Desempeño bajo presión: Técnica STAR en entrevistas laborales

Clase 18 de 30 • Curso de Inglés para Entrevistas de Trabajo

Resumen

¿Cómo responder con éxito a preguntas conductuales y situacionales en entrevistas de trabajo?

Las entrevistas de trabajo suelen ser escenarios desafiantes donde demostramos nuestras habilidades y aptitudes a posibles empleadores. Las preguntas conductuales y situacionales son cada vez más frecuentes en estos entornos. Estas preguntas no solo evalúan tus habilidades técnicas, sino también tus capacidades interpersonales y cómo manejas el estrés. Aquí te guiaremos en cómo abordar estas preguntas utilizando el método STAR y otros consejos valiosos. Prepárate para destacar y garantizar que tu experiencia realmente brille durante la entrevista.

¿Qué es el método STAR y cómo utilizarlo?

El método STAR es una técnica eficaz para estructurar tus respuestas a preguntas conductuales. Este método consiste en:

S (Situation): Describe una situación específica del pasado laboral que sea relevante para la pregunta.
T (Task): Explica la tarea o desafío que enfrentaste en esa situación.
A (Action): Detalla las acciones específicas que tomaste para afrontar la tarea.
R (Result): Muestra el resultado de tus acciones y si lograron un impacto positivo.

Para maximizar el impacto de tus respuestas:

Mantén tus ejemplos relevantes para el puesto al que aplicas.
Prepara ejemplos específicos antes de la entrevista.
Proporciona un contexto sólido de la situación.
Resalta tu mejor trabajo y logros.

¿Cómo diferenciar las preguntas conductuales de las situacionales?

Una comprensión clara de estos dos tipos de preguntas puede marcar una gran diferencia en tu desempeño:

Preguntas conductuales: Se centran en experiencias pasadas y cómo las manejaste. Ejemplo: Describe una vez en la que trabajaste bajo presión.
Preguntas situacionales: Son hipotéticas y se enfocan en cómo abordarías un problema potencial. Ejemplo: ¿Qué harías si un cliente no está satisfecho con tu servicio?

Al responder preguntas situacionales, te recomendamos incluir:

Cómo afrontarías el problema.
Las acciones específicas que tomarías.
Los beneficios de tu solución para la empresa.

Estas respuestas no solo muestran tus habilidades de resolución de problemas, sino que también evidencian tu capacidad de decisión y estrategia.

¿Cuáles son los consejos clave para abordar estas preguntas?

Responder efectivamente a estas preguntas requiere práctica y un enfoque estratégico:

Escucha atentamente: Tómate un momento para comprender plenamente la pregunta antes de responder.
Repite la pregunta: Esto te da tiempo para pensar y formular una respuesta coherente.
Honestidad ante todo: No inventes historias ni mientas sobre tus experiencias.

Al preparar tus respuestas, considera las habilidades requeridas para el rol y cómo las has aplicado en experiencias similares. Destaca cómo estas habilidades beneficiaron a tus empleadores anteriores y pueden aportar valor a la nueva empresa.

En la sección de recursos de la clase, encontrarás un PDF con ejemplos y una lista de posibles preguntas. Te animamos a seleccionar tres preguntas, preparar tus respuestas y compartirlas en los comentarios. Practicar y planificar de antemano serán tus mejores aliados para brillar en la próxima entrevista. ¡No dejes que la presión te frene, úsala como motor para demostrar tu valía!

Yosmely Bermudez

student•

Hey, it's missing the PDF with the list of possible questions. BTW, what an excellent course! :)

Sura Naileth Cedeño Lopez

Team Platzi•

Hola si está el pdf, se llama behavioral -question example- está en los archivos de la clase.

Roberto Patrón

student•

But on the document there aren´t the common questions related to behavior as the teacher said.

