{"id":52872,"date":"2023-04-26T23:45:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-26T23:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.frazerjones.com\/?p=52872"},"modified":"2024-10-16T16:13:13","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T16:13:13","slug":"the-star-method-the-secret-to-acing-your-next-job-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frazerjones.com\/nl\/career-advice\/cv-and-interview-tips\/the-star-method-the-secret-to-acing-your-next-job-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"The STAR method: The secret to acing your next job interview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Are you good at telling stories? Do you get right to the point and include all the relevant details? Or do you tend to forget to mention key details or tend to ramble?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a job interview, you\u2019re probably familiar with questions like \u201cTell me about a time when you\u2026\u201d or \u201cHow do you handle\u2026..\u201d or \u201cGive an example of how you\u2026..\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are probably also familiar with how stressful these kinds of questions can be. You know you\u2019re supposed to provide some kind of example, and you know you\u2019ve got loads you could draw from, and after some time umming and ahhing, you eventually pull an example from your mental archives. However, you are still feeling a bit flustered and realise you\u2019re starting to ramble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, there is a very simple solution to this common conundrum. It\u2019s called the STAR method, and it will help you to answer behavioural interview questions concisely and coherently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the STAR method?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The STAR method is an interview technique that gives you a straightforward format you can use to tell a story by laying out the Situation, Task, Action, and Result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Situation:<\/strong> Set the scene and give the necessary details of your example.
Task:<\/strong> Describe what your responsibility was in that situation.
Action:<\/strong> Explain exactly what steps you took to address it.
Result:<\/strong> Share what outcomes your actions achieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is the STAR method useful?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The STAR method is useful because it helps you to provide logical, well-structured answers which tell a relevant story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When following the STAR method, you will ensure that you cover all the necessary details that the interviewer is looking for\u2014and that you do so in a coherent, easy-to-follow way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By focusing on the four points of STAR, you can also avoid rambling, going off on a tangent, or diving into too much detail and losing the point you wanted to make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to use the STAR method.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The STAR method is a valuable technique you can even apply to your answers for behavioural and competency interview questions. Employers ask behavioural interview questions to surmise how you will perform in specific scenarios. They ask competency interview questions to ensure you have the specific competencies required for the job.  These questions are easy to recognise, as they often have tell-tale openings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some common behavioural interview questions which can be answered using the STAR method:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Can you tell me about a time when\u2026”<\/p>\n\n\n\n