Job Interview Preparation Course: Common questions and the STAR method

1. Question 1 of 17

   What does a behavioural interview question ask about?

   • AYour opinion of the company's products
   • BYour personal life and family outside of work
   • CHow you acted in a real past situation
   • DWhat you would do in an imaginary future situation
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   Answer: C. How you acted in a real past situation

   Behavioural questions ask for past examples, because how you acted before suggests how you will act again.

2. Question 2 of 17

   "Tell me about a time when you had to meet a tight deadline." What type of question is this?

   • ABehavioural
   • BSalary negotiation
   • CClosed yes-or-no
   • DHypothetical
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   Answer: A. Behavioural

   "Tell me about a time when…" asks about a real past event, which makes it a behavioural question.

3. Question 3 of 17

   "What would you do if a customer started yelling at you?" What type of question is this?

   • AA reference-check question
   • BBehavioural (past example)
   • CA screening test question
   • DHypothetical (situational)
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   Answer: D. Hypothetical (situational)

   "What would you do if…" asks about an imagined situation, so it is hypothetical. Describe the steps you would take.

4. Question 4 of 17

   In the STAR method, what do the four letters stand for?

   • ASituation, Task, Action, Result
   • BSituation, Team, Attitude, Reason
   • CSkills, Training, Attitude, Responsibility
   • DStart, Talk, Answer, Repeat
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   Answer: A. Situation, Task, Action, Result

   STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result. It keeps your example short and complete.

5. Question 5 of 17

   Some guides use STARS instead of STAR. What does the extra S stand for?

   • AA summary of your whole résumé
   • BThe skills you used
   • CYour supervisor's name and job title
   • DThe salary you expect for the job
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   Answer: B. The skills you used

   In STARS, the final S is for Skills: name the skills your example shows, such as communication or teamwork.

6. Question 6 of 17

   In the Action part of a STAR answer, what should you focus on?

   • AWhat the whole team did, using only "we"
   • BThe specific steps you took yourself
   • CThe history and size of the company
   • DHow tired or stressed you felt that day
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   Answer: B. The specific steps you took yourself

   The Action part shows what you did. Be specific and say "I" so the interviewer can see your own role.

7. Question 7 of 17

   Which detail makes the Result part of a STAR answer stronger?

   • AA longer and more detailed description of the situation
   • BA promise to try harder next time
   • CA complete list of everyone else who helped
   • DA measurable outcome, such as fewer complaints
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   Answer: D. A measurable outcome, such as fewer complaints

   Results are more convincing with numbers. Say what changed because of your actions.

8. Question 8 of 17

   About how long should each part of a STAR answer be?

   • AAbout two to four sentences
   • BAt least five minutes for each part
   • COne word for each part
   • DAbout one full page for each part
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   Answer: A. About two to four sentences

   Keep each letter to about two to four sentences so the answer is complete but not rambling.

9. Question 9 of 17

   What is a good answer to "Tell me about yourself"?

   • AYour life story, starting from where you grew up as a child
   • BA short summary of your relevant skills, linked to this job
   • CA list of your hobbies, favourite foods and family details
   • DA word-for-word reading of every line on your résumé
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   Answer: B. A short summary of your relevant skills, linked to this job

   This question is your chance to interest the interviewer. Focus on what makes you a good fit for this job.

10. Question 10 of 17

    Which answer to "What is your greatest weakness?" is strongest?

    • A"I'm a perfectionist, and honestly I just work too hard."
    • B"To be honest, I don't think I have any weaknesses at all."
    • C"I used to rush emails, so now I reread each one first."
    • D"I'm often late for shifts, but I always stay a bit later."
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    Answer: C. "I used to rush emails, so now I reread each one first."

    Choose a real weakness that will not stop you doing the job and explain how you are improving. Lateness would hurt most jobs.

11. Question 11 of 17

    Why is "I'm a perfectionist" usually a weak answer to the weakness question?

    • AIt sounds like a disguised strength
    • BIt tells the employer that you have a disability
    • CBeing careful is never useful in any kind of work
    • DIt is against the law to say it in a job interview
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    Answer: A. It sounds like a disguised strength

    Disguised strengths are easy to see through. An honest weakness plus a plan to improve shows self-awareness.

12. Question 12 of 17

    In a first interview you are asked about salary. What is usually the best approach?

    • ASay you will accept any amount at all, so they are sure to hire you
    • BTry to wait for an offer; if pressed, give a researched range
    • CName the highest figure you can think of and do not move from it
    • DRefuse to answer, thank them, and end the interview right away
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    Answer: B. Try to wait for an offer; if pressed, give a researched range

    It is best to avoid a specific number before an offer. If pressed, give the typical range for the work in your area.

13. Question 13 of 17

    You are asked why you left your last job. Which approach is best?

    • ABe honest and calm, and say what you learned
    • BChange the subject to your hobbies and interests
    • CExplain in detail why your old manager treated you unfairly
    • DSay you have never left a job, even if you have
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    Answer: A. Be honest and calm, and say what you learned

    Stay honest, positive and unemotional. Criticizing a past employer makes the interviewer wonder what you would say about them.

14. Question 14 of 17

    You are asked about a time you made a mistake. Which example works best?

    • AA statement that you have never made a mistake at work
    • BA story where a co-worker caused the whole problem
    • CA real mistake, how you fixed it and what you changed
    • DA safety mistake that you decided not to report to anyone
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    Answer: C. A real mistake, how you fixed it and what you changed

    Pick a real example with a positive ending. Show how you fixed it and what you learned.

15. Question 15 of 17

    Weak answer: "I'm a great team player. Everyone likes working with me." What would improve it most?

    • AAdd a real example with your actions and the result
    • BSay the same thing again with more confidence in your voice
    • CMention that your friends and family agree with you
    • DAdd stronger words, such as "amazing" and "outstanding"
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    Answer: A. Add a real example with your actions and the result

    Claims alone prove nothing. A STAR example shows the interviewer what you did and what happened.

16. Question 16 of 17

    You do not understand an interview question. What should you do?

    • AGuess what they meant and answer as quickly as you can
    • BStay silent until they move on to the next question
    • CGive a different answer that you prepared earlier
    • DPolitely ask the interviewer to repeat or rephrase it
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    Answer: D. Politely ask the interviewer to repeat or rephrase it

    Asking for a question to be repeated or rephrased is normal and better than answering the wrong question.

17. Question 17 of 17

    "What would you do if you saw a co-worker doing something unsafe?" Which way of answering is strongest?

    • AGive a one-word answer, such as "report", and stop there
    • BSay that it would never happen at a workplace you work at
    • CExplain the steps you would take, in order
    • DSay you would mind your own business to avoid any conflict
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    Answer: C. Explain the steps you would take, in order

    For hypothetical questions, walk the interviewer through clear steps. A real example makes your answer more believable.

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