Sergio Brandon De Lucio Chavero

student•

I completely love the STAR method, because is so well structured and is relatively easy to remember. :3

Carolina Melendez

student•

This course is great¡

Diego Felipe Cristancho Ortiz

student•

Resume

Use STAR Method: A structures manner of responding to be a behavioral - bsaed interview question by discussing the specific situation, task, action, and result of the situation you are describing.

When using this method:

• Keep it relevant

• Have examples ready

• Give proper context

• Show off your work

Situational Questions: Hipothetical questions

Behavioral Questions: Have to do with situation that you have in the past and how you handled it

Santiago Tellez Hernandez

student•

During the development of my first projects as an engineer the client requirement was new for me, in that case, what I did was, first search on the internet about the equipment they would use inside the substation, how it works to get an idea, after that I ask some of my co-workers about how the client used to prefer the design, if the idea that I had to solve the problem had a good approach or not, and I received different pieces of advice, so I could improve my design and comply the client requirements.

Zaidibeth Ramos

student•

where are the possible questions?🥺

Carolina Boquín

teacher•

They were added to the resources section of this class

Gabriel Obregón

student•

How to answer: "Describe a time in which you performed under pressure"

This is a behavioral question that you can answer using the STAR method. The STAR method helps you structure your response by focusing on:

S for Situation
T for Task
A for Action
R for Result

Tips for using the STAR method

Keep your answer relevant to the role you’re applying for.
Prepare examples before the interview.
Provide context for the situation you are describing.
Highlight your best work by choosing strong examples that showcase your skills.

Behavioral vs. situational questions

Behavioral questions:
- Focus on past situations you have faced and how you handled them.
- Example: "Describe a time when you performed under pressure."
Situational questions:
- Hypothetical scenarios that ask how you would handle a certain situation.
- Example: "What would you do if you faced a tight deadline?"

Tips for answering situational questions

Describe your approach to facing the problem.
Explain the steps you would take to solve it.
Highlight how your solution benefits the company.

These questions will showcase your grammar skills in English, so practice beforehand. Listen carefully, repeat the question if needed, and think before answering.

Key points to remember

Don’t make up stories or lie—be honest and realistic.
Consider the skills needed for the role and demonstrate how you would apply them.
Focus on how your approach benefits the company’s goals.

These questions demonstrate your problem-solving skills, decision-making abilities, and your approach to handling challenges.

Sergio Brandon De Lucio Chavero

student•

If a dissatisfied customer confronted you, what would you do?

First, I would try to understand with he is no sattisfied by the solution that we have provided, I would try to do my best to be empathic and after he have explained all of the details I would see what can I do to solve the problematic and make him feel listened. If it's a little problem and I can solve it, the I would solve it, but if it's a problem that is out of my hands I would archive a meetup with the client and talk with my manager about it.

What would you do to make a good impression on a client?

Be cordial and always listen to him, an active listening is always a possitive factor in the relation with a client and I would also be interested about the problems that he's looking to solve and how can we help him to solve those problems.

What would you do if you had a heavy workload and had a deadline in a week?

At first I would manage everything with my calendar and prioritize the correct tasks to be done within the first days, usually the core tasks, after that if there is no space for any task and I have to complete the workload, I would ask for help to any of my co-workers or my manager.

How would you adapt if there was a big change in your job?

Most of times I addapt easily, because that's how software is, always changing and most of times u have to master new tech habilities fast, so I don't think that it would be a problem for me.

If you knew that a client was completely wrong about something that he or she was complaining about, what would you do?

At first listen to the problem and be empathic, because in this kind of problems u have to understand the client's perspective, such that u can answer precisely to his needs and how the delivered product solves them.

Samanda Alejandra Verbel Vanegas

student•

What would you do if you had to collaborate with a coworker that is difficult to work with? First, I would initiate a conversation with him or her about the task, making sure to convey that their opinion is not taken personally. I understand that we may have different approaches to solving problems and completing tasks.

Additionally, I would make an effort to comprehend their thoughts and get to know their personality better. This would involve active listening, asking open-ended questions, and seeking common ground to facilitate more effective collaboration.

