Become Inspired

Become a star with this killer interview technique

·  Use this technique to frame your interview answers

·  This is a way to sort out your preparation 

·  Situation-based questions can often be asked, so it’s good to be prepared

·  Gives you a bit of a framework to answer the question more effectively

·  Use this technique, not as a template but more as a guide

·  You don’t want to sound robotic 

S.T.A.R. stands for:

·  Situation

·  Task

·  Action

·  Result

Situation:Part of the interviewing process is a bit like storytelling (truthful stories!), so you want to be engaging as possible when explaining the situation. 

Task: What were you asked to do? What was the objective? What did you need to achieve to get the desired result?

Action:What did you actually do?

Result:Talk about tangible results

Remember to keep it engaging and succinct. Keep it as relevant to the question

It is really beneficial to try this out with your friends using this technique or write it out or speak it out, for practice. Muscle memory, it goes in a bit more and you will much more prepared for your interview!

Here are some examples to help you:

Example 1- Question: Tell me about the time you had to resolve conflict?

Let’s use the frame work for this question:

·  Situation: During this time I was working for (company), this was the size of the team, we had a tricky client with super high expectations. They made a complaint. 

·  Task: I was involved in smoothing out the relationship.

·  Action: I conducted a phone call with the client, listened and worked through their concerns to come to a resolution

·  Result: Due to inefficiency in the team,  further training was provided. I took over the next 3 months to manage the account and our sales went up etc. 

Using this format demonstrates, good communication and leadership skills.

Example 2 

·  Situation: We provided a weekly magazine, which had a strict timeline. The printer let us down and this threw everything out and we risked missing the deadline. 

·  Task: I had to ensure the magazine was printed on time. 

·  Action: I spoke to three new printers and negotiated new rates and managed to secure a better rate overall.

·  Result: We now have a back-up printer for future situations like this. I made sure this, doesn’t happen again.

It’s more for you to get this in your mind. You should practise this at home, it’s a muscle memory. Say it out loud, so it is much easier to recall.

Go through the job description, see what they’re looking for and come up with an example and think of why you’re right for the role and why they should hire you. 

Keep it engaging and get enough detail so you can really paint the picture. 

Visit us at: www.becomerecuitment.com/podcast 

This is a great resource to see examples of situational based questions you may be asked: https://insightsresources.seek.com.au/page/interview-building-tool

Hope this podcast has been useful and makes a difference for when you’re interviewing. Good luck!J

Common Mistakes Jobseekers Make 

Hosted by David Valks & Ashely Dodd 

10 common mistakes that job seekers make when applying for new roles 

Today’s podcast is to help guide you to land that dream job! 

1.    Using an unprofessional photo  

•    Either on CV or LinkedIn, linking social media to a professional profile. Our advice is to take your photo off – some people just don’t like photos 

•    If you do have one, you should get it right. Personal Facebook, e.g. night out, as pretty as you might look, is not appropriate 

•    It does reflect on you. Inject personality but keep it in the parameters of professionalism. We do not mean using a stock photo of yourself or shirt & tie. Should reflect your personality but just got to be careful 

•    Clients do look up candidates on social media to check if they’re a good fit for them 

•    Look at it objectively, how does your profile present to clients? 

•    Content is relevant to yourself and brand – Linkedin, Facebook etc.  

•    Must be in good taste 

2.    Not tailoring your application to the role that you’re applying for 

•    Applying for the wrong type of roles 

•    Provide too much detail of irrelevant experience, jobs that have completely no relevance for the one you are applying for 

•    Remember to keep it relevant 

•    Adding jobs to your CV that were 10 years ago 

•    It’s about drawing client’s attention to where you want it to be 

3.    Tailoring the cover letter to the relevance of what you’re applying for 

•    Hiring managers will glance at CVs and cover letters 

•    Provide key information at the top of the CV  

•    Agencies will look for other agency competitors on your CV, where there are transferable skills 

•    You can still include retail experience if it goes well with role eg. project management or account services 

•    Make cover letter relevant to make application – really stand out 

4.    What makes your CV relevant  

•    Having a CV that’s too lengthy, e.g. 12 pages is too long 

•    Keep CV to 1-2 pages max, 3 pages is a real push 

•    Make every word count! 

•    Every word you write is a chance to sell yourself to the future employer 

•    In terms of education, no need to state primary school. Higher education and above is all you need 

5.    Sending out a generic cover letter 

•    Addressing the wrong person, wrong company, really shows lack of care 

•    Cover letter – use this to explain succinctly your situation, e.g. moving interstates, your visa etc. include these key details. Or if your wishing to make a career move from Account Executive moving to design etc.  

•    Write these details in an email is fine too, can be in place of a cover letter 

•    Make it good, if you do have a Cover Letter,  make it count, make it stand out, don’t just say I’m good at team working!  

6.    Spelling and grammar 

•    No excuses! – especially in this day and age, you have access to Spell Check and Grammarly for example 

•    It only takes 5 minut

What we’re exploring today:

Who is this episode for?

Let's start by…

Explaining what a UX researcher does?

Explaining what a UX designer does?

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