Interviewers like to ask questions that require the interviewees to quote examples. Such questions usually fall under the category of competency-based behavioral questions. The examples quoted will give the interviewers an idea of the quality of work they can expect from you in the future.

Knowing such questions are important but what is more crucial is to identify good examples to support your answer. What to say in your answer so that the interviewer listens and gets the most important point is very crucial.

How to identify good examples? If you have trouble coming up with one, ask for help. Your superiors, colleagues, and anyone that work closely with you may be able to point to you some things you’ve done that demonstrate how competent you are.

First off, you must feel comfortable talking about your strengths and do not look at it as bragging. Remember, in an interview - modesty is never a virtue. It is totally okay to talk about what you are good at and your accomplishments.

Ok, what are GOOD examples?

• There are always 3 stages – a situation; the action that you have taken; the outcome of your action. Follow this order and you won’t go wrong.

• Your explanation must be focused. Keep your answers crisp and leave out the unnecessary details so that the interviewer does not loses the main points.

• Also, do not leave your best point at the end – the interviewer may have stopped listening by then!

• Use conversational language, not switch to a formal tone that sounded as though you picked the lines from a book.

• Avoid controversial examples even though you may have tons of them. Be wise.

A simple example that has all the above ingredients…

A Retail Assistant attended an interview for position as Retail Supervisor for a Fashion Boutique

Question: Describe a time you applied your best customer service skills.

Answer:

A situation: Our shop was having our “Raya Sales” last year. It was packed. The queue was long at the changing rooms. There was one particular customer in the queue and she was having a variety of clothes that she wanted to try on. At the same time, she was also holding a number of bags. I saw from her countenance that she was a bit agitated.

The action that you have taken: I offered to hold the clothes that she wanted to try on. I also provided chairs and stools, whatever we can find in the store room for all the waiting customers to sit on while they wait.

The outcome of your action: The next day, the same customer came back with another friend. She told my Manager that she came back because she was impressed with the service that I had provided the day before.