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Preparing for a Vanguard interview – Be a STAR

Have an upcoming interview with us? You’ll need to know more about the STAR format – also known as behavior based interviewing – and how to prepare for these types of questions.

What are STARs?

In interviews, Vanguard hiring teams often use the STAR format, which focuses on Situation/Task, Action, and Results. This method helps us to better understand your skills, experience and working styles and how they relate to the role you’re applying for. To effectively answer these types of questions, describe the Situation or Task, the Action you took, and the Results of your specific actions. Here’s an example:

Interviewer: Tell me about a time when you had a tough client. How did you improve the relationship?

Candidate: When I worked at a retail store, we had a regular customer who wanted to use expired coupons. We can’t take expired coupons and the customer wasn’t happy about it. (Situation) I showed him how to get coupons on his phone (Action), so he would have access to our most current deals anytime he came in. We found a discount that he could apply that day (Action) and by the time he left the store, the customer was pleased and stated he would be back. (Result) I learned from that experience that you can always find a solution, even if you can’t give the customer exactly what they want.

The right details

Another trick to answering STAR questions effectively is to avoid generalities. Consider the difference in these two answers:

Before: “I had a rough project. I spoke with the person who wasn’t doing their work and it got better.”

Better: “I had a team project in my marketing class where one person wasn’t completing their tasks and was holding everyone up. I approached my classmate privately and asked if he needed help. He admitted that he didn’t understand the project and wasn’t sure where to start. I offered to show my teammate an easy way to complete his research and gave him a few simple resources that could bring him up to speed. After our conversation, my classmate made a complete shift. He finished all his work, before the deadline, and we got an A on our project.”

Notice in the above examples that the interviewee gave just the right amount of detail to make the story clear, without rambling. And consider how many skills this candidate just succinctly demonstrated – team player, problem solver, strong communicator, among others.

Listen for the details

When answering STAR based questions, listen carefully to what your interviewer is asking. For example, if you are asked for one example, don’t give two. If the interviewer asks a question you dislike, don’t jump in with unrelated information or a question you prefer to answer. Taking either of these avenues shows that you can’t follow directions. You may also run out of time to answer other questions that will demonstrate your skills and applicable experiences.

Identify your STARs

You don’t have to have lots of job experience to share something relevant. Some good places to uncover STAR examples include: classwork, interactions with professors, clubs, sports, part time jobs, or volunteering.

Interviews are professional interactions, so avoid inappropriate stories. And it’s not just what you say, but how you say it. Slang or fillers (such as like, um, uh) can reduce the power of your words and lessen their meaning.

Final thoughts

The key to answering STAR questions is to call out past successes that apply to the role you’re interviewing for. Make sure the end result of your example is a win for all parties involved.

Also, the experiences you choose for STARs don’t have to be awe-inspiring. Leadership during team sports, problem-solving with a professor, or clear communication while volunteering can all demonstrate that you have the skills and experiences to flourish in your future role.

If you enjoyed this post, check out these Vanguard interview tips. And if you’re ready for a more rewarding, engaging, meaningful career, search our Client Services opportunities at www.vanguardjobs.com.

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Family comes first

June 12, 2019/in Advice from crew, Crew benefits, Culture 2018, appointment, appointment mom, care, doctor's appointment, family, home, knew, know, leader, leave, mom, needed, new leader, personal life, returned to work, time, vanguard, work, working at vanguard /by manjunath

Family comes first

I’d been working at Vanguard for about eight years when my mother, and best friend was diagnosed with Stage 3 Urothelial Cell Carcinoma. As you can imagine, this turned my family’s world upside down as my mom is the heart & soul of my family unit.

My mom, who had cared for me, my brother and my dad, all (or most of) our lives was now the one who needed care. This was a role no one in my family, except my mom, had really ever done. I knew I would play a key part in my mother’s appointments as my family wasn’t sure what questions to ask or notes to take. Needless to say, having served in auditor-type roles most of my Vanguard career, I was well prepared for the challenge.

