Using STAR to answer questions at interview

The STAR method is a great way to answer interview questions.

Start by telling a story by laying out the Situation, Task, Action, and Result of a behaviourial interview questions such as "Tell me about a time you failed in a task at work" It helps you provide a comprehensive and compelling answer that showcases your skills and experience. Here's how to use it:

S - Situation:

• Set the scene: Describe the context of your story. Where were you working? What was your role? What was the background of the situation?
• Be specific: Don't be vague. Provide relevant details to help the interviewer understand the situation.
• Keep it concise: Get to the point without unnecessary rambling.

Example: "In my previous role as a marketing coordinator at (Previous company)  we were tasked with launching a new product line within a very tight deadline."

T - Task:

• Explain your responsibility: What was your specific role or task in this situation?
• Highlight challenges: Were there any obstacles or challenges you needed to overcome?
• Focus on your role: Even in a team situation, emphasize your individual contributions.

Example: "My responsibility was to create and execute the social media campaign for the launch. We had limited budget and resources, and our team was still quite new."

A - Action:

• Describe your actions: What steps did you take to complete your task or address the challenge?
• Use strong action verbs: "I analysed," "I implemented," "I negotiated," etc.
• Provide details: Give specific examples of your actions and decisions.

Example: "I analysed our target audience on different platforms and identified the most effective channels to reach them. I then developed a content calendar with engaging posts and visuals, focusing on organic reach to maximise our limited budget. I also collaborated with influencers to generate buzz and reach a wider audience."

R - Result:

• Explain the outcome: What was the result of your actions?
• Quantify your achievements: Use metrics and numbers to demonstrate your success whenever possible.
• Connect to the job: Highlight how the skills and experience you demonstrated are relevant to the position you're interviewing for.

Example: "As a result of the campaign, we exceeded our initial sales goals by 15% within the first month. The social media engagement was also significantly higher than previous campaigns, with a 20% increase in followers and a 30% increase in website traffic. This experience taught me the importance of strategic planning, creative content creation, and effective collaboration in achieving marketing objectives."

Key Tips for Using the STAR Method:

• Prepare in advance: Think about your experiences and identify examples that demonstrate the skills and qualities the employer is looking for.
• Practice your stories: Rehearse your STAR stories out loud to ensure they are clear, concise, and compelling.
• Be honest and authentic: Don't embellish or exaggerate your experiences.
• Tailor your answers: Adjust your stories to fit the specific question and the job requirements.

By using the STAR method, you can effectively communicate your skills and experience in a memorable and impactful way, increasing your chances of interview success.

We hope that these tips and suggestions help you in your next interview. 

Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash