Here's how you can excel in answering behavioral interview questions.

To excel in answering behavioral interview questions, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). First, clearly describe the Situation or Task you faced. Outline the specific Actions you took, emphasizing your role and decision-making process. Highlight the Results achieved, quantifying outcomes when possible to demonstrate your impact. Tailor each response to showcase relevant skills and experiences, aligning them with the job requirements. Practice articulating your answers concisely and confidently, focusing on how your past achievements and behaviors align with the company's values and goals.

The STAR method, while useful, can sometimes make responses sound overly rehearsed and robotic. Acknowledging its structure helps in organizing thoughts, but too rigid an application can strip away authenticity. Warren Buffett said, "The best investment you can make is in yourself," emphasizing the importance of genuine self-presentation. Use STAR as a guideline, but let your personality and unique experiences shine through to avoid sounding like a scripted automaton.

Interestingly enough, as someone who has done my fair share of being the interviewer, a candidate using the STAR method stands out. It shows at the very least that some prep and diligence has gone into the interview. The key then is to find out whether they HAVE to follow a set model for everything, or whether they actually have the ability to creatively and critically think for themselves. Still - great for the "tell me about a time when..." questions.

Excelling in answering behavioral interview questions starts with Understanding STAR. Imagine telling a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. By structuring your answers this way, you clearly explain the context, your responsibilities, the actions you took, and the outcomes. This method makes your answers logical and easy to follow, showcasing your skills and experiences effectively. Mastering STAR helps you provide compelling and well-organized responses during interviews.

The way to excel in answering behavioural questions is simple. Be your self. That’s it. Anything more doesn’t make sense. Why would you need to prepare to answer who you are? Indeed the more you prepare the more prepared it looks.

Reflecting deeply prior to an interview is a great way to prepare and contemplate past experiences. Using the STAR method as a way to think about what you've done to produce results is a great place to start. There are lists of "Top Asked Behavioral Questions" on Google. Focus on 3-5 areas of your experience where you've produced results and reflect on those experiences. What went well? What could've been better? What was the feedback you received? What impact did it make? How will this translate into the role you are applying for? Then, remain curious! Keep asking yourself questions about the experience. And if you are struggling to find ways to reflect, walk through your resume with a career coach, mentor, recruiter, or friend.

You can practise. But don’t roll out those pre practised answers in the interview. . You need to tell it as it is. Not how you practised it.

Tailoring examples can sometimes lead to cherry-picking experiences that might not give a full picture of your capabilities. It's beneficial to align your stories with job descriptions, but it can also paint an incomplete narrative of your versatility. As Elon Musk noted, "If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it." Ensure your examples showcase a wide range of skills, demonstrating adaptability beyond the specific job criteria.

One thing I recommend is keeping a "brag book" of your results. This can be in your email, in your notes app, in a word document, or all of the above. This can include emails from colleagues, bosses, clients, etc. This "brag book" should also have your thoughts! You should make an effort to write down what projects you contributed to, how you produced results, where you showcased leadership skills, what transferrable skills you learned from the project/quarter/year, etc. A brag book is a great way to keep track of your accomplishment so you can showcase growth to the interviewer.

Consider the power of storytelling to make your experiences memorable and impactful. Most advice focuses on structure and content, but delivery is equally crucial. Steve Jobs famously said, "The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller." Craft your responses like compelling stories, engaging your interviewer emotionally and intellectually, ensuring you leave a lasting impression.