How can you give SPECIFIC examples when using the STAR method?

1 Identify relevant skills

Before you prepare your STAR stories, you need to identify the skills and competencies that the employer is looking for. You can do this by analyzing the job description, researching the company culture, and reviewing the common behavioral questions for your industry or role. Once you have a list of the key skills, you can brainstorm examples from your past experiences that show how you used or developed those skills in different situations.

3 Focus on your role

Another tip to give specific examples is to focus on your role and contribution in the situation. You want to highlight what you did, how you did it, and why you did it, rather than what others did or what happened in general. For example, if you worked on a group project, you can explain what your role and responsibilities were, how you communicated and collaborated with your teammates, and what challenges or conflicts you faced and resolved. Focusing on your role shows your skills and abilities, and it also helps you avoid sounding too passive or modest.

4 Use the STAR format

The STAR format is a great way to organize your responses when giving specific examples. It helps you avoid rambling or missing important information, and makes it easier for the interviewer to follow your story. The four steps of the STAR format are: Situation, Task, Action, and Result. In the Situation step, you should describe the context and background of the situation, such as where it happened, when it happened, who was involved, and what was the problem or goal. The Task step explains what your task or objective was in the situation. In the Action step, you should describe what actions you took to complete the task or solve the problem. Finally, in the Result step, explain what results or outcomes you achieved from your actions. Using this format ensures that you give specific examples that showcase your skills and achievements in a clear and concise way.