5 Situational Interview Questions and Example Answers

Situational interview questions are questions asked during job interviews that require job candidates to put themselves in potential situations that may occur on the job. These scenarios require applicants to think on their feet, explaining how they would handle common job challenges and tasks.

Unlike behavioral interview questions—which ask how candidates have handled real situations in their past—situational questions focus on how job seekers would act on the job in different hypothetical situations. These questions typically focus on the future, but they allow interviewees to apply their past experiences to demonstrate their thought processes, decision-making, and problem solving skills.

Hiring managers ask situational interview questions to see how candidates might approach the day-to-day of a job. They’re specifically designed to evaluate how a candidate will react in the future if they are hired for the position. They allow the interviewer to get a glimpse into the candidate’s real-life capabilities, beyond how they’re prepared to describe themselves. These types of questions also give the candidate a better idea of what the role may require beyond the job description.

The STAR interviewing method—standing for situation, task, action, and result—is a simple technique that you can use to organize your thoughts and deliver a good answer to any interview question. Here is how to use the STAR method to answer situational interview questions.

1. 1. Describe the situation. With a situational interview question, relate the situation the interviewer is presenting you with to one you’ve been in before. This will give you a template for answering the question, and allow you to set the stage for your answer.
2. 2. Isolate the task at hand. Even if the task is outlined in your interviewer’s question, you should state the task that you’re being faced with. Call out what you want to accomplish. It will show your interviewer that you’re able to clearly describe your main objective when faced with a challenge.
3. 3. Discuss the action you will take. Next, describe how you plan to respond to the situation. Frame this part of your answer as concrete steps you’d plan to take if you found yourself in the situation the hiring manager is describing.
4. 4. Describe the desired result. Tie your answer up by explaining what you see as the end result of your plan. Will there be a follow-up? What happens if the problem persists? Describe the possible outcomes to your plan and how you might handle each possibility.

Situational interview questions are opportunities to showcase your quick thinking and communication skills. Here are some tips for how to prepare to answer these questions for your next interview.

1. 1. Study the job description. Mine the job description for relevant skills that the recruiters may be looking for.
2. 2. Prepare sample answers. Try to come up with a few hypothetical situations that you may be asked about depending on the skills that the job description prioritizes. For example, you may think about how you’d address an unhappy customer if a job description calls out customer service skills. Think about how you might answer a series of common situational interview questions. Even if these particular questions are never asked, it can be helpful to prepare yourself to think on your feet before the interview.
3. 3. Be realistic. Some situational job interview questions are designed to see how you might react to pressure, conflict, and even failure. Some problems cannot be solved, so be honest with yourself and the interviewers when you’re pitching your solutions.
4. 4. Stay positive. Frame your answers in a positive light even when you’re discussing challenges that you’ve dealt with. Do not try to shift the blame onto team members, but instead emphasize your successes and general resilience.

You may not be able to predict which situational interview questions your interviewer may ask. However, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with some of the common situational interview questions that hiring managers typically ask.

1. 1. “How would you deal with a dissatisfied customer?” Recruiters want to know if you’re level-headed enough to handle customer interactions—even negative ones—with poise. This question may also help your interviewer gauge your problem-solving skills.
2. 2. “How would you pitch or sell our product?” This is a common sales question that gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your persuasive abilities. It can also show your interviewer how much you know about their company.
3. 3. “Let’s say you have been given multiple assignments on a tight deadline. How would you prioritize these?” Any type of job will involve stressful situations and time management. Your answer to this question can give interviewers insight into how you manage your time, stress, and tasks. Make sure that the interviewer understands your strong management skills and your ability to keep cool under pressure.
4. 4. “If you made a mistake that nobody else noticed, how would you handle it?” Everyone makes mistakes on the job, but the point of this question is to gauge how you solve a problem even if it is of your own making. Rather than dwelling on your mistake, your potential employer wants to know how you communicate and move forward. It’s also a great opportunity to show that you’re an honest person who is capable of owning your mistakes.
5. 5. “How would you complete a task that you’ve never done before?” Any new job will come with new challenges, and perhaps some tasks that are totally unfamiliar to you. This question helps your interviewer gauge your initiative in the face of challenging new tasks. It also gives an interviewer a glimpse into your ability to teach yourself how to do something new.

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