What is the STAR technique?

The STAR approach provides the framework for answering interview questions clearly and effectively. STAR stands for:

Situation - Set the scene and provide context for your example

Task - Explain what you had to do, including your responsibilities or objectives in that situation

Action - Describe the steps you took to address the situation

Result - Share the outcomes of your actions and what you learned

This framework helps you tell a complete story allowing you to showcase your skills and experience in action.

Common Competency-Based Questions

Prepare for questions like:

• "Share an example of a time when you faced a difficult problem at work. How did you solve this problem?"
• "Share an example of when you went above and beyond what was expected of you in your role.”
• "Share an example of when something went wrong. How did you address the problem and what did you learn?"
• "Tell me about a time you worked as a team to achieve a specific goal and describe your specific contribution."
• “Tell me about a time you had to motivate your peers. How did you do it and what was the outcome?”

Preparing for Success with STAR

To make the most of this technique:

• Ask a friend or family member to conduct mock interviews so you can practice delivering STAR-structured responses
• Review the job description carefully and prepare relevant examples that highlight the skills and experiences the employer is seeking
• Create a list of situations where you overcame adversity, demonstrated leadership, or achieved significant results
• Describe a goal you accomplished and the steps you took to achieve this
• Keep your responses short and to the point

The STAR technique gives you the framework to craft engaging stories that demonstrate your capabilities and suitability for the position.

STAR Example 1: Self-Management

Question: "Tell me about a time you were under pressure at work and how you handled the situation?"

Situation: I work well under pressure. In my last job I worked for a small manufacturing company. Due to a machine error, a batch run of t-shirts were misprinted and this was not picked up until after they had been sent to around 50 of our customers.

Task: We needed to recall the t-shirts. I went to my manager to gain approval for my solution.

Action: Firstly, I identified the customers who had been received the goods, apologised for the error and offered them a new t-shirt along with a 15% discount coupon for their next order. I ensured we had a couple of my team working with our customers to ensure they all received contact from us in a timely manner and followed up when the new t-shirts arrived to check the customers were satisfied.

Result: Identifying and working quickly with the customer ensured they understood the issue and how we were going to rectify it. Our follow-up resulted in much positive feedback and 20 positive customer reviews. This in turn has strengthened our overall position in the market.

Additionally, we have added extra internal checks to ensure the quality of our product so this error in printing does not happen again.

Your Turn to Shine

With several examples prepared and practice under your belt, you'll be ready to handle whatever questions come your way during your interview. Using the STAR technique ensures you answer thoroughly, providing evidence of your capabilities to potential employers.

By using the STAR technique you don’t just tell interviewers what you can do, you demonstrate your past achievements and learnings through your own compelling stories.

At PN Personnel we can guide you through the recruitment process, including insight into the interview process so you are best prepared with answers using the STAR technique to shine.