Tell me about a time you stopped work because something felt unsafe.

What the interviewer is looking for

• This question tests electrical safety & lockout. Describes de-energizing, lockout and tagout, testing for absence of voltage, proper protective equipment, and stopping work when unsafe.
• What to bring out: Recognized the hazard, stopped and made it safe, communicated to the team or supervisor, and resolved it before resuming.
• Expect a follow-up like: How did others react, and would you do it again?

Another way it may be asked: Was there ever a moment on a job when you said we need to stop? What happened?

A structure to follow: STAR, with the weight on Action and Result

1. Step 1

   Situation

   One or two sentences: where, when and what was at stake. Pick a real example you were close to.

2. Step 2

   Task

   What you personally were responsible for. Say "I", not only "we", so the electrical safety & lockout you showed is visible.

3. Step 3

   Action

   The two or three things you did and why you chose them over the alternatives. This should be about half your answer.

4. Step 4

   Result

   What changed, in your own measure of it, and what you would do differently. Only use numbers you can stand behind.

This is guidance on shape, not a script. Use your own real experience and facts; never invent details to fill a gap. See the STAR guide and answer frameworks.

Common slips

• Describing what the team did without saying what you did.
• Choosing an example with no clear outcome, or one you cannot answer detailed questions about.
• Ending on the action and skipping the result and what you learned.

How to practise it

Write two bullet points for each STAR letter, then say the answer aloud in about two minutes.

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