How to master the ‘STAR’ technique

How to master the ‘STAR’ technique

Commonly preparation for an interview will entail lots of Google searches into how to answer questions such as ‘Tell me more about yourself’ and ‘Why do you want to work here?’ To which there is a plethora of support advising the best responses to give that can certainly support you in securing the role you are aiming for. 

You may be able to provide a great example in response to the question but if it is not framed correctly, it may confuse the interviewer and leave vital gaps in your answer meaning it won’t fully answer the question. The 'STAR technique' is a succinct way to communicate in an interview, or when providing feedback, so that your responses are formulated effectively and in depth. 

Each scenario and example can be broken down into four sections where you can analyse any problems and the steps you took to resolve these: 

Situation – For this section you should explain the context of a problem posed at you, whether in a place of work, volunteering, education, or personal experiences. 

Task – Here you would need to outline your role in this situation and what your ultimate goal.  

Action – At this point you would need to describe in depth the task at hand and focus on what you did to contribute to creating a solution.

Result – Finally, you would need to explain how you came to a resolution following the actions and what you learned from this situation. 

Bonus points can come from adding an analysis where you explain how you could have worked better, and what you could change if you were to do this task again. Bear in mind that the interviewer will be looking for the skills and qualities that are specifically required for the role you’ve applied for, e.g., if it’s a managerial role, they might be listening to hear what action and role you took in finding a solution. 

It is vital to read through the job description and person specification prior to coming up with some pre-prepared responses. Since once you know what the interviewer is looking for, you can find examples in your work experience and personal life to explain how you have the skill and qualities to fulfil the required roles and responsibilities. 

Hopefully these hints & tips will help you prepare for your interview and secure the next move in your career! Good luck from team WMJobs!