The STAR method: The secret to acing your next job interview
Are you good at telling stories? Do you get right to the point and include all the relevant details? Or do you tend to forget to mention key details and ramble?
In a job interview, you’re probably familiar with questions like “Tell me about a time when you…”, “How do you handle…..”, or “Give an example of how you…..”
These types of questions can often feel challenging and stressful. While you may recognise the need to provide a specific example, recalling a relevant experience under pressure can be difficult. After some reflection, you might successfully identify an appropriate example from your memory.
Fortunately, there is a very simple solution to answering these types of interview questions effectively. It’s called the STAR method and it will help you to answer STAR interview questions concisely and coherently.
What is the STAR method?
The STAR method is an interview technique that gives you a straightforward format to tell a story, by laying out the Situation, Task, Action and Result.
- Situation: Set the scene and give the necessary details of your example
- Task: Describe what your responsibility was in that situation
- Action: Explain exactly what steps you took to address it
- Result: Share what outcomes your actions achieved
Why is the STAR method useful?
The STAR method is useful because it helps you to provide logical, well-structured answers which tell a relevant story.
When following the STAR interview technique, you will ensure that you cover all the necessary details that the interviewer is looking for—and that you do so in a coherent, easy-to-follow way.
By focusing on the four points of STAR, you can also avoid rambling, going off on a tangent, or diving into too much detail and losing the point you wanted to make.
When to use the STAR method
The STAR method is a valuable technique you can apply to your answers for behavioural and competency-based interview questions. Employers ask STAR interview questions to surmise how you will perform in specific scenarios. They ask competency interview questions to ensure you have the specific competencies required for the job. These questions are easy to recognise, as they often have tell-tale openings.
Common STAR interview questions that can be answered with the STAR method
“Can you tell me about a time when…”
- You had to take on a new task that you had no experience doing before
- You made a mistake at work
- You had to delegate to other colleagues or team members
“How do you handle it when…”
- You have clashing deadlines and not enough time to meet them all?
- You and a colleague can’t reach an agreement on something?
- A last-minute request comes in and you’ve already got lots on your plate?
“Can you give me an example of…”
- A successful project you worked on
- A time when you had to work with a difficult or uncooperative colleague or client
- An unsuccessful project you worked on
The interviewer won’t always formulate their behavioural questions in the same way. But, if it sounds like they’re digging for insights into how you approach certain challenges and situations, the chances are that they’re looking for a concrete example or an anecdote. That’s your cue to apply the STAR interview technique.
How do you prepare the STAR method ahead of your interview?
- Plan ahead and have some STAR stories at the ready
You can’t anticipate exactly what questions will come up in your interview. But you can—and should—spend some time reading through the job description to get an idea of the skills and qualities the hiring manager will be looking out for.
- Construct a few strong STAR answers using only the most relevant detail
When using the STAR method, it’s important to follow the framework to the letter. The goal is to share every story or example in a concise, logical manner—delivering the relevant points and making it easy for the hiring manager to follow along.
- Practise… Practise… Practise
It’s great to go into your interview with some STAR stories at the ready. At the same time, it’s important that you’re able to implement the STAR interview technique on the fly, too. Find a friend, colleague, or relative who can roleplay the interview with you. Ask them to come up with some STAR interview questions based on the job description and practice answering them using the STAR framework—with no prior preparation.
The STAR interview method might seem a little overwhelming at first. But with just a little preparation and strategy, you will soon view STAR interview questions as less of a burden and more of an opportunity to emphasise your awesome qualifications.
If you would like to find out more about the above, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with your local Taylor Root consultant.
