Career Success Guide

Interviewing Using the S.T.A.R. Technique The S.T.A.R. Technique, when used well, is heard as a seamless narrative that provides a specifc example of experience. This may sound simple, but without preparation it is easy to give an answer that skips key details or doesn’t have a natural ending. Use the structure below to make a list of examples in advance. This will enhance your answers during an interview to be as seamless as possible.

Task What was required of you? What goal(s) were you working toward?

Action Talk about what you actually did and the action(s) that you took. What specifc steps did you take? Describe your contribution with an appropriate amount of detail.

Situation This provides the overview, or context for your story. Describe a specifc event or situation and give enough detail for the interviewer to understand what skills you used effectively that you will bring to their company. This situation can be from a previous job, co-op, volunteer experience, class project, or any relevant event.

Result How were you successful? What did you learn? Describe the outcome of your actions and take credit for your accomplishments. This also provides a natural ending to your narrative.

Communication Situation: Snowstorm during Career Conference Task: Coordinate new parking for 400+ people Action: Work with committee members to streamline communication Result: All employers parked successfully with minimal confusion Teamwork Situation: ____________________________________________ Task: ________________________________________________ Action: ______________________________________________ Result: ______________________________________________ Decision Making Situation: ____________________________________________ Task: ________________________________________________ Action: ______________________________________________ Result: ______________________________________________

Organization Situation: ____________________________________________ Task: ________________________________________________ Action: ______________________________________________ Result: ______________________________________________ Analyzing Situation: ____________________________________________ Task: ________________________________________________ Action: ______________________________________________ Result: ______________________________________________

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