During the first quarter of 2017, while my personal life was turned on its head, a new leader was assigned to my team. I was experiencing changes both at Vanguard and in my personal life. My first one-on-one was conducted through video conference from my parent’s house. It was during that conversation I finally said the words out loud…my mom had cancer. Not knowing how my new leader would respond, I waited.

He took a moment and said, “Family comes first,” a concept I heard Vanguard was known for but never experienced firsthand. To my relief, my manager and I worked out a flexible schedule so I could attend all of my mom’s chemotherapy treatments.

Kristin and her mom dressed in panda costumes

My mom’s 68th birthday in our matching red panda onesies

My first leave occurred in July 2017, for mom’s surgery to remove the cancer cells. Knowing I could assist in her care, this was my first experience with Vanguard’s Family and Medical Leave Program (FMLA). I took the steps necessary to ensure that everything would go smoothly, and it did.

I was nursing my mom back to health, with my dad and brother and other extended family by my side. Every morning, I went straight into mom’s bed where we spent hours talking, laughing and praying. During that leave, I wore many hats, some included: Doctor, nurse, caretaker, therapist, chef, butler, and chauffeur. Before I knew it, the two months had passed & I was back to work.

When I returned from leave, I was notified that my team was undergoing changes. I had a new team and leader. Like the leader before, she was caring and understanding. She went out of her way to help support me, and therefore, my family.

Having been home for the holidays, I asked mom if she needed me to stay. She was hesitant; worried that her diagnosis that was now Stage 4 was affecting my work. Always a mother. But she did ask me to stay. I went back through the seamless FMLA process and was back at home, supporting my family by the first week of 2018.

The first day of that leave we found out that the cancer metastasized in mom’s liver. She was given six months to live… A time frame no spouse, son, daughter, mother, sibling, or friend is ready to hear or accept. However, a few weeks after that appointment, mom was on an upswing responding positively to her new treatment. My mom, our family, was going to win this fight.

Woman holding a certificate, A purple heart award

Mom graduating from chemo for the first time on my Vanguard work anniversary

I returned to work in early February of 2018 in hopes of making a career move. I wanted to challenge myself now more than ever considering the flexibility Vanguard had given me. Then, my perfect job appeared. I was hesitant to apply, worried that a new department and leader wouldn’t be willing to work with me through this trying time. With that in mind, I went for it and luckily I did, because I began an exciting new journey at Vanguard.

Having the same insecurities I’ve had before, I explained my home situation. My new leader exceeded my expectations even more so since I had only just gotten the job. She didn’t know me, but she didn’t need to. She knew what I needed.

Shortly after starting my new job in June 2018, my mom stopped responding to treatment and my family was overwhelmed. I needed to be home as taking care of mom had become a full time job that did not include sleep. For a third time, I submitted for FMLA. Another straightforward and successful process.

I was on leave from the end of July 2018 until Labor Day. I did my best to remain optimistic. Mom surpassed the six month expectation her doctor gave her in January. Every moment with her beyond six months was a blessing but I wasn’t naive; things looked bleak.

We had mom’s palliative care appointment the Friday I returned to work. The night I arrived home, I knew things were bad. During that appointment, mom was admitted to inpatient hospice care though she had been using their home services for months. I was told she may not make it the 15 minute ambulance ride. My world was falling apart.

Picture of Kristin and her mom and brother

My brother, mom & I visiting the casino with dad

Saturday morning, September 8, at 12:08 AM EST, after a year and a half of fighting, my mom passed away, unable to beat the courageous battle all cancer survivors and victims have to go through. More than anything, I wish this blog was ending differently, not only for you, but for me…for my family.

From that experience, here’s what I can tell you: If I wasn’t working at Vanguard, I don’t know how different this story would have been. I don’t know if I would have been at every chemotherapy appointment. I don’t know if I would have been at every doctor’s appointment. I don’t know if I would have been as available to my family. I don’t know if I would have been able to be home.

However, I was working at Vanguard. I was able to be there when my family needed me the most. I was able to go to every doctor’s appointment. I was able to be available for my family. I was able to be home. I was able to take multiple leaves of absence through FMLA. I was able to use personal leave to handle my mother’s affairs. I was able, and that – that is a blessing.

