How to master situational questions in job interviews

By Kirstie McDermott

When you're looking for a new role, it can be really difficult to estimate how long that search will take. And it could be quite some time: research has found that in 2023, it took an average of 44 days to appoint people, up from 43 days in 2022.

The picture looks different depending on the industry you work in. Energy and defense has the longest time-to-hire rates at over 67 days, with investment banking taking up to 60 days. In professional services you can expect an average time-to-hire of 47 days, with tech and media taking about 20 days.

In better news for those seeking to work in the retail and consumer sectors, these areas had the shortest time-to-hire rates.

It's not surprising then that by the time you've managed to secure a job interview, you may already be feeling pretty tapped out. Job hunting can take a huge amount of time and mental effort, leaving candidates exhausted before they've even had a screening call with a recruiter.

Get a handle on situational questioning
Given the context of job hunters placing so much focus on securing an interview, having to actually prepare for one can come as a bit of a rude awakening.

One of the elements of a job interview that can really trip you up are situational questions. These are when your interviewer asks you to tell them about a time you handled a specific issue or task.

You might be asked, "Tell me about a time you received a complaint from an employee about harassment in the workplace. How did you handle this situation?"

Or, you could be asked to tell the interviewer about a time you implemented a new HR process or system, and how you both did that, and communicated it across the business. How did you deal with any push back?
 
The purpose of these questions is to delve into your career history and experience in order to be able to accurately assess how you'd handle specific situations or challenges that may arise in the role you're applying for.

The interviewer wants to evaluate your problem-solving abilities, decision-making skills, and how well you might gel within the company culture.

Having a few scenarios in your back pocket is essential for interview prep. Review your resume or work history, pick out a couple of case studies from each job you've had and prepare a short summary for each. You'll want to succinctly explain the problem or scenario, as well as provide a rationale for what you did, and what the outcome was.

Doing this ensures you're never stumped when an interviewer asks you to "tell me about a time when…" You can roll out your prepared example, sound confident and polished––and put yourself in the very best position to secure the role.

Ready to put your experience to the test? Then the Employee Benefit News Job Board is the perfect place to focus your search. It features thousands of openings in companies that are actively hiring, including the three below.

Senior Human Resources Coordinator, Nestlé Purina Pet Care, Saint Joseph
As Senior Human Resources Coordinator, you'll help lead activities concerning employees' benefits, leave administration, attendance, job bidding, and training, as you play an integral role in both internal and external plant relations, including community interactions, recruitment events, employee events and celebrations. Additionally, you'll assist in recordkeeping, maintaining HR files and databases, track and administer the attendance program, including FMLA and Short-Term Disability, and leverage emerging technology to support data tracking and analysis, among other tasks. You will need a High School Diploma or GED equivalent, as well as two or more years' of clerical/administrative experience in a manufacturing, production, military, or related environment. Interested? Get all the details.

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NPH is the largest hospital system in the nation providing care to patients with both neurological and medical needs. As HR Director, you'll be located at Medical Behavioral Hospital in Clear Lake, and will manage a human resources department, oversee administration of hiring, retention, termination, personnel records, legal compliance, compensation, benefits, and long-term staffing strategies. Responsibilities include development and administration of personnel rules and regulations, pay and job classification structure. Experience in a healthcare setting is preferred, and you'll also need a Bachelor's degree in a related field, plus a combination of knowledge and experience in HR. Apply for this position here.

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Working to create employment and career opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired, Beyond Vision is seeking a HR Leader to join its team. In this role, the successful candidate will perform the day-to-day operations and admin of all phases of the HR function, including admin of employee benefits, employee engagement, training and development, worker's compensation, safety, recruit, performance management and overall compliance with company policies and broader laws. A passion for the organization's mission is important, as is having strong Servant leadership characteristics, at least three years experience, and a four-year degree. Apply now.

Find your next role today via the Employee Benefit News Job Board