Be Brilliant In Interviews With S.T.A.R

Preparing for interviews can be quite a daunting challenge as no matter how perfectly ready we might be before heading into the designated room or venue (virtually too with the rise of remote interviews), there is no guarantee that the exchange will go smoothly without any hiccups. So how then can we be better prepared and give the best conversation we can offer?

Enter the S.T.A.R response method.

The S.T.A.R response method is highly vital when it comes to interviews because of how easy it is to apply in any situation. It keeps the conversation structured and creates a powerful storytelling flow of how you handle your past experiences. Simple yet impactful, this is one technique you’d want to integrate into your interviews while searching for the next step in your career.

During an interview, once all the formalities are done, there’s usually time for a few exchanges of questions. Here’s where the S.T.A.R method kicks in.

S.T.A.R consists of Situation, Task, Action, and Results. Here are a brief breakdown and description of each point.

Situation: An event or challenge faced

Before the interview, pick a few scenarios from your past experiences that you feel can elevate your status and impress the hiring managers. When asked, select the situation that adapts and relates best to the question asked. Be very specific with the details but at the same time, keep it short and to the point.

Task: Your roles and responsibility

Next, elaborate more on the role you play in the situation. Describe the challenges you took control of and define yourself as the “main character” in the responsibilities you took charge of.

Action: The response or action taken to handle the situation

Then, explain in detail how you handled the situation at hand. The Action factor is important because it gives the hiring managers a gauge of how you perform when placed under pressure. It allows them to analyze your problem-solving skills, as well as other desirable qualities they would want to include in their teams.

Results: Outcome of the actions taken

Lastly, the outcome of the situation as a whole. It is crucial to note that the story doesn’t always have to have a happy ending. Be honest with the results. Even if it does not end in a positive and desirable outcome, you can still show qualities that you persevere even in failure and that you take these experiences as a lesson to grow to become better.