Opinion on how to Answer Competency Based Interview Qs

[Mach]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey

So I was doing some mock interviews for my dentistry interview. So I was being asked some competency-based interview situational questions when I noticed that I have an annoying habit of rambling in my answer.

For example, if the question was "if your room mate had aids and he only told you, and you told your mom, and your mom told everyone, what would you?"

I would normally respond with outlining my thought process "oh i would feel very terrible that i was so insensitive and compounded my roommate's condition.. i would then explain to my mom that it's a sensitive topic and to stop spreading it .. i'd apologize profusely to my room mate and offer to read up on AIDS and take sensitivity courses etc"

So in a nutshell, I'd do the STAR method of outlining my thoughts, actions and the end results. However, I found that if i employ the STAR method I tend to ramble on and this would probably come off negatively to the interviewers.

Do you guys think that I should just make my STAR answer more concise/shorter (at the expense/risk of coming off as someone who didn't think the answer out thoroughly) or the first thing i should say are the results/actions i'd take, and then explain my thoughts and feelings (kinda the reverse of STAR method)

Any input would be appreciated

 

[Dentgirl09]

Hey

So I was doing some mock interviews for my dentistry interview. So I was being asked some competency-based interview situational questions when I noticed that I have an annoying habit of rambling in my answer.

For example, if the question was "if your room mate had aids and he only told you, and you told your mom, and your mom told everyone, what would you?"

I would normally respond with outlining my thought process "oh i would feel very terrible that i was so insensitive and compounded my roommate's condition.. i would then explain to my mom that it's a sensitive topic and to stop spreading it .. i'd apologize profusely to my room mate and offer to read up on AIDS and take sensitivity courses etc"

So in a nutshell, I'd do the STAR method of outlining my thoughts, actions and the end results. However, I found that if i employ the STAR method I tend to ramble on and this would probably come off negatively to the interviewers.

Do you guys think that I should just make my STAR answer more concise/shorter (at the expense/risk of coming off as someone who didn't think the answer out thoroughly) or the first thing i should say are the results/actions i'd take, and then explain my thoughts and feelings (kinda the reverse of STAR method)

Any input would be appreciated

There is always a difference between rambling and having a long response. Long isn't necessarily bad. They are usually interested in what you have to say as long as it makes sense, isn't repetitive, and seems genuine. That's my opinion anyway. As long as it is genuine and you sound professinoal there shouldn't be an issue.

 

[12345a]

I don't mean to hijack this tread, but when else am I going to ask it...

why do ppl quote the entire text and then write their answer when the original question is in plain view?

no offense or anything.. I was just wondering

 

[DRHOYA]

To the OP: I think you are way over analyzing these things. What is the STAR method?? Anyway, don't worry so much about what questions that could POSSIBLY be asked, because the possibilities are infinite. The best way to prepare is to review your application, maybe find out from others/friends/dental students what the particular school you are interviewing is like, and make sure you have questions too. It is a two way conversation.......and that's what it is........a conversation.

 

[CountinCavities]

To the OP: I think you are way over analyzing these things. What is the STAR method?? Anyway, don't worry so much about what questions that could POSSIBLY be asked, because the possibilities are infinite. The best way to prepare is to review your application, maybe find out from others/friends/dental students what the particular school you are interviewing is like, and make sure you have questions too. It is a two way conversation.......and that's what it is........a conversation.

Yeah..What is the STAR method?

Also, as long as you don't mess it up, you should be fine.

 

[malpractician]

In some work training I received by a woman who works for the Dept. of Labor, she talked about STAR for about 2 hours. It's a great way to avoid the pit fall of a behavior type question. The interviewer tries to elicit your values and understand how you think.

Situation, Task, Action, Result = STAR

She mentioned typical scenarios like

Interviewer: "How would you describe yourself"
You : "Shrewd, Candid, Trustworthy"
Interviewer "Share a situation you had to be shrewd in"

You: "I really wanted an iPhone when it came out. I had the money and could have bought it but felt too guilty. I figured by waiting a few months I could get it cheaper, which I later did saving myself $300."

She was very smart to also recommend researching common interviewer questions, and have some general ideas for answers, but don't sound canned of course. It's just a general guideline and not something to form all your responses to.