Problem Solving Skills Interview Preparation Guide

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There are four basic steps in solving a problem:
☛ Defining the problem.
☛ Generating alternatives.
☛ Evaluating and selecting alternatives.
☛ Implementing solutions.

☛ Monitoring the outcome of the action taken.
☛ Reviewing the problem and problem-solving process to avoid similar situations in future.

Of course, you must also keep your story concise. It is easy to wander off into extraneous details if you have not prepared your stories in advance. The goal is to find a nice balance between interesting detail and conciseness. The beauty of the STAR format is that it keeps you focused.

If you are a regular reader, you know how we feel about practice. Over several years working with thousands of job seekers, I have seen the magic of practicing for the job interview, especially when it comes to answering behavioral questions.
I know that practice interviewing can feel awkward but please do not skip this step. It really does make a difference. Academic studies and my own experience consistently show that the candidates who practice land more job offers. Practice makes you more eloquent and more confident and will considerably increase your odds of getting hired.

Reminder, the star format is not about scripting and memorizing stories (and it is certainly not about fiction writing). The example above is more scripted than you want or need. We did it this way to illustrate how the final delivery might sound.
When preparing your own STAR stories, it is not necessary to write complete sentences with clean transitions. Just jot down the rough bullet points for each section. You want to create a framework that ensures you hit your key points but your delivery will likely be a little bit different each time.

To stand out from the crowd, you need to provide enough detail to give a sense of who you are and how you think. Many of my coaching clients have made the mistake of rushing through their stories and leaving out the most interesting and memorable details. Good stories offer an opportunity to connect with your interviewer. Give them some details that they can relate to.

☛ To stand out from the crowd
☛ You must also keep your story concise
☛ Reminder the star format

☛ Choose an example that truly demonstrates your problem solving skills at their best. Do not settle for a lame or boring problem or one that makes you look bad.
☛ Go with examples that are relevant for the job description. If you are interviewing for a job with a project management component, choose a time when you overcame an obstacle on an important project. If the posting stresses analytic skills, go with that time you used your Excel macro skills to save the day.
☛ Do not try to skate by with generalities like, I consider myself a great problem solver. I solve problems every day in my job. You are not answering the question. Pick an example to illustrate your point.
☛ Avoid raising red flags by talking about problems that you caused or negatively contributed to. Remember that you want to be the hero in your interview stories whenever possible (we will talk about responding to behavioral questions about negative experiences in a future post).

Here are some tips for handling behavioral questions about problem solving:
☛ Select a strong example
☛ Be specific about your actions
☛ Practice

The interviewer is likely looking for a general problem solving orientation to your personality. For many jobs, the hiring manager is also looking for a proven track record in addressing the types of challenges that are common in the role.

Here are just some of the competency areas that can be considered part of problem solving:
☛ Initiative: You step up and take action without being asked. You look for opportunities to make a difference.
☛ Creativity: You are an original thinker and have the ability to go beyond traditional approaches.
☛ Resourcefulness: You adapt to new/difficult situations and devise ways to overcome obstacles.
☛ Analytical Thinking: You can use logic and critical thinking to analyze a situation.
☛ Determination: You are persistent and do not give up easily.
☛ Results-Oriented: Your focus is on getting to the desired outcome for solving the problem.

EXAMPLES:
☛ Analyzing data from a project or experiment.
☛ Working as a troubleshooter on a computer help desk.
☛ Advising a client at the law clinic.
☛ Implementing a new filing system in an office job.
☛ Acting as a student representative.
☛ Dealing with staff problems or unexpected staff shortages in a part-time job.
☛ Coping with living on a limited student budget.

Examples could come from your course, extra-curricular activities such as student societies, school, work or work experience, year-in-industry placements, travel or other sources.

☛ Implementing action
☛ Providing information to other stakeholders, delegating tasks
☛ Reviewing progress

☛ Deciding between the possible options for what action to take.
☛ Deciding on further information to be gathered before taking action.
☛ Deciding on resources (time, funding, staff etc) to be allocated to this problem.

This stage involves careful analysis of the different possible courses of action and then selecting the best solution for implementation.
This is perhaps the most complex part of the problem solving process. Following on from the previous step it is now time to look at each potential solution and carefully analyse it. Some solutions may not be possible, due to other problems, like time constraints or budgets. It is important at this stage to also consider what might happen if nothing was done to solve the problem, sometimes trying to solve a problem that leads to many more problems requires some very creative thinking and innovative ideas.
Finally, make a decision on which course of action to take. Decision making is an important skill in itself.

During this stage you will generate a range of possible courses of action but with little attempt to evaluate them at this stage.
From the information gathered in the first two phases of the problem solving framework it is now time to start thinking about possible solutions to the identified problem. In a group situation this stage is often carried out as a brain-storming session, letting each person in the group express their views on possible solutions (or part solutions). In organisations different people will have different expertise in different areas and it is useful, therefore, to hear the views of each concerned party.

Most problem-solving skills are developed through everyday life and experience. However, the following interests and activities may be useful in demonstrating a high level of these skills. This may be particularly important when applying to employers in areas such as engineering, IT, operational research and some areas of finance:
☛ Mind games such as cryptic crosswords, Sudoku, chess, bridge, etc.
☛ Computer games are the best of these can involve strategic planning, critical and statistical analysis and assessing the pros and cons of different courses of action.
☛ Practical interests such as programming, computer repairs, car maintenance.
☛ Working with sound or lighting equipment for a band, event or shows.
☛ Academic study is evaluating different sources of information for essays, designing and constructing a microshelter for an architecture project, setting up a lab experiment.

☛ Using the information gathered effectively.
☛ Breaking down a problem into smaller, more manageable, parts.
☛ Using techniques such as brainstorming and lateral thinking to consider options.
☛ Analyzing these options in greater depth.
☛ Identifying steps that can be taken to achieve the objective.

☛ Clarifying the nature of a problem
☛ Formulating questions
☛ Gathering information systematically
☛ Collating and organizing data
☛ Condensing and summarizing information
☛ Defining the desired objective

There are several ways to solving a problem:
Evaluating the problem
Managing the problem
Decision-making
Resolving the problem
Examining the results

Some of the problems that are typically faced by students include:
☛ Putting together an argument for an essay.
☛ Debugging a computer program.
☛ Dealing with an awkward customer when working part-time in a shop or restaurant.
☛ Thinking about how you are going to manage your budget to keep you going until the end of term.
☛ Working out why your printer will not respond.
☛ Developing a strategy to reach the next level of a computer game.

Analytical and critical thinking skills help you to evaluate the problem. A logical and methodical approach is best in some circumstances.
Example:
You will need to be able to draw on your academic or subject knowledge to identify solutions of a practical or technical nature.

Use initiative to act on opportunities. Become a leader before other people view you as one. Healthy organisations reward those who take the lead, not just those with formal management roles:
☛ Take responsibility for own objectives, set priorities.
☛ Display a can do attitude even in demanding situations. Try to solve problems, rather than to pass them on to other people.
☛ Go the extra mile when asked to do tasks. Go beyond your job description. Do work that gets you noticed.
☛ Show enthusiasm: this will be noticed and you will eventually be rewarded.
☛ Take ownership of problems: anticipate potential problems, take emotive action and act quickly to resolve problems.
☛ Introduce improvements to the way things are done.
☛ Develop innovative practices. Value innovative thinking.
☛ Learn new skills that will enhance capability.

It is very important in careers such as advertising, marketing, the media and art and design where you may get questions in the selection process along the lines of write down one hundred ways to use a brick/paperclip, but it can also be of value in the job hunting process itself.