Interviewing Skills: STAR Technique

Summary

Courtney Seber from BJC Institute for Learning and Development’s Career Services Center explains how to answer behavior-based interview questions using the STAR method. She defines the premise—that past performance predicts future behavior—and walks through the four STAR steps: Situation, Task, Action, and Result. The video contrasts a weak response that speaks negatively about a supervisor with a strong STAR-based example where an employee identified problems with the performance-review template, organized a small focus group, piloted a revised process, and improved employee engagement by 15%. Viewers are encouraged to prepare with STAR to give focused, confident, constructive answers and watch more Career Services videos.

Takeaways

• 😀 Behavior-based questions are commonly used in job interviews to evaluate past performance as an indicator of future success.
• 😀 The STAR technique is an effective method for answering behavior-based questions during interviews.
• 😀 The STAR technique consists of four key steps: State the situation, Describe the task, Explain the Action, and share the Result.
• 😀 The 'State the situation' step requires you to provide relevant background information to set the scene for your answer.
• 😀 The 'Describe the task' step involves talking about the specific assignment or responsibility you had in the situation.
• 😀 In the 'Action' step, you should focus on the specific actions you took to resolve the issue or accomplish the task.
• 😀 The 'Result' step is where you explain the outcome of your actions, including any lessons learned or improvements made.
• 😀 When answering behavior-based questions, avoid speaking negatively about previous employers or colleagues, as it can hurt your candidacy.
• 😀 Instead of vague answers, provide detailed, constructive responses that showcase your problem-solving and resolution skills.
• 