Interview Preparation Worksheet

(Use this worksheet to identify your strengths, accomplishments, and initial STAR story ideas before your coaching session.)

1. Self-Assessment: Strengths & Skills

List your top 5 strengths or skills that are most relevant to the role you’re pursuing. For each, write a brief example of when you demonstrated it.

1. Strength/Skill: _______________________________
   Example: _______________________________________

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1. Strength/Skill: _______________________________
   Example: _______________________________________

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1. Strength/Skill: _______________________________
   Example: _______________________________________

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1. Strength/Skill: _______________________________
   Example: _______________________________________

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1. Strength/Skill: _______________________________
   Example: _______________________________________

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2. Key Accomplishments

Describe three significant accomplishments. Include context, your role, and the impact.

Accomplishment #1:
Context & Role: ____________________________________

Outcome/Impact: ___________________________________

Accomplishment #2:
Context & Role: ____________________________________

Outcome/Impact: ___________________________________

Accomplishment #3:
Context & Role: ____________________________________

Outcome/Impact: ___________________________________

3. Aligning to Job Requirements

Identify up to 5 key requirements from the job description and note which strength or accomplishment best addresses each.

Requirement 1: _______________________________
Linked Strength/Accomplishment: __________________

Requirement 2: _______________________________
Linked Strength/Accomplishment: __________________

Requirement 3: _______________________________
Linked Strength/Accomplishment: __________________

Requirement 4: _______________________________
Linked Strength/Accomplishment: __________________

Requirement 5: _______________________________
Linked Strength/Accomplishment: __________________

4. STAR Story Outline

Select one accomplishment above to develop a STAR response.

Situation: Describe the context.

Task: What was your responsibility or goal?

Action: What steps did you take?

Result: What was the outcome and impact? (Quantify if possible.)

5. Reflection & Next Steps

1. Which part of your story do you feel needs the most polish?

1. What questions or scenarios make you feel least confident?

1. Goals before our next session (e.g., practice responses, research company):

Bring this completed worksheet to your coaching session to streamline our practice and feedback.

STAR Method Guide

The STAR Method is a simple framework for structuring your responses to behavioral interview questions. By breaking your answer into four clear parts—Situation, Task, Action, Result—you ensure your story is concise, relevant, and memorable.

Why Use the STAR Method?

• Provides a logical flow to your answer
• Keeps you focused on what matters to the interviewer
• Highlights your skills and impact with concrete examples

The Four STAR Components

1. Situation

Briefly set the scene. Describe the context or challenge you faced.
• Be specific about when and where it happened.
• Keep this part to one or two sentences.

Example: “In my last role at XYZ Corp, our team was behind schedule on a critical software release due to unexpected bugs.”

2. Task

Explain your responsibility or goal in that situation.
• What was expected of you?
• What objective did you have to meet?

Example: “As the lead QA analyst, I was tasked with coordinating the testing efforts to ensure we met our launch deadline.”

3. Action

Describe the specific steps you took to address the task.
• Focus on your contributions—use “I” statements.
• Include any tools, methods, or teamwork involved.

Example: “I reorganized the test plan to prioritize high-risk areas, held daily bug triage meetings with developers, and automated repetitive tests to save time.”

4. Result

Share the outcome and impact of your actions.
• Quantify results when possible (e.g., percentages, dollars, time saved).
• Highlight positive feedback or recognition.

Example: “We resolved 95% of critical defects in one week, released on schedule, and received praise from senior leadership for our efficiency.”

Sample STAR Story

Question: “Tell me about a time you led a project under a tight deadline.”

Situation: “Last quarter, our marketing team needed to launch a new campaign in two weeks—half the usual time.”

Task: “As project coordinator, I had to organize tasks, manage stakeholders, and ensure timely delivery of all assets.”

Action: “I created a detailed timeline with daily milestones, assigned clear responsibilities, and set up mid-day check-ins to catch issues early. I also negotiated extended hours with the design team to keep us on track.”

Result: “We launched on time, drove a 20% increase in lead generation that month, and the campaign became a template for future fast-turnaround projects.”

Tips for Success

• Be concise. Aim for 1–2 minutes per answer.
• Practice aloud. Recording yourself helps smooth your delivery.
• Tailor stories. Choose examples that align with the job requirements.
• Prepare several. Have at least 3–5 STAR stories ready for common themes (teamwork, leadership, problem-solving).

