JOB INTERVIEW TIPS-STAR interviews
Posted 1st November 2019 • Written by People First • •
Job Interview Tips- STAR interview method
Have you heard of the STAR method of interviewing?
If you’ve had a job interview in the last few years, it was probably using the STAR method.
If you get asked something like “Tell me about a time when…” or “Give me an example of…”
then it’s a STAR interview.
The STAR interview technique asks you to give real-life examples of how you handled a certain kind of situation at work in the past.
They often start like this:
“Tell me about a time when…”
“What do you do when…”
“Have you ever…”
“Give me an example of…”
“Describe a…”
Here’s what STAR stands for:
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.
If you keep this clear in your head it will help a lot!
Here’s more detail:
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Find a Suitable Example
There’s no way for you to know ahead of time exactly what the interviewer will ask you so have a few stories and examples you can call on and adapt for different questions.
If you’re struggling during your interview to come up with an example that fits, don’t be afraid to ask to take a minute.
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Lay Out the Situation
Your goal here is to paint a clear picture of the situation you were in and show its complexities, so that the result you touch on later seems that much more profound. Keep things concise and focus on what’s undeniably relevant to your story.
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Highlight the Task
You’re telling this story for a reason—because you had some sort of core involvement in it. This is the part of your answer when you make the interviewer understand exactly where you fit in.
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Share How You Took Action
Now that you’ve given the interviewer a sense of what your role was, it’s time to explain what you did. What steps did you take to reach that goal or solve that problem?
This is your chance to really show your contribution. Make sure that you give enough information about exactly what you did. Did you work with a certain team? Use a particular piece of software? Form a detailed plan? Those are the things your interviewer wants to know.
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The Result