Picture of a gorup holding a sign to support Kristin's mom at a Memorial walk event

Hospice of the Sacred Heart Memorial walk

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That company down the street that doesn’t give advice? Think again.

May 15, 2019/in Advice from crew, Career opportunities, Crew benefits, Culture, Day in the Life, Our mission advisor, crew /by manjunath

That company down the street that doesn’t give advice? Think again.

Meet Deji A. He is a Financial Advisor Manager who shares how he found the right fit in Vanguard. Deji’s strong client focus and passion for developing his crew have remained a priority throughout his career.

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Starting your new job on the right foot

May 8, 2019/in Advice from crew address, confirm, continue, expectations, fact, know, leader, list, office, plan, questions, role, sense, set, share, step, suggestions, tasks, team, time /by manjunath

Starting your new job on the right foot

Congratulations, you got the job! Now, make a great impression from day one. Whether you’re waiting for your start date or already in your role, use this checklist for suggestions for each step in your new role, starting from the first day you officially join your team. As you go through the list, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to blow it out of the water right away. In fact, it may be best to just observe and ask questions before offering suggestions or taking charge. And know that it’s OK to be a little nervous.

Day one

Be prepared to talk about yourself a little–practice a brief overview of your background and be ready to share a fun fact about yourself!” Keep it to a minute.
Confirm your hours and any scheduling expectations with your leader.
For your first day, consider giving extra attention to your appearance and attire.
If your leader or a peer doesn’t do it, introduce yourself to your team.

Week one

Get the lay of the land–find the kitchen, meeting rooms, and best places to park.
Identify main contacts around the office for things like office supplies and IT support.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Intellectual curiosity is a great trait to display!
Confirm that you are added to key meetings–team meetings, client check-ins, etc.
Document what you’ve learned and any gaps in your understanding.
Once you have a sense of the dress code, it may be a good time to update your wardrobe.
Don’t forget to celebrate–you survived your first week!

Weeks two to four

Set up time with team members and other partners to get to know them and their working styles.
Do, or continue to do, some light reading about the industry, the company, or your role.
Set goals for yourself and list all the things you want to know more about.
Think about how to best organize your work and structure your day.

Month six

Confirm that you have a strong sense of your leader’s expectations.
Reflect and address your opportunity areas.
Create a plan to address any challenges you’re experiencing in the role.
Discuss your performance with your leader, even informally.
Celebrate your successes!

Some of these tasks should continue beyond six months (you should never stop learning or reflecting!), so a great next step is identifying which tasks to include in your ongoing development plan. And when someone new joins your team, you’ll have some great tips to share.

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You got the job, now make a smooth transition

April 24, 2019/in Advice from crew, Training & education career, ends, help, job, know, leader, note, peer, plan, position, projects, projects and tasks, role, step, tasks, wait, wrap /by manjunath

You got the job, now make a smooth transition

Congrats, you got the job! After weeks of interviewing, prepping, and anticipating, the long wait is finally over. You’ve given notice at your current job, you’ve accepted your new job offer, and set a start date.

Now what?

Wrap up. Whether you disliked your old job or are just moving to a new opportunity, make sure to leave on good terms and help to wrap up loose ends. Make a plan with your leader on what you should tackle before you go and what needs to be deferred for your successor. A good task to complete before you go? Collect procedures, resources, projects, and tasks that can help new hires get a handle on their new position. A few examples: What meetings should they attend? What are all the projects and tasks they’re responsible for? How will they be measured?

Communicate. Let your direct manager take the lead on the plan, just make sure the right stakeholders are aware that you are exiting your role and when. Let everyone know your goals for your remaining time in job and indicate any contingency plans.

Manage expectations. On that note, accept that you simply cannot get to everything in two weeks. Some projects and tasks will not be completed and will have to wait for the next person to fill your role or a current peer to take them on. Do your best, but don’t overexert yourself. There’s a new challenge on the horizon!

Address the administrative stuff. Don’t forget the odds and ends like turning in keys, cleaning out your desk, returning your laptop, or filling out paperwork. Contact your HR department to see if they have a checklist for those vacating a position or leaving the company.

