How to use the STAR method in your next interview

Preparing for an interview can be a challenge for any job seeker. Success is all in the preparation, and one way you can make the most of your time with a hiring manager, is by taking the STAR approach.

The STAR method allows you to plan your answers and communicate your skills in the best way. This method can also be used in your CV, cover letters, applications and more! Once you get the hang of it, it will help keep your skills and experience front of mind for your interviewer.

What is the star method?

Simply put, the STAR method is a way of answering a question by outlining a situation, task, action and result.

Situation – The context in which you performed a task or faced the challenge. This is your opportunity to be specific about the situation. For example; In my previous role we were assigned a project where the timeline moved up by 2 weeks due to an unforeseen circumstance.

Task – Next you should explain the task or challenge involved and what was required of you to overcome the problem. For example; The task was to present a website for initial review with our client. My role was to coordinate multiple departments to ensure delivery of the project inline with the clients expectations.

Action – Describe the specific action you took to address the challenge. The focus here should be on what you did to rectify the situation and step closer to resolution. For example; To overcome this, I first hosted a project briefing with all heads of department involved in the project to inform them of the change in timeline. We took the decision to adjust other project timelines in our work schedule, where possible, and included more team members in the project to deliver it in a shorter timeframe. I also provided daily project updates to monitor progress and spot any issues early.

Result – What was the outcome of your actions and the impact? What did you learn? For example; Consequently we were able to deliver the website project to the client within the shorter timeframe. We learned for future projects that daily project updates helped us team member stay on task and focused on the top priorities. We subsequently implemented this in a future project and delivered this two weeks quicker than our standard timeline, allowing us to take on more work within the business and increase revenue.

How do you use the star method?

The STAR method can be used to tackle any behavioural question in an interview. This technique will allow you to be clear with your answers and have compelling responses that demonstrate your ability to handle challenging situations.

What are some examples of questions where I could use the STAR method?

• Tell me about a situation where you had to handle a difficult colleague, how did you resolve the conflict?
• Describe a time when you had to make a tough decision in a short timeframe, what was the result?
• Can you share an experience where you had to lead a team, what was the outcome?
• Describe a time you faced a setback or failure at work, how did you recover from it?
• Tell me about a situation where you identified an opportunity to improve a process, what steps did you take to implement this?

As with any interview, preparation is key. Practice answers for frequently asked questions out loud, ensuring you are clear and concise with your answers. Draw from your recent experience and tailor your answers to the job description, so you can address the needs of their business.

And most of all, interviews are a two-way street. Make sure you like the business as much as they like you. Ask questions, be professional and keep engaged. Good luck!