The PAR format is a common structure used in interviews, resumes, and performance evaluations to showcase how you handled situations and achieved results. It stands for Problem, Action, Result:
- Problem: Describe a specific challenge or situation you encountered. This should set the context and provide the background details of the issue you faced.
- Action: Explain the steps you took to address the problem. Highlight your role, the strategies you implemented, and the approach you followed.
- Result: Share the outcome of your actions. Emphasize the positive impact, such as improvements, savings, growth, or other measurable achievements. Where possible, quantify your results.
Example:
- Problem: A high employee turnover rate was affecting productivity and team morale in our department.
- Action: I implemented an employee engagement initiative that included regular feedback sessions, team-building activities, and a revamped onboarding process.
- Result: Over the next six months, employee retention increased by 40%, and overall team satisfaction scores improved by 25%.
This format is powerful because it presents your experiences in a concise, results-oriented manner.