Before you walk into your next structured interview setting, make sure that you know what to expect and prepare accordingly

For job candidates, the interview process can be either an opportunity to shine or a hidden trap waiting to dash any hopes of landing that desired job. Part of the problem for job seekers is that there is no way of knowing what type of interview they may encounter. Will it be an unstructured conversation or a structured interview with a set series of questions that all candidates will need to answer? Does the idea of a structured interview give you pause, knowing that your answers will be compared to every other candidate's responses?

In this post, we'll explore the structured interview and why so many companies rely on it for their hiring processes. We will also offer some simple tips that you can use to be better prepared for this type of interview and provide examples of the type of questions you might encounter.

What is a structured interview?

While there are many different ways to conduct interviews, the structured interview is recognized as one of the most efficient and effective ways to identify the best candidates for a job. This interview format relies on a predetermined set of questions, that are posed to each candidate that the company interviews for a given open position. Typically, these questions are asked in the same order every time, to ensure that all candidates receive the same interview experience. There's often a scoring system that interviewers can use to rate each job seeker's response to those questions.

In most instances, the main questions are focused on assessing the candidate's core competencies to determine if they are qualified for the position. Like other interview styles, the questions may be situational or behavioral in nature and are designed to encourage the candidate to share examples of their prior job roles, experiences, and achievements. As the candidate answers each question, the interviewer grades the response in accordance with a predetermined grading scale.

Structured vs unstructured interview or semi-structured interview

Obviously, the structured interview is quite different from the unstructured interview. The latter is conducted more like a free-flowing conversation and can often lead to productive personal exchanges between the interviewer and interviewee. Moreover, the unstructured interview can result in unforeseen diversions in the conversation, that may give the interviewer unexpected insight into the candidate's qualifications or suitability for the position.

The semi-structured interview lies somewhere between those two extremes. That style of interview also relies on a set series of questions, but the interviewer may not use them all or ask them in any specific order. Instead, the questions are used as prompts for the interviewer to keep the conversation moving along in a productive way. Often, the questions are posed in a more open-ended way, to encourage the candidate to open up and share details about their experiences and achievements.

What is the primary advantage of the structured interview?

The primary advantage for companies that use a structured interview format is its reliability and consistency. Because every job candidate is asked the same questions in the same order, each interview has a consistent flow that makes it easier for interviewers to grade responses. Because questions are designed to assess core competencies needed for the open position, this process can enable companies to efficiently identify the most qualified candidates.

Structured interviews can also help companies to ensure that their hiring processes are free from any hint of discrimination. By focusing questions entirely on job qualifications, companies can ensure that they do a better job of avoiding illegal bias. That advantage extends to promoting greater diversity and inclusion in the hiring process too.

Finally, the structured interview option can streamline the hiring process and enable companies to save time in their efforts to locate the right candidates for their team. By relying on a consistent, well-defined interview format that grades each interviewee's performance, hiring managers can have more confidence that the process is accurately identifying the best candidates for any open position.

Tips to help you prepare for a structured interview

Of course, it is one thing to understand how a structured interview works. It is another thing entirely to prepare for that type of meeting. The good news is that there are things you can do to ensure that you're ready to shine in any structured interview setting. Even better, the tips we're about to share with you can help you to properly prepare for any other type of interview too!

1.      Spend time studying the job posting

Every job description should contain vital information about the types of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) the employer wants job candidates to bring to the table. Go through the description with a fine tooth comb and identify every qualification that the company cited in its post. Remember, structured interviews are designed to focus on assessing those qualifications, so you need to know what they are if you want to ensure that you're ready to answer well.

2.      Research the company

It is also wise to spend some time learning about the company. Check out the company website to see exactly what they do and how they do it. That may give you insight into important skills or abilities that the job posting might not mention. While you're at it, you can also research more about the job role, to see if you have any transferable skills that might make you even more qualified for the position.

3.      Think about how your own skills and achievements relate to the job

Once you know which KSAs the company wants to see, you should match those requirements to your own knowledge, skills, and abilities. Which talents have you used in prior roles, projects, or activities? Create a list of your experiences and achievements that relied on those KSAs and write down examples of how those talents were used to provide value to your employers. If you've identified the right job description qualifications and prepared responses that match your existing skills to those needed, you should be prepared to answer almost any question.

4.      Role-play some practice questions

There's no substitute for practice, so don't be afraid to role play with a friend or family member. Use some of the example structured interview questions we include at the end of this post or create your own and have a loved one play the role of interviewer. This practice will help you to get used to providing articulate responses to these types of questions. It can also give you an opportunity to address any problems with your body language and overall presentation.

5.      Get familiar with the STAR method for answering interview questions

One of the best ways to create prepared responses to interview questions is to use the same approach for every answer. The STAR method is one of the best options, because it provides a structured formula that you can rely on in any interview setting.

  • Situation: Begin every answer by referring to a specific situation you encountered, describing the event or challenge that you were dealing with at that moment

  • Task: Then detail your responsibility in that situation, or the goal that you intended to achieve

  • Action: After that, describe the specific steps you took to resolve the situation - make sure that you focus on your actions, using words like “I,” “my,” and “me”

  • Results: Finally, close the story by outlining the results you achieved - make sure that you provide details about the impact of your actions, anything you learned from the process, and any measurable value your solution provided.

If you can follow this simple, four-step method and have a few relevant stories to tell, you should have no problem answering almost any question thrown at you. Of course, the STAR approach to creating responses is also useful for unstructured interviews, so don't hesitate to use it in those settings too.

Structured interview example questions

Below are some examples of structured interview questions and sample answers that you can modify to fit your own skills and experiences. As you review them, keep in mind that any questions will likely be adapted to fit the specific skills and qualifications a company is looking for in its job candidates. Adjust your responses accordingly.

Tell me about a problematic client relationship you encountered, and how you worked through that challenge.

Answer: When I was promoted to Project Manager at ABC Corp., one of our long-standing clients was upset that his prior contact had moved on. He was resistant to the change and started to dodge contact attempts as a way to express that discontent. My job was to meet his company's needs and provide him with a satisfactory experience - so I focused intently on delivering superior results at a much faster pace, while going the extra mile to reach out with even more client service. After a few short weeks of this, his attitude changed and the relationship returned to normal.

Describe a memorable project you contributed to and how it benefited your employer.

Answer: A few years ago, I was assigned to a tech solution implementation project, responsible for managing resource allocation. Two days after the project started, the Project Lead fell ill and I was tasked with replacing her with no preparation for the role. It took me several weeks of long hours to coordinate everything, but we ultimately completed the implementation. That project ended up improving the company's internal processes so much that it led to a 20% increase in customer retention and satisfaction.

What do you think would be the most challenging part of this job, and which skills would help you to overcome that challenge?

Answer: Having reviewed the position, it looks as though some level of delegation is required. In a previous job, I encountered that same need to delegate and it was a bit of a challenge for me since I'm such a hands-on person. However, I quickly realized then that I needed to let others contribute their own skills and talents. I'm confident that those lessons will help me to use those delegation skills to achieve more in this role as well.

What strengths would help you to succeed in this role? Which weaknesses might hold you back?

Answer: Well, in my previous role as Accounts Manager I had similar job responsibilities, so this is a great question. In that role, my organization and communication skills were vital for success and enabled me to manage our client accounts in a way that reduced client complaints by 38%. I did struggle with delegating responsibilities, however, and often took on too much work. I recognize that weakness and have focused more on relying on my team to achieve our goals.

How would you handle a situation where you weren't sure which of two competing policies you needed to follow to resolve a dissatisfied client's issue?

Answer: This actually happened to me in a previous role. I had a client who insisted on receiving special treatment for her shipping schedules and my job was to find a solution for her that wouldn't disrupt our standard processes. She was claiming privilege based on one of our policies, but there was a separate policy that could have barred her request. After consulting with the company's legal team and my superiors, we pushed through a compromise that satisfied both policies and the customer.

Describe your biggest mistake at work and how you were able to move past that failure.

Answer: When I was working at Acme, I was assigned to lead a new sales campaign for a longtime client. I received the instructions and project outline and immediately started creating the project strategy we needed to launch the campaign. After a week of preparation, I delivered the plan to my superiors - only to discover that I had been handed the wrong instructions. I hadn't bothered to double-check the information I received so I took responsibility for the wasted time.

I then spent the next two nights working overtime to put together the right strategy. Ultimately, we ended up launching a day late - the only time I've ever been late with a project, mind you. The client understood and laughed off the confusion, but I walked away with a valuable lesson: even if you think you know what your clients and superiors want, ask questions to verify your understanding.

Tell me about a time when you struggled to get along with a coworker or manager. How did you deal with that situation?

Answer: A few years back, I had a coworker who apparently decided that we were in competition with one another, despite being on the same team. She was icy in the office, despite my attempts at friendliness, and spread negative information about me to others on our team. I knew that I had to fix the problem, since it was starting to interfere with team cohesion, so I called for a one-on-one meeting with her and we worked through her fears. We actually ended up being close friends and still get together to this day.

How do your core values align with our values and mission?

Answer: Your company's values are one of the main reasons why I was motivated to seek this position. Throughout my career, I've worked to choose roles and companies that share my commitment to creating a better world. I was raised to value service to others, which seems to lie at the heart of your company's core values. In addition, your commitment to sustainability and responsible corporate action aligns perfectly with my own dedication to those ideals.

Tell me about a time when you received negative feedback and describe your response.

Answer: Last year, my supervisor pulled me aside to discuss my work performance in the aftermath of a family tragedy. To be fair, I had been depressed and ended up procrastinating on a couple of projects that I needed to complete. I wasn't late, but I was clearly not moving as quickly as I should have been. I was actually thankful for the criticism, as I'm always thankful for constructive feedback, and immediately started making the changes needed to turn things around. If hired, I would welcome any feedback, whether positive or negative. My experience has taught me that feedback from supervisors and coworkers is vital for ensuring that I reach the high standards I set for myself and meet others' expectations.

Summary

Obviously, you can never be sure of what to expect when you walk into a structured interview. However, if you understand what those interviews are designed to achieve and take the right steps to prepare, you should be able to find success and improve your chances of receiving that coveted job offer.

Want to prepare for your structured interview the right way? Get the help you need from our top-rated interview coaches today!

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