Skip to main content

Behavioral Interview Cheatsheet

STAR Method Framework​

  • Situation: Set the scene and context
  • Task: Describe your responsibility or the challenge
  • Action: Explain specifically what you did
  • Result: Share the outcomes and learnings

Key Categories to Prepare​

Leadership & Impact​

  • Example topics:
    • Leading a project with tight deadlines
    • Resolving team conflicts
    • Driving change or improvements
    • Mentoring/developing others
    • Making difficult decisions

Problem Solving & Innovation​

  • Example topics:
    • Overcoming technical challenges
    • Improving inefficient processes
    • Handling resource constraints
    • Implementing new solutions
    • Managing ambiguous situations

Collaboration & Communication​

  • Example topics:
    • Working with difficult teammates
    • Cross-functional collaboration
    • Giving/receiving feedback
    • Managing up effectively
    • Building consensus

Failure & Growth​

  • Example topics:
    • Projects that didn't succeed
    • Mistakes and learnings
    • Adapting to change
    • Receiving critical feedback
    • Overcoming setbacks

Story Bank Template​

Story Structure​

  1. Context (30 seconds)

    • Company/team setting
    • Timeline
    • Initial situation

  2. Challenge (30 seconds)

    • Specific problem/task
    • Stakes involved
    • Your role

  3. Actions (2-3 minutes)

    • Key decisions made
    • Steps taken
    • Skills demonstrated
    • Obstacles overcome

  4. Results (30 seconds)

    • Quantitative impact
    • Qualitative outcomes
    • Lessons learned
    • Follow-up actions

Common Questions & Themes​

Leadership​

  • "Tell me about a time you led a project"
  • "How do you motivate others?"
  • "Describe a situation where you influenced without authority"

Conflict Resolution​

  • "Tell me about a disagreement with a colleague"
  • "How do you handle difficult teammates?"
  • "Describe negotiating a challenging situation"

Initiative & Drive​

  • "When did you go above and beyond?"
  • "Tell me about a time you saw a problem and fixed it"
  • "How do you handle ambitious goals?"

Failure & Learning​

  • "Describe your biggest professional mistake"
  • "Tell me about a failed project"
  • "How do you handle setbacks?"

Best Practices​

Preparation Tips​

  1. Prepare 6-8 strong stories that can be adapted
  2. Include metrics and specific details
  3. Focus on your individual contributions
  4. Keep stories under 4 minutes
  5. Practice out loud

During the Interview​

  1. Listen carefully to the question
  2. Take a moment to choose the best story
  3. Structure your response using STAR
  4. Be specific about your actions
  5. Focus on positive outcomes and learnings

Common Mistakes to Avoid​

  1. Being too vague or general
  2. Taking credit for team efforts
  3. Not explaining your rationale
  4. Forgetting to share results
  5. Missing the actual question asked

Company-Specific Values​

Amazon Leadership Principles​

  • Customer Obsession
  • Ownership
  • Invent and Simplify
  • Learn and Be Curious
  • Think Big
  • Bias for Action
  • Frugality
  • Deliver Results

Google Attributes​

  • General Cognitive Ability
  • Leadership
  • Googleyness
  • Role-Related Knowledge

Microsoft Values​

  • Growth Mindset
  • Customer Focus
  • Innovation
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • One Microsoft

Follow-up Questions to Prepare​

  1. What would you do differently?
  2. How did you measure success?
  3. What were the key learnings?
  4. How did this change your approach?
  5. What feedback did you receive?