Tell me about a time a coworker was struggling or the team was short-handed. What did you do?

What the interviewer is looking for

• This question tests teamwork. Describes jumping in to help coworkers, sharing information across shifts, and handling disagreements respectfully.
• What to bring out: Noticing the problem, offering specific help without being asked, and communicating with the team or manager.
• Expect a follow-up like: How do you handle it when a coworker is not pulling their weight?

Another way it may be asked: Think of a shift where someone called out or a teammate was overwhelmed. How did you help?

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 teamwork 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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