Say goodbye. This is a little different from the communication piece because this step is less about setting timelines and more about saying farewell to your beloved co-workers. Want to take it a step further? Send an email or handwritten note to those who have influenced your career or made a difference in your life. Add them on LinkedIn to stay in touch.

As a final caution, avoid taking your last two weeks as a vacation. Chances are, you’ll just be hurting a valued peer or damaging your own reputation. And you never know when you’ll encounter a former colleague or leader in the future.

Stay tuned for our blog on Kicking off your new role.

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So you’ve been declined – now what?

April 10, 2019/in Advice from crew close, company, feel, felt, future, impression, improve, interview, job, position, practice, professional, reflection, role, share, step, team, time, tough, wanted /by manjunath

So you’ve been declined – now what?

It’s a painful thing for anyone to go through. A company, department, or team turns you down for a role. It can feel like someone is saying, “we didn’t like you and we don’t want you.” The truth is, the hiring team may have really liked you, or even felt you got really close. Just because you weren’t right for the position today, doesn’t mean you can’t nail it the next time.

But the way you handle this news can determine if you’re successful in the future. Use this step by step guide to navigate the tough waters of being turned down for a job:

Picture of two people talking at a meeting

Do some reflection

Was it really the company or role you wanted? Were you on your A game? Spend some time jotting down your reactions to the experience—how you felt about your performance, your impression of the company, what you did well, and what you think you could improve. It’s helpful to do this exercise immediately following an interview so the experience is fresh in your mind.

Get some rest

Going through an interview process is exhausting and emotional. After you’ve completed the reflection stage, take a breather to avoid overloading your brain. Take a day to go hiking, have dinner with a close friend, or binge-watch your favorite show. Downtime is an essential part of being a high-performing professional.

Picture of two women on a walking trail

Make a plan

OK, now it’s time to get to work. Think about how you can tackle what you identified during the reflection phase. Did you ramble or come across inarticulate? Practice slowing down and speaking more clearly. Maybe it’s just a matter of polishing your appearance or impression: Was your interview attire wrinkled? Were you unprepared to take notes or share your resume?

Enlist some help

Practicing is a key element of interviewing, but who you practice with makes a difference. A professor, experienced parent, or former colleague will be better armed to offer you insights than someone who has never interviewed or held a professional position. At this time, you may have to ask for some tough feedback. I once had a mock interview where I was asked to discuss a time one of my projects shifted and how I reacted. I shared a story about having to host a video at the last minute. My mock interviewer said that, while the story was interesting, displaying my video hosting skills wasn’t relevant to the role I was pursuing. I had never even considered choosing answers related to the duties of the role I wanted. Her feedback helped steer me to identify more applicable experiences to share.

If your choices are limited, give your practice partner specifics to look for: clear communication, professional presence, and a tailored appearance.

Picture of two people talking at a meeting

Balance your goals

It’s not always necessary to make major changes, sometimes just making more eye contact can improve your chances. Think about the kind of person who has impressed you in the past. What was their body language? How did they speak about their goals and accomplishments? Envisioning the individual you want to portray works wonders in making a memorable impression.

Try again

Give it some time, but do apply again if you feel there’s a fit. Many employers welcome “silver medalists” back to the application process. And be prepared to discuss the improvements you’ve made since your last interview. You may share something like, “I realized my coding knowledge wasn’t where it should have been. Since then, I have taken a class to brush up on my skills.”

As you go through your plan, continue to think of other job opportunities so you avoid limiting yourself. Acknowledge that you may not get hired at your dream company this time, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a chance in the future. And don’t forget to pat yourself on the back for taking on a challenge and doing something scary, no matter how well you did or didn’t do.

Most of all, remember that there’s a company out there just waiting for someone like you to walk through the door.

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Connecting with the Vanguard mission

April 2, 2019/in Advice from crew, Culture, Day in the Life, Our mission career, client, client services, services /by manjunath

Connecting with the Vanguard mission

Meet Tiamoy W. She learned about Vanguard at a job fair and shortly after launched her career in Client Services. “I think what excites me the most is getting on the phone and knowing that you’re going to change someone’s life.”

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