How to Use the STAR Interview Response
Method
The STAR interview response method is a way of answering behavioral
interview questions. Behavioral interview questions are questions about how you have
behaved in the past. Specifically, they are about how you have handled certain work
situations. Employers using this technique analyze jobs and define the skills and
qualities that high-level performers have exhibited in that job.
For example, employers might be looking for proof of problem-solving skills, analytical
ability, creativity, perseverance through failure, writing skills, presentation
skills, teamwork orientation, persuasive skills, quantitative skills, or accuracy.
Examples of behavioral interview questions include the following:
Tell me about an occasion when you had to complete a task under a tight
deadline.
Have you ever gone above and beyond the call of duty?
What do you do when a team member refuses to complete his or her quota of the
work?
Some interviewers structure their questions using the STAR technique. However, job
seekers can also use the STAR interview method to prepare for behavioral interview
questions.
STAR Key Concepts
STAR is an acronym for four key concepts. Each concept is a step the job candidate
can utilize to answer a behavioral interview question. By employing all four steps, the
job candidate thereby provides a comprehensive answer. The concepts in the acronym
comprise the following:
Situation: Describe the context within which you performed a job or faced a challenge at
work. For example, perhaps you were working on a group project, or you had a conflict
with a coworker. This situation can be drawn from a work experience, a volunteer
position, or any other relevant event. Be as specific as possible.
Task: Next, describe your responsibility in that situation. Perhaps you had to help your
group complete a project within a tight deadline, resolve a conflict with a coworker, or hit
a sales target.
Action: You then describe how you completed the task or endeavored to meet the
challenge. Focus on what you did, rather than what your team, boss, or coworker did.
(Tip: Instead of saying, "We did xyx," say "I did xyz.")
Result: Finally, explain the outcomes or results generated by the action taken.
It may be helpful to emphasize what you accomplished, or what you learned.
How to Prepare for an Interview Using STAR
Since you won’t know in advance what interviewing techniques your interviewer will be
using, you’ll benefit from preparing several scenarios from the jobs you’ve held.
First, make a list of the skills and/or experiences that are required for the job.
It may help you to look at the job listing and similar job listings for indications of the
required or preferred skills/qualities and match your qualifications to those listed in the
posting. Then, consider specific examples of occasions when you displayed those skills.
For each example, name the situation, task, action, and result.
Whatever examples you select, make sure they are as closely related to the job you’re
interviewing for as possible.
You can also take a look at common behavioral interview questions, and try answering
each of them using the STAR technique.
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-is-the-star-interview-response-technique-2061629