Octavio Soriano

student•

1. What would you do if you made a big mistake and no one noticed?

If I made a big mistake, even if nobody noticed, I would definitely bring it to light. I truly believe in accountability, especially in digital campaigns, where a single oversight in budget settings, conversion tracking, or audience segmentation can create a chain of inefficiencies. I would first try to correct it myself, document everything clearly, and communicate the situation to the team or my supervisor, offering a clear solution. Owning my mistake not only helps prevent future issues but also shows that I can be trusted with bigger responsibilities.

2. What would you do if you were asked to complete a task that you had never done before?

That would honestly excite me. I’m someone who thrives on learning and stretching my limits. I would approach the task by first researching best practices, consulting reliable sources, and identifying if there are internal playbooks or team members I can learn from. I’m never afraid to ask questions because my focus is on doing things well. I’d rather overprepare and deliver something de calidad than pretend I know it all and underdeliver. For me, unknown territory is a chance to grow, not a threat.

3. If you knew that your boss was completely wrong about something, what would you do?

Respect and assertiveness can, and should, coexist. If I believe my supervisor is wrong about a decision, especially one that could affect campaign performance or client results, I would ask for a private one-on-one to discuss it. I’d present the data or rationale I have, never trying to prove them wrong, but rather contributing with a different perspective. At the end of the day, we’re all aiming for the same outcome: better results and a satisfied client. I see that kind of feedback loop as part of a healthy team culture.

Santiago Maillane Vanegas

student•

Thank you, Carolina. I think STAR would help us a lot during our job interview experience.

Camila Ossa

student•

Question 1: What would you do if you had to collaborate with a coworker that is difficult to work with? My answer: If I had to work with a difficult coworker, I would try to understand their perspective and build a good relationship. I would start with small talk to make things more comfortable, then discuss the tasks, our roles, and how we can communicate. If problems continue, I would talk to them respectfully, find the issues, and suggest solutions. My goal would be to work well together and focus on the team’s goals.

Question 2: If a dissatisfied customer confronted you, what would you do? My answer: If a customer was unhappy, I would listen carefully to understand their problem and show empathy. I would confirm what I understood and solve the issue if I could. If it needed more steps or help from others, I would explain the process and timeline clearly. I would also follow up to make sure the problem was fixed and that the customer was happy.

Question 3: What would you do if you had a heavy workload and had a deadline in a week? My answer: If I had a heavy workload and a deadline, I would prioritize tasks and plan my time carefully to meet the deadline. I would focus on the most important tasks first, using tools like calendars or task lists to stay organized. If I realized that the workload was too much to finish on time, I would communicate early with stakeholders, explaining the complexity and workload. Together, we could agree on a possible adjustment to the timeline if needed. However, I would still do my best to deliver on time and maintain high-quality work.

Camila Ossa

student•

One of my biggest challenges was working as a junior designer on an English learning app for Colombian schools. The project aimed to support students across 11 grades, with a complex structure of modules and lessons. At the start, I used PowerPoint to prototype key activities, aligning stakeholders and avoiding rework. While the management team provided an Excel tracking system, I enhanced it by adding links to Google Drive files and organizing resources for easy access. I also collaborated with the development team early on to standardize processes and later used the tracking system to assign changes efficiently when client requests arose. This experience taught me the importance of organization, clear communication, and adaptability in complex projects.

Camila Ossa

student•

When discussing benefits during an interview, think about how your skills can help the company's goals. For example, if the company aims to increase sales, you might say, "I have experience in digital marketing that led to a 20% increase in revenue for my last employer. I can implement similar strategies here to help achieve your sales targets." This shows you understand the company's needs and can contribute effectively.

Andrés Felipe Barreto Hernandez

student•

I was looking the resources and a good way to answer the situational questions is to answer with conditionals

Sergio Brandon De Lucio Chavero

student•

I agree, but sometimes they require you to answer shortly :'v

MARIA TERESA PANIAGUA RIVERA

student•

Thank you