The STAR method is a structured way to answer competency and behavioral interview questions, helping you communicate your skills and experiences clearly and concisely.
Breaking Down STAR
- S — Situation: Describe the context or background. Present a specific event or situation, not a general story—set the scene, outlining where and when it happened and who was involved.
- T — Task: Explain what your responsibility, role, or objective was in that situation. Make it clear what you had to achieve or solve.
- A — Action: Specifically describe what you did, the steps you took, and your approach. Focus on your contribution, skills, and behaviours that were relevant to the task.
- R — Result: Share the outcome of your actions—the impact and results, ideally with numbers or concrete data. Highlight what you learned or achieved as a result.
Example Answer Using STAR
Question: “Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership skills.”
- Situation: In my previous digital marketing job, our newsletter wasn’t getting much attention.
- Task: My job was to increase newsletter sign-ups.
- Action: I organized a meeting to brainstorm creative ideas and led a social media campaign.
- Result: Over three months, sign-ups increased by 25%. Management then used my approach in other teams.
Tips
- Keep examples brief and relevant.
- Focus on your actions (“I did…” not “we did…”).
- Use real examples from work, volunteering, or personal experience.
- Share positive or measurable results when possible.
- Be ready for follow-up questions on your example.