Make sure you're using STAR successfully
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2025 5:56 am
You can tailor the technique to flesh out any example and highlight the key skills you used that match the criteria the interview is looking for. So don’t panic if you haven’t saved the company hundreds of thousands of pounds!
Simply use the technique to demonstrate any example of a time where you’ve taken action to overcome difficulties. You might have saved your team the headache of losing paper by creating a better filing system, or made a team meeting run more efficiently by introducing an agenda. Whatever your example, the STAR system will help you identify the key elements, and keep you focused as you tell it to the interviewer.
These are just a few examples of how to put the STAR system into action.
But that’s just part of the story. Now you know how the system works you need to colombia phone number library apply four rules to make it work successfully.
Be specific
Demonstrate one example rather than combining several. Also quantify information where you can. If you spoke to a number of clients, say how many. If you cleared a backlog of admin files, estimate how many.
Concise
No one likes waffle and your interviewer will thank you for keeping it short and sweet. Maximise the value of your answer by describing the key points only. You might start to wander off due to interview nerves. Remember where you are in the STAR stage – have you outlined the situation sufficiently? Great, now move on to what you needed to achieve. Keep on track and don’t forget to show how you solved the problem!
Keep it positive
Avoid using examples where you risk slating ex-colleagues. You don’t want to come across as a person who blames others. If you must use an example where it was someone’s fault, try to couch your response in positive terms. Instead of poor customer service due to ineffective staff, perhaps the customer service team were struggling due to a new technical system - you could then go on to say how you rectified it, leading to a happier, more effective team and an increase in positive customer comments.
Keep it smooth
Don’t make it obvious that you’re using the STAR system. It works best when your answer is given as a coherent, smooth reply. It will come across as a well-articulated answer that contains maximum information.
Avoid saying ‘the situation was X, my target was therefore Y and the result was Z’
Write the example down beforehand and practise it until it sounds natural. Struggling to get a natural flow going? Imagine you’re telling a friend about this situation.
Simply use the technique to demonstrate any example of a time where you’ve taken action to overcome difficulties. You might have saved your team the headache of losing paper by creating a better filing system, or made a team meeting run more efficiently by introducing an agenda. Whatever your example, the STAR system will help you identify the key elements, and keep you focused as you tell it to the interviewer.
These are just a few examples of how to put the STAR system into action.
But that’s just part of the story. Now you know how the system works you need to colombia phone number library apply four rules to make it work successfully.
Be specific
Demonstrate one example rather than combining several. Also quantify information where you can. If you spoke to a number of clients, say how many. If you cleared a backlog of admin files, estimate how many.
Concise
No one likes waffle and your interviewer will thank you for keeping it short and sweet. Maximise the value of your answer by describing the key points only. You might start to wander off due to interview nerves. Remember where you are in the STAR stage – have you outlined the situation sufficiently? Great, now move on to what you needed to achieve. Keep on track and don’t forget to show how you solved the problem!
Keep it positive
Avoid using examples where you risk slating ex-colleagues. You don’t want to come across as a person who blames others. If you must use an example where it was someone’s fault, try to couch your response in positive terms. Instead of poor customer service due to ineffective staff, perhaps the customer service team were struggling due to a new technical system - you could then go on to say how you rectified it, leading to a happier, more effective team and an increase in positive customer comments.
Keep it smooth
Don’t make it obvious that you’re using the STAR system. It works best when your answer is given as a coherent, smooth reply. It will come across as a well-articulated answer that contains maximum information.
Avoid saying ‘the situation was X, my target was therefore Y and the result was Z’
Write the example down beforehand and practise it until it sounds natural. Struggling to get a natural flow going? Imagine you’re telling a friend about this situation.