CAREER PLANNING FINDING A JOB INTERVIEW STRATEGIES

How to Use the STAR Interview

Response Method
By Alison Doyle | Updated on September 14, 2022

In This Article

STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result

What Is the STAR Interview Response Method?

STAR Key Concepts

How To Prepare for an Interview Using STAR

Examples of Interview Questions and Answers Using STAR

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PHOTO: SDI PRODUCTIONS / GETTY IMAGES

Are job interviews challenging for you? Do you struggle to give concise
answers to interview questions? Are you unsure how to share your
accomplishments during an interview without sounding boastful? What's
the best way to let the interviewer know that you're the right candidate
for the job?

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The STAR interview response method can help make the process easier.
Using this method of answering interview questions allows you to share
concrete examples of how you successfully handled situations at work to
show that you possess the experience and skills required for the job
you’re interviewing for.

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Read below for a detailed description of the STAR interview response

technique and examples of how to best use it.

Key Takeaways
STAR stands for situation, task, action, result.
 Each concept in the STAR acronym is a step that candidates can
use to respond to interview questions.

By following all four steps, applicants can provide comprehensive

answers to interview questions.

STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result

STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Using this strategy is
particularly helpful in response to competency-focused questions, which
typically start with phrases such as, "Describe a time when..." or, "Share
an example of a situation where...." [1]

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PHOTO: JON MARCHIONE / THE BALANCE

What Is 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. [2]

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Employers using this technique analyze jobs and define the skills and
qualities that high-level performers have exhibited in that job. Since past
performance can be a good predictor of the future, interviewers ask these
questions to determine whether candidates have the skills and
experiences required to excel in the job.

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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 take when answering a behavioral interview question. By
following all four steps, the job candidate will provide a comprehensive
answer. The four steps referenced in the acronym are the following: [3]

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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 co-worker. 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 co-worker, or hit a sales target.

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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 co-worker did.

Note
Instead of saying, "We did XYZ," 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.

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Make a list of the job qualifications. First, make a list of the skills and/or
experiences that are required for the job you're applying for. It may help to
look at the job listing and similar job listings for indications of the required
or preferred skills/qualities. You can then match your qualifications to
those listed in the posting.

Create a list of examples. Then, consider specific examples of

occasions when you displayed those skills. For each example, name
the situation, task, action, and result.

Match your skills to the job. Whatever examples you select, make sure
they are as closely related to the job you’re interviewing for as possible.

Prepare a response. For each example, prepare a brief response: [4]

Describe the situation (2-3 sentences).

Explain your task (1-2 sentences).

Describe the action you took (2-3 sentences).

 Share your result (2-3 sentences).

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Note
You can also take a look at common behavioral interview questions
and try answering each of them using the STAR technique.

Examples of Interview Questions and

Answers Using STAR

Tell me about a time you had to complete a task

within a tight deadline. Describe the situation and
explain how you handled it.
 Example Answer
While I typically like to plan out my work in stages and complete it
piece by piece, I can also achieve high-quality work results under tight
deadlines. Once, at a former company, an employee left days before
the deadline of one of his projects. I was asked to assume
responsibility for it, with only a few days to learn about and complete
the project. I created a task force and delegated work, and we all
completed the assignment with a day to spare. In fact, I believe I
thrive when working under tight deadlines.

What do you do when a team member doesn't

complete their share of the work?

Example Answer
When there are team conflicts or issues, I always try my best to step
up as team leader if needed. I think my communication skills make me
an effective leader and moderator. For example, one time, when I was
working on a team project, two of the team members got embroiled in
an argument, both refusing to complete their assignments. They were
both dissatisfied with their workloads, so I arranged a team meeting
in which we reallocated all the assignments among the
team members. This made everyone happier and more productive,
and our project was a success.

Tell me about a time you showed initiative on the

job.
 Example Answer
Last winter, I was acting as an account coordinator, supporting the
account executive for a major client at an ad agency. The account
executive had an accident and was sidelined three weeks before a
major campaign pitch.

I volunteered to fill in and orchestrate the presentation by

coordinating the input of the creative and media teams. I called an
emergency meeting and facilitated a discussion about ad
scenarios, media plans, and the roles of various team members
in relation to the presentation.

I was able to achieve a consensus on two priority ad concepts

that we had to pitch and on related media strategies. I drew up a
minute-by-minute plan of how we would present the
pitch. Based on our discussions, the plan was warmly received by the
team. The client loved our plan and adopted the campaign. I was
promoted to account executive six months later.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can you share examples of your achievements

during a job interview?
One of the best ways to share your accomplishments with an interviewer
is by telling a story. When answering questions, share a description of
what you did and how you achieved a positive outcome. This way, you’re
showing the interviewer what you’re able to do rather than just telling
them you can do the job.
What can you do when you can’t think of an answer
to an interview question?
When you’re asked a challenging question, use the STAR interview
technique to respond. Think of something you did at work related to the
question, then explain how you handled the situation and what the
outcome was.

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