The Hiring Process
You Found a Job That Interests You—Now What?
Found the perfect job listing? Great! Now, you’ll just need to apply.
After you submit your application through the St. Louis Fed's online system, it will be routed to the recruiter for that job. You will be notified via email when your application has been received. The recruiter will compare your stated skills and qualifications to those requested by the hiring manager for the open position.
Candidates who most closely match the requested skills for a job will usually be called by the recruiter for a preliminary phone interview. The application is then forwarded to the hiring manager for review. There may be additional phone interviews or questions before the hiring manager decides whom to bring in for a personal interview. This process can take several weeks, so please be patient.
Whether or not you are selected for the original position for which you applied, your resume will be kept on file for six months and may be matched to other positions as they become available. However, you are encouraged to reapply for other job openings as they become available.
Selected for an Interview? Get Ready
This video walks you through the top five things to know about behavioral interviewing, the STAR Method and how to best convey your experience. We also have a Spanish language version of the video.
Top 5 Things to Know about Behavioral Interviewing
Got an interview coming up? Want to nail it? Follow along for the top five things to know about behavioral interviewing from the St. Louis Fed.
1. The STAR method. The STAR method is an easy way to respond to behavioral interview questions by using Situation, Task, Action and Result to complete your answer.
- Situation: Provide details about a job you did or a challenge you faced. Be specific.
- Task: Describe your responsibility in this situation — what needed to be done and why.
- Action: Explain what you did to complete the task. And be sure to focus on yourself, not your team, supervisor or co-workers.
- Result: Describe the outcome of the action taken. Were all issues resolved? How did you measure success? Again, be specific.
Before your interview, think of brief scenarios — or STAR stories — that demonstrate your leadership, teamwork and initiative. Each story should explain the Situation Task, Action and Result.
2. Focus on the role you played. Past experience predicts future performance. So provide the employer with an example of your actions and contributions. An example in which you played a minor or supporting role does not give the interviewer the information they want. Use the words “I, me and my” rather than “We us, or they.”
3. Be specific in your examples. Employers want to know what you did do rather than what you would do in a given situation. Giving generalizations will not help the employer understand and evaluate your behavior or skills.
4. Frame responses based on experience. Draw upon all relevant past experiences including work, personal and volunteer activities.
5. Use the job description to understand the skills needed for the position. The posted job description can give you a clue to the questions the interviewer might ask. Identify your relevant qualities to the position and prepare relevant and effective behavioral stories.
So remember, the STAR method is an easy way to respond to behavioral interview questions by using Situation, Task, Action and Result to complete your answer. Focus on the role you played. Be specific in your examples. Frame responses based on experience. And finally, use the job description to understand the skills needed for the position.
With these five tips, your interview will be sure to stand out from the competition. So seize the day and check out stlouisfed.org/careers for current opportunities.
Contact: If you need assistance to complete a job application or need accommodations for an upcoming interview, email us: STLS.TalentAcquisitionTeam@stls.frb.org.
What to Expect after an Interview
If you are selected for a position, a formal offer letter will be sent to you. Note that all offers are contingent on satisfactory results of a candidate's drug screening and background check. If it wasn't the right fit this time, you will be notified by email and are welcome to continue to apply for other jobs at the St. Louis Fed.