Use this guide to craft and rehearse your stories before your next interview. Good luck!

Common Interview Questions Handout

Use these questions to practice your responses before an interview. Frame each answer using the STAR Method from STAR Method Guide.

Behavioral Questions

• Tell me about a time you overcame a significant challenge at work.

• Describe a situation where you took the initiative to improve a process.

• Give an example of how you handled conflict with a coworker or supervisor.

• Tell me about a time you failed or made a mistake—and what you learned.

• Share an experience where you had to adapt to a major change on the job.

• Describe a time you worked on a team to achieve a goal. What was your role?

• Tell me about a project you led under a tight deadline.

• Give an example of when you demonstrated leadership outside of a formal title.

• Describe a time you solved a complex problem with limited resources.

• Tell me about a time you received constructive feedback. How did you respond?

Situational Questions

• If you disagreed with a manager’s decision, how would you handle it?

• How would you respond if you realized you’d miss a critical deadline?

• You have multiple high-priority tasks—how would you prioritize them?

• How would you handle an upset or difficult customer?

• What would you do if you noticed an inefficient process on your team?

• If assigned a project outside your expertise, how would you get up to speed?

How to Use This Handout

1. Choose at least five questions that feel most relevant or challenging.
2. Write and practice your answers using the STAR Method from STAR Method Guide.
3. Practice aloud—record yourself or role-play with a friend to build confidence.
4. Refine your stories, focusing on clear context, your actions, and measurable results.

Mock Interview Scenarios

Use these scenarios to practice your responses in a realistic, time-pressured setting. Have the coach read each prompt aloud, then answer using the STAR Method. Pause after each for feedback before moving on.

Behavioral Scenarios

1. Resolving Team Conflict
   “Tell me about a time you stepped in to resolve a conflict between colleagues. What was the situation, and how did you handle it?”

1. Process Improvement
   “Describe an instance when you identified an inefficient process and took the initiative to improve it. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?”

1. Learning from Failure
   “Give an example of a project or task that didn’t go as planned. How did you respond, and what did you learn?”

1. High-Pressure Teamwork
   “Share a time when your team faced a tight deadline. What role did you play, and how did you ensure success?”

1. Accepting Feedback
   “Tell me about a time you received constructive criticism. How did you react, and what changes did you make?”

Situational Scenarios

1. Competing Deadlines
   “You have two equally critical projects due at the same time but limited resources. How would you prioritize and communicate with stakeholders?”

1. Handling an Upset Client
   “A key client approaches you upset about a missed milestone. How would you address their concerns and restore trust?”

1. Learning on the Fly
   “If you were assigned a project outside your expertise with only one week to deliver, what would be your first steps?”

1. Questioning a Manager’s Decision
   “Your manager rolls out a new process you believe will slow down the team. How would you handle this situation?”

1. Correcting a Public Mistake
   “Imagine you discover a critical error in a report that’s already been shared with executives. What actions would you take?”

How to Use These Scenarios
• Alternate between behavioral and situational prompts to vary practice.
• Time each response (1–2 minutes) and track pacing.
• After each role-play, use the Feedback & Reflection Form to note strengths and areas to refine.
• Rotate roles if practicing with a peer—switch between interviewer and interviewee.

Feedback & Reflection Form

Use this form to record targeted feedback on your STAR responses during mock interviews. Complete one form per response.

1. Question / Prompt

Describe the question or scenario you responded to:

2. STAR Structure

Situation – Was the context clear and concise?

Task – Did you clearly state your role or objective?

Action – Were your steps detailed and relevant?

Result – Did you quantify impact and close the story?

3. Content Feedback

Strengths – What content or examples worked well?

Areas for Improvement – What could be more compelling or focused?

4. Delivery & Presence

Tone & Pace – Was your speaking style engaging and at the right speed?

Body Language & Eye Contact – How effective was your nonverbal communication?

5. Confidence & Professionalism

Overall Confidence – How confident and poised did you appear?

Professionalism – Was your language and demeanor appropriate?

6. Action Plan / Next Steps

List 1–2 specific goals or practices to work on before your next mock or real interview: