The 10/70/20 Rule for Behavioral Interview Questions
It's graduation season!
Congrats to all the recent college graduates and soon-to-be graduates. As you embark on the next chapter and start looking for a great role at a great company, imagine you’re in an interview, and the interviewer kicks off with the classic “Tell me about a time when…” scenario. We’ve all had those moments, right? Here’s my take on acing those questions, using the 10/70/20 rule.
Begin your 2–3-minute answer by briefly setting the scene, allocating about 10% of your answer to this introductory context. Mention the context of the situation. For example, did this happen at work, a networking event, or school?
Next, focus on your actions, devoting 70% of your response to detailing how you skillfully managed the project or resolved the issue. Without getting too over the top, talk about how you rocked that project or solved the problem. Show off your skills and make it clear why you’re the right fit for the job!
Conclude your answer by summarizing the outcome, using 20% of your time to highlight achievements and share your results like positive feedback, or lessons learned. Numbers are great if you have them, but also talk about the impact and how your work made a difference.
For added impact, reflect on the experience. What did you learn, and how did it shape you? Maybe your work set a new standard or inspired others.
Anna Wierda is a recruiter with The Headhunters. Learn more here.