How to back up your answers using the STAR model

When you realize interviews are more of the interviewer getting to know who you are, it stops being an interrogation and starts being more like a conversation. As you answer the questions, a great technique you can use is the STAR model. (Situation - Task - Action - Result).

The STAR interview response technique is a way of answering behavioral interview questions. These are questions about how you have behaved in the past, how you have handled certain work situations.

For example, employers might be looking for proof of problem-solving skills, analytical ability, creativity, perseverance through failure, writing skills, presentation skills, teamwork orientation, persuasive skills, quantitative skills, or accuracy.

Examples of behavioral interview questions include the following:

• Tell me about an occasion when you had to complete a task under a tight deadline.
• Have you ever worked in a team before and contributed to its success?
• What do you do when a team member refuses to complete his or her quota of the work?

STAR is an acronym for four key concepts. Each concept is a step the job candidate can utilize to answer a behavioral interview question. The concepts in the acronym comprise the following:

Situation: Describe the context within which you performed a job or faced a challenge at work. For example, perhaps you were working on a group project This situation can be drawn from a work or school experience, a volunteer position, or any other relevant event. Be as specific as possible.

Task: Next, describe your responsibility in that situation. Perhaps you had to help your group complete a project within a tight deadline.

Action: You then describe how you completed the task or endeavored to meet the challenge. Focus on what you did, rather than what your team, boss, or coworker did. (Tip: Instead of saying, "We did xyx," say "I did xyz.") 

Result: Finally, explain the outcomes or results generated by the action taken. It may be helpful to emphasize what you accomplished, or what you learned.

Examples of Interview Questions and Answers Using STAR

Example Question 1: Tell me about a time you had to complete a task within a tight deadline.

While I typically like to plan out my work in stages and complete it piece by piece, I can also achieve high-quality work results under tight deadlines. Once, at a former company, an employee left days before the imminent deadline of one of his projects. I was asked to assume responsibility for it, with only a few days to learn about and complete the project. I created a task force and delegated work, and we all completed the assignment with a day to spare. In fact, I believe I thrive when working under tight deadlines.

Example Question 2: What do you do when a team member refuses to complete his or her quota of the work?

When there are team conflicts or issues, I always try my best to step up as team leader if needed. I think my communication skills make me an effective leader and moderator. For example, one time, when I was working on a team project, two of the team members got embroiled in an argument, both refusing to complete their assignments. They were both dissatisfied with their workloads, so I arranged a team meeting where we reallocated all the assignments among the team members. This made everyone happier and more productive, and our project was a success.

Example Question 3: How have you worked as a team before and contributed to its success

That's a good one. Right in my accounting class we were working on this project, we actually took one of my ideas and moved forward with it and as the leader, one of the main things I was focusing on is making sure that everyone has a voice and that their opinions are heard. Collaboration is what really drives success more than working alone and in most situations I find myself taking initiative more, because I really want to make sure it goes well and I also want to be involved.

Using the STAR model might not be easy, it requires practise, a lot of it. You don't want to be in an interview then you start thinking of scenarios, you will end up telling so many stories that don't make sense. "confused" is what you will look like. So as you start using it, have at least one scenario in mind, and try and practise before the interview.

A great way to practise answering questions using the STAR model would be by trying to tell a story using the same model, Lets say, (Situation)Yesterday as I was going home, I saw a helpless children trying to cross the road, (Task) I wanted to help them get to the other side, (Action) I held their hands and taught them how to cross the road then safely helped them to the other side, (Result) the children were grateful to have crossed the road and ran home happily.

Let's try one with a break-up story,

Last week Mike called, he said he needed a break, I loved him, I wanted to save the relationship,I called him and convinced him it was going to work, he said he was done.

(Situation)Last week Mike called, he said he needed a break, I loved him, (Task)I wanted to save the relationship, (Action)I called him and convinced him it was going to work, (Results) he said he was done.

You realize using the STAR model to say a story, makes it clear, concise and complete.

Do as much practise while telling stories, even the most simple ones.

Let's try another,

Yesterday as I was drinking tea, I slipped and poured it over my phone, I needed to save my phone, I quickly put it in rice, after two hours it started working again.

On Monday as I was going to work, it began to rain. There was a lot of traffic and I needed to get to work early. I took an Uber. I arrived on time.

Practice! Practice! Practice! ... then practice some more! Practice some more...! and then just a little more!... once more!