![\"Want-to-stand-out-from-the-interview-crowd-Use-the-SOAR-framework\"](\"https:\/\/internshala.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Want-to-stand-out-from-the-interview-crowd-Use-the-SOAR-framework-672x343.jpg\")
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Speed-dating!<\/em>\u00a0What comes to mind when you hear the phrase? Stress. Anxiety. Uncertainty. Awkwardness. A job interview comes with pretty much the same level (or more) of pressure, minus the element of fun. All eyes are on potential candidates to see if they are indeed the right fit, in a rather short time span.<\/span><\/p>\n So, now that you\u2019ve landed an interview, what next? (And oh, congratulations, by the way!)<\/strong> Let\u2019s take a look at a handy and helpful framework that can help us streamline our \u2018stories\u2019. Not only will the SOAR model help you prepare concrete answers to interview questions, especially <\/span>behavioural ones, it will also provide a structure to keep you focused (Read: stops you from rambling off point!)<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n The SOAR model\u00a0<\/strong><\/span> Situation<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n To begin with, provide some context and a brief overview to set the scene. Give them a real <\/span>flavour of the conditions you faced, vividly but concisely\u00a0(Think: environment, role, department, timeframe, etc.).<\/em><\/span> If you launch straight into a dialogue on obstacles you faced or how you\u00a0dealt with them without providing any context, an interviewer will not get a true sense of the challenge, your role, or your capabilities. Furthermore, it will reflect poorly on your communication skills (Think: speed-dating without introducing yourself).<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Obstacles \/ Tasks<\/strong> Action<\/strong> Results<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n This is your chance to shine! Describe the outcome of your action. If appropriate, quantify the results to show how effectively the problem was solved. However tempting it may be, try not to inflate figures. It may not seem a big deal to say you\u2019re a gymnast when you can just about manage a somersault (same thing, right?), but it\u2019s easy to get caught out. The important thing is that you are able to demonstrate value addition by showing the impact you had, however big or small.<\/span> Remember to keep your stories crisp and concise so as not to lose the interviewer\u2019s attention or veer off track. Humour is a useful tool to break the ice, but keep your stories short and relevant \u2013 no longer than two minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n Once you master the art of effective ‘storytelling’, you’ll be well on your way to being shortlisted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So how can I get started?<\/strong><\/span> Practice Questions<\/strong><\/span> You may find it challenging to communicate your story effectively. Effective communication techniques, however, are not very difficult to hone and master. You can enroll for Internshala’s<\/span> Business Communication Skills<\/a> training and learn the principles of verbal communication and improve your fluency, enunciation, and vocabulary. You will also learn how to use body language to convey your story effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n We hope you find this article useful and are confident that you will notice a difference in your interview answers by applying the SOAR framework!<\/span><\/p>\n About the Author<\/strong>: Tripta Singh is an educator and entrepreneur based out of Singapore. She is passionate about empowering people and is an avid chef and globetrotter.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
\nHowever clich\u00e9d it may sound, the key to nailing\u00a0<\/span>any interview is to make sure you stand out from the crowd. And that certainly won\u2019t happen with mediocre answers. Through effective and memorable answers, a candidate can demonstrate self-awareness and certainly make a lasting impression. This is where stories and anecdotes come in use instead of merely stating facts. Adding a personal touch during an interview allows the interviewer to relate to you in a meaningful way and is far more impactful than simply reciting the \u2018best practice\u2019 answer that the interviewer has heard a zillion times.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nThe SOAR framework divides your \u2018story\u2019 into four sections \u2013 situation, obstacles, action, and results.<\/span>
\n(Note: A variation of this model is STAR – situation, tasks, replace, and obstacles)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n![\"Want-to-stand-out-from-the-interview-crowd-Use-the-SOAR-framework1\"](\"https:\/\/internshala.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Want-to-stand-out-from-the-interview-crowd-Use-the-SOAR-framework1-574x372.png\")
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\n For example – In my second year of college, I was selected to be a part of the organizing committee for the inaugural Thinkfest, an event bringing together high-profile thought-leaders, trendsetters, and artists to present diverse ideas around a central theme.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
\nNow, outline the challenges and issues that you had to overcome. If you\u2019re using the STAR framework, describe your responsibilities and what was expected of you.<\/span>
\n For example – Although all committee members had different roles, our work overlapped and our individual responsibilities were not clear. Being the junior-most on the committee, it wasn\u2019t easy to get my voice heard!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
\nYou will now be in the spotlight to explain just how you dealt with that pain-in-the-neck boss, sticky situation, lazy teammate, or whatever obstacle you faced! You should go on to explain how you came up with a plan of action and the concrete steps you took to resolve the situation.<\/span>
\n For example – I had a lot of ideas about\u00a0<\/em>what we could do, but team meetings were often heated and no one listened to anyone! I decided to send an email to the team detailing my ideas, hoping it would give me a chance to be heard. To decide the theme, I suggested that we take an online poll and let the student body vote on three themes. I also proposed forming sub-committees for things like sales & marketing, event organisation, venue, logistics, etc. If we had a meeting to establish clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations within the sub-committees, we would work in a much more efficient manner and things would be transparent. Luckily my email was very well received and led to an effective exchange of ideas in writing, where people were actually reading and reflecting before responding!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n![\"Want-to-stand-out-from-the-interview-crowd-Use-the-SOAR-framework2\"](\"https:\/\/internshala.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Want-to-stand-out-from-the-interview-crowd-Use-the-SOAR-framework2-559x372.png\")
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\n For example – The sub-committee idea proved extremely useful, as did the poll. We saved a lot of time working in independent teams with clear scopes of work. The polling showed us that the ideas the committee was leaning towards were the least popular! This was an extremely important learning right at the start because it showed the power of market research and danger of making assumptions. We went with the student body and extended polling on speaker choice, viewpoints, activities, etc. during the <\/em><\/span>organisation<\/em>\u00a0phase as a marketing technique. We built considerable energy through this and ticket sales far exceeded expectations. We sold out within a week of launching sales, and extended the festival by one day due to high demand. The inaugural event was so successful that it is now the highest profile event on campus.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n![\"Want-to-stand-out-from-the-interview-crowd-Use-the-SOAR-framework5\"](\"https:\/\/internshala.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Want-to-stand-out-from-the-interview-crowd-Use-the-SOAR-framework5-497x372.jpg\")
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\nBrainstorm! Make a note of all your personal and professional milestones, no matter how trivial they may seem. Often, these denote life lessons that help shape our character and decision-making process over time. Then, have a look at the practice <\/span>behavioural interview questions below and see how your experiences fit in. Expand on your experiences using the SOAR\/STAR framework and practice delivering your answers. Remember that the goal is to use anecdotes and tell stories that illustrate your strengths, capabilities, and self-awareness in a meaningful and memorable way.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n1. Have you ever had to deal with a difficult person (classmate, colleague, teammate)?<\/span>
\n2. What has been your most significant achievement at university\/in your last job?<\/span>
\n3. Would you call yourself a team player?<\/span>
\n4. Have you made any significant mistakes? How did you handle them? What did you learn from them?<\/span>
\n5. If you are working on a team project, and your teammates are not sharing the burden\/living up to expectations, what would you do?<\/span><\/p>\n