SHARE Method
What are Behavioral-Based Interviews?
Behavioral-based interviewing is a structured interviewing strategy built on the premise that past behavior is the best predictor of future performance in similar circumstances. The interviewer probes for behavioral evidence of what the candidate said, did, felt, and thought, and what were the results. Behavioral-based interviewing allows the interviewer to gather evidence for critical capabilities in a way that is most likely to ensure that a person both possesses these capabilities and is likely to demonstrate them in future situations. It is these critical capabilities, called success factors that identify the very best performers in each job. Success factors include technical or job specific knowledge and skills, general abilities (communication skills, customer service orientation, etc.), behavioral traits or competencies (initiative results orientation, risk taking, etc.).
SHARE Method
Situation: by describing the situation in which you were operating
Hindrances: describe any constraints or hindrances on your actions
Actions: explain exactly what you did
Results: describe the results that can be attributed to your actions
Evaluations: summarize the example with a positive evaluation
Important Points About Behavioral-Based Interviews:
In the interview, your response needs to be specific and detailed. Tell them about a particular situation that relates specifically to the question, and the skills they have indicated they are looking for. Tell them briefly the situation, what you did specifically, and the positive result or outcome (quantify if at all possible).
Since behavioral interview questions ask you a lot about what you did in a specific situation. It is good to prepare for such questions with the SHARE model so that the hiring manager can easily follow your line of thought.
Use a story using SHARE to answer these questions. SHARE is very good in this case because it described a problem, how you approached it, and what you gained from the experience. It shows off your strength.
Getting Prepared:
Just Like Taking A Test
Preparing for an interview is no different than preparing for a test. Instead of researching a topic, it’s time to research your experiences, successes, and skills.
Brainstorm
Think of difficult and challenging situations you have overcome. Also, think of relative successes, achievements, and improvements you have experienced. When brainstorming, you want to think like the hiring manager and learn what challenges they have in the position.
Pull Out A Notebook
Pull out your trusted notebook and write each situation on a separate page. Then, go back to each page and start filling in the details as they relate to each letter in SHARE.
Practice
Practice makes perfect. Rehearse each situation into a 2-3-minute answer. Then, start practicing with someone so you can get comfortable answering questions without your notebook. Be careful if you start talking too much. The idea is to have concise but effective answers.
