Tell me about a job or commitment where people counted on you to show up every day. How did you make sure you were reliable?

What the interviewer is looking for

• This question tests reliability. Gives examples of consistent attendance, punctuality, communicating early about problems, and finishing assigned work.
• What to bring out: Specific habits like planning transportation, having a backup plan, and communicating early when something came up.
• Expect a follow-up like: What would you do if you were going to miss a shift?

Another way it may be asked: Think of any time others depended on you to be on time. What did you do?

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 reliability 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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