Empowering Adult ESOL Learners with STAR Method for Job Success
Discover strategies to help adult ESOL learners navigate job applications and interviews effectively using the STAR method. Explore common interview questions, practice STAR method application, and learn how to empower students for success in the current job market driven by technology and AI.
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Empowering Adult ESOL Learners Using the STAR Method to Navigate Job Applications and Interviews
Empowering Adult ESOL Learners Using the STAR Method to Navigate Job Applications and Interviews JENNY HODGES PROFESSOR, COMMUNICATION STUDIES AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT COLLEGE & CAREER COACH MONTGOMERY COLLEGE
Session Agenda Welcome! Objectives Background Common Interview Questions Learning Activity STAR Method Background Example Practice Classroom Adaptations Q&A Upcoming Opportunities at Montgomery College
Objectives Explore a brief overview of current job application market Discover common behavioral interview questions Learn about the STAR method Practice using the STAR method Discover how your students can use the STAR method to prepare for job applications and interviews
About Me Taught ESOL for several years Communication Professor College and Career Coach Public speaking is the #1 fear of Americans. This fear is estimated to affect 40 75% of the population. Is due to underlying fear of judgement and negative evaluation by others. Gallup News Service, 2001. Students self-report high levels of social anxiety Especially related to job interviews ESOL learners self-report high levels of nervousness Self-report fear of judgement for inferior English language skills and lack of comfort and confidence talking about self due to fear of judgement
Background Job market has changed significantly in the last several years and changes will continue to advance. Significant reliance on AI to streamline the application, selection, and interview process. This has been happening for years via Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and has become the standard for all career levels. Applies to entry level to executive, temporary to full- time.
Background Most employers use behavioral interview questions to identify the strongest candidates. Many of these questions will be asked via AI tools. Candidates are asked to provide responses to questions while being recorded by AI tools those answers may be scanned by software tools to identify matches (via keywords) and then by a human who will watch the recorded responses. Many interviews conducted via Zoom or other web- based tools instead of face-to-face.
Common Interview Questions Share an example of a time when you faced a difficult problem at work. How did you solve this problem? Have you ever had to make an unpopular decision? How did you handle it? Describe a time when you were under a lot of pressure at work. How did you react? Tell me about a mistake you ve made. How did you handle it? Share an example of a time you had to make a difficult decision. What did you do? Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss. How did you resolve it? Describe a time when you had to deliver bad news. How did you do it? Share an example of a time when you failed. What did you learn from the experience? Tell me about a time when you set and achieved a specific goal. Tell me about a time when you had to persuade someone to do something. Describe a time when you had a conflict with a colleague. How did you handle it?
STAR Method T A R S Action Result Situation Task Describe the situation. Describe the task you were charged with completing. Describe the action you took to accomplish the task. Describe the results of your action.
Pre-Interview Preparation Read the job description to anticipate some of the job- specific questions that may be asked. Write down various situations you have handled to demonstrate your strengths in those situations. Practice answering questions using the STAR method situations you have written down. Focus on being concise, clear, and confident.
STAR Method Handout On the provided handout, use the information below as a guide to complete your handout. S Situation Describe the situation. Where were you working? Provide context and details about the situation. T Task Describe the task. What is the task(s) you were charged with completing for the situation? A Action Describe the action(s) you took to accomplish the task. Be specific. To whom did you delegate? Did you work as a team or individually? R Result Describe the result(s). Be specific. What did you accomplish? Who did you make happy? What action did they take as a result?
Practice! Find a partner or work with a small group. One partner will ask one of the common interview questions. The other partner will answer the question using your prepared STAR method response. Take turns until both partners (or group members) have shared. Bonus!: Debrief with your partner. How did it go? What went well? What do you want to improve? Any aha moments?! Take turns with additional practice rounds.
Classroom Adaptations/Q&A How might you adapt this exercise to meet the needs of your classrooms? It can be helpful to spend some time developing each step and have each student talk about what they liked or did not like about each experience. Monday: focus on developing Situation Each student shares their work experience Tuesday: focus on developing Task(s) Each student talks about what they did in a particular job Wednesday: focus on developing Action(s) Each student shares specific actions they took to get a job done Thursday: focus on developing Result(s) Each student shares something they are proud of accomplishing from a current or previous job Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Career courses, Other Can be adapted for other learning environments Questions?
Contact Information My contact information: Jenny Hodges Montgomery College Jenny.hodges@montgomerycollege.edu This presentation has been designed using resources from poweredtemplate.com
