Are you one of those people who gets jittery when it comes to answering behavioral interview questions in a proper manner that can actually impress the interviewer? If your answer is yes, this article is curated just for you. Long gone are the days when the “Tell me about the time when…” type of questions baffled you but now you can tackle such questions with this amazing strategy called the STAR Method which can help you ace your next interview with ease. This approach can help you to provide clear and concise answers to questions while showcasing your skills and experiences.
With the STAR method, you can:
- Answer behavioral interview questions in a structured manner.
- Develop your storytelling skills.
- Explain your achievements in a brief form.
This article will help you to build your interview skills without mumbling nonsense during interviews and will make you seem responsible too. Before that, we’ll discuss what the STAR Method is and how you can use it to prepare for your next interview.
What is the STAR Method?
The STAR method is a structured way of responding to behavioral interview questions.
S: Situation
T: Task
A: Action
R: Result
When using the STAR interview method, you first describe the situation you were in, then the task you were trying to accomplish, the action you took to accomplish that task, and finally, the result that you accomplish.
The STAR method is a helpful way to structure your answers because it forces you to think about specific examples of times when you have demonstrated desired skills or behaviors. It also helps to keep your answers concise and focused on the most important details.
When answering behavioral interview questions using the STAR method, be sure to use specific and concrete examples. Vague or general answers will not impress the interviewer and will not give them the information they need to make a hiring decision.
How to Use the STAR Method?
Now that you know the crux of the STAR method then let’s take a look that how you can apply it while giving an interview:
1. Lying out the “Situation”
First, provide a brief overview of the situation you are discussing, that’s what we call lying about the situation. Instead of wasting time describing unnecessary details, focus on establishing yourself professionally and directly before getting into more personal matters like hobbies/ interests, etc.
In an interview, you will often be asked to provide an example of a time when you faced a specific challenge or overcame an obstacle. When answering this type of question, it is important to first take a moment to think about your answer. Once you have selected a relevant example, take the time to set up the situation so that your interviewer has a clear understanding of the context.
You want to paint a clear picture of your situation so the interviewer will understand what you’re saying. Make things short and sweet, staying focused on only those aspects that pertain directly in order for this answer to be most effective!
2. Point Out the “Task”
Now, it’s time for highlighting the task. One of the most important things you can do in an interview is to take the time to clearly describe the task that you were asked to complete. This may seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference in how your answer is received.
When interviewers ask about your experience, they want to know not only what you did, but also how well you did it. By clearly describing the task, you can give the interviewer a better sense of your skills and abilities.
In addition, taking the time to describe the task shows that you are willing to take the time to communicate clearly and accurately. This attention to detail is an important quality in any employee, and it will impress your interviewer.
3. Tell How You Took the “Action”
With a sense of what your role was, it’s time to explain how you reached that goal or solved the problem. What steps did take and why are they important?
You might think giving a vague or glossed-over answer like, “So I worked hard on it…” is acceptable but don’t be fooled – this can actually backfire and make you seem less committed to the position.
If possible provide more specific details about what YOU did in order for your contribution not just randomly come across as average when there are other applicants who went above and beyond with their contributions!
For instance, let’s say you’re applying for a job as a customer service representative. If you simply state that you “handled customer inquiries,” the interviewer won’t have a clear idea of what that entails. However, if you describe an instance where you diffused a difficult customer situation, the interviewer will be able to see that you have the skills they’re looking for.
In short, always back up your claims with specific examples. This will give the interviewer a much better sense of your abilities and whether or not you’re a good fit for the position.
4. What “Result” Did You Bring?
Your time has come. Your response to this question is an opportunity for you to share how your actions made a difference in the world and what happened as a result of them!
It is crucial to mention the results of your actions whenever you discuss a task that you completed. This is because employers are looking for employees who are not only competent but also produce good results.
When you mention the results of your actions, it shows that you are able to not only complete the task but also achieve positive outcomes. This can give employers confidence in your ability to do the job well and help them to see you as a valuable asset to their company.
In addition, mentioning the results of your actions can also help to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to think on your feet. These are both highly sought-after qualities in employees, so mentioning the results of your actions in an interview can be a great way to make yourself stand out from the competition.
Types of Interview Questions Based on the STAR Method:
Here are a few questions that are well-suited for the STAR interview method:
- Explain your approach toward team-work
- What or which problems did you solve while working in your last organization
- Tell us about a situation where you had to lead a team
- Describe a situation where you had to use your creativity to complete the task
- How did you overcome the challenges in your previous team
- Give us an example where you managed a complete project by yourself and achieved success
“Tell me about a time when you…” type of behavioral interview questions can become daunting when you don’t know how to answer them. What if we tell you that your problem is solved with this article – Top 25 Behavioral Interview Questions (With Sample Answers) where you’ll not only get the most common behavioral interview questions top companies asked but also sample answers so you can create your own answer accordingly.
Examples of Answers Based on the STAR Method:
Situation: When you are asked about handling a tough situation
– After joining my last company I was promoted to the position of senior sales manager where I successfully handled the launch of a new product making it a big success
Task: When you are asked about completing a task urgently
– I was given a task by my manager which was to complete in one month but the client for whom we were working was in a hurry. So, I had to complete it in 3 weeks.
Action: When you are asked about the call of action
– As a customer representative, my task was to answer most of the customer queries via calls and emails. By the end of the day, I had to attend to them all and resolve each one of them positively.
Result: When you are asked about achieving the results
– I was positioned as a sales representative and exceeded my sales target by 25%.
Parting Words:
The STAR method is a great way to prepare for your next job interview. By practicing this technique, you can ensure that you will be able to answer any question that may come up during the course of the interview.
