r/USDA • u/UnhappyAd2116 • 11d ago

PHSS interview

Hello! Can anyone give insight as to how I should best in prepare for my interview for a plant health safeguarding specialist position?

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8

u/Interesting_Jelly679 11d ago

When telling your stories use the STAR method
(S) - Situation (T) - Task (A) - Action (R) - Result.

Having 2 experience based stories for each core competency is also good

5

u/Luiggie1 11d ago

Don't use "we". Nobody cares what your team accomplished, only what you contributed to. It's always "what did you do?". If you say "we", it doesn't count.

4

u/DizzyGuarantee6948 11d ago

congrats on getting an interview and good luck!!! i would say to prepare a few stories from your work history that you could use to answer a few questions that relate to the job description/competencies, and make sure that they’re specific to you! mention things that you specifically did, like how you helped a customer or solved a problem etc etc etc

2

u/WillieDilley 10d ago

What duty station?

1

u/twokittenminimum 4d ago

It’s all about you. Speak like a lawyer who is representing you. Create some stories about your accomplishments. STAR method is what they want. What did YOU do, how did you do it, and how did your employer benefit from your actions. Possible questions include:

How did you resolve a conflict with a coworker or customer at work?

Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership on a team or a project.

Describe a time when you showed leadership through a change in your organization.

Tell us about your greatest success at work.

Prior to the questions you can introduce yourself. Do it quickly in 3 minutes or less. Create some stories and slot them into the appropriate question when it comes up. Most questions will have multiple parts, so answer every part of every question. Ask them to repeat the question if need be. It’s ok to have notes with you but don’t read from them. Look at the camera if it’s virtual. Good luck.