Cracking interviews can feel like a daunting task, but the good news is that most non-technical interview questions follow predictable patterns. In fact, over 90% of these questions can be categorized as behavioral or situational. Couple that with research showing that 33% of interviewers make a decision within the first 90 seconds of meeting you, and it’s clear you need both great content in your answers and a strong first impression.
This guide will show you:
- The Two Question Categories – and how to tackle them with the CARL and RCS frameworks.
- How to Nail the “Tell Me About Yourself” prompt with the Present-Past-Future approach.
- How to Use AI Tools (like ChatGPT or getsynco.ai) to prepare faster, giving you an edge over the 46% of applicants already using them.
By following these steps, you’ll be prepared to walk into virtually any interview and crush it.
Master the Two Core Interview Question Types
Behavioral Questions
Behavioral questions require you to share past experiences. They often start with prompts like:
- “Tell me about a time when you handled a difficult team member.”
- “Give me an example of when you felt overwhelmed at work and how you dealt with it.”
Why They Matter: Employers believe your past behavior is a strong indicator of future performance.
Use the CARL Framework
To answer behavioral questions, try CARL:
- Context: Briefly describe the situation or challenge.
- Action: Explain the specific steps you took to address it.
- Result: Share the outcome and quantify it if possible.
- Learning: Highlight what you learned and how you’d replicate (or improve on) that success.
Why CARL Is Better Than STAR:
Many of us learned STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result). CARL goes a step further by emphasizing Learning, which shows employers you can grow from experiences and apply that knowledge in a new role.
Example ChatGPT Prompt for a Behavioral Question
“Based on my resume (pasted below), write an answer to the behavioral question: ‘Tell me about a time when you handled a difficult team member.’ Use one specific example from my work experiences. Use the CARL format (Context, Action, Result, Learning). Keep the answer concise and below 260 words.”
Situational Questions
Situational questions revolve around hypothetical scenarios. For example:
- “Imagine you made a mistake that no one noticed. What would you do?”
- “What would you do if an irritated customer demanded an impossible request?”
Why They Matter: Interviewers want to see how you think on your feet. They know these situations haven’t happened to you yet, so you’ll need a logical approach.
Use the RCS Framework
To handle these “What if?” questions, follow RCS:
- Rephrase: Confirm you understand the scenario.
- Clarify: Ask questions to narrow down the constraints or relevant details.
- Structure: Take a moment to outline your approach and then walk the interviewer through your plan.
The Real Goal:
Smart candidates don’t blurt out quick answers without thinking. By rephrasing the question, clarifying details, and structuring your response, you show poise, curiosity, and analytical thinking—traits interviewers love.
Example ChatGPT Prompt for a Situational Question
“You are a seasoned hiring manager with 20+ years of experience. The question is: ‘Imagine an irritated customer demands an impossible request. What would you do?’ Using the RCS framework (Rephrase, Clarify, Structure), provide a thorough but concise sample answer.”
Nail the “Tell Me About Yourself” Question
Studies reveal that one-third of interviewers decide on a candidate within the first 90 seconds—often during the classic “Tell me about yourself” prompt. Using a strategic structure can set the right tone from the get-go.
Present-Past-Future Framework
When introducing yourself, try:
- Present: State your current role or relevant experience. Highlight a key, quantifiable success if possible.
- Past: Mention a previous experience that best supports why you’re a great fit (keep it short and impactful).
- Future: Connect your current skill set and trajectory to the new role. Explain why you’re excited about it and how you can add value.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep it under 2 minutes. If you can tell a compelling story about who you are, what you’ve done, and where you’re headed in under 2 minutes, you’re more likely to engage your interviewer positively.
Example ChatGPT Prompt for “Tell Me About Yourself”
“Based on the three most important responsibilities in this job description, use my resume to create a compelling ‘Tell me about yourself’ answer. Use the Present-Past-Future framework, limit the Present to 100 words, Past to 50 words, and Future to 100 words. Here is my resume...”
Supercharge Your Interview Prep with AI
Why AI Matters
According to recent data, 46% of applicants already use AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline their job search. If you’re not leveraging these tools, you are at a disadvantage—someone with fewer qualifications could be out-preparing you. getsynco.ai offers an AI copilot that helps you build up your story bank, mock interviews with you and giving live support during real interviews. You can also DIY the steps all by yourself using large language models.
ChatGPT Prompts
- Generate Targeted Interview Questions
- Ask ChatGPT (or Synco.ai): “You are a seasoned hiring manager with 20+ years of experience. Based on this job description, what are the top 10 behavioral interview questions I’ll face?”
- Repeat for “situational” interview questions.
- Prepare CARL Answers
- For each behavioral question, use a prompt to produce answers in CARL format tied to your resume.
- Practice RCS
- For tricky situational questions, share the RCS framework with ChatGPT or Synco.ai and request a structured example.
- Perfect Your Introduction
- Use the Present-Past-Future format with strict word or time limits to ensure you stay concise and focused.
Additional Tools for Organization
- Teal Job Tracker: A free Chrome extension that helps you manage your applications, note salary ranges, and track which stage of the process you’re in. Reminders for each interview stage keep you on top of every opportunity.
Bringing It All Together
With the CARL framework, you’ll confidently address behavioral questions by sharing context, action, results, and key learnings. The RCS framework ensures you handle situational questions with clarity and structure. And by perfecting your “Tell Me About Yourself” response using the Present-Past-Future method, you’ll make a strong impression in those first 90 seconds.
Recap of Key Takeaways
- Most Non-Technical Questions Are Behavioral or Situational.
- CARL for past experiences.
- RCS for hypothetical scenarios.
- Present-Past-Future for a Crisp Introduction.
- Present: Your current role and one core achievement.
- Past: A relevant previous experience.
- Future: Why you’re excited about this new role.
- Leverage AI Tools for Speed and Customization.
- Prompt ChatGPT to generate role-specific questions.
- Craft concise, well-structured answers.
- Organize your search with tools like Teal Job Tracker.
- Optimize Your First 90 Seconds
- Be aware that one-third of interviewers form an opinion in that time.
- Present a polished, confident opening.
- 46% Are Already Using AI
- Don’t let less-qualified candidates outperform you because they’re better prepared.
- Synco.ai is particularly good for live practice interviews and post-interview feedback.
Final Thoughts
Interviewing doesn’t have to be a guessing game. By combining smart frameworks (CARL, RCS, Present-Past-Future) with AI-driven efficiency, you can drastically shorten your prep time and boost your confidence.
Whether you’re switching industries or applying for your first role, these tools and strategies will help you stand out—and crush 90% of your interviews.
Ready to take your interview game to the next level? Try out the prompts, frameworks, and tools mentioned here. With a bit of preparation, you’ll walk into your next interview equipped to handle whatever question comes your way—behavioral, situational, or that classic.
And if you’re looking for more prompts and AI tools you can utilize on your job hunt–check out our database of all the latest AI tools.
Good luck, and go land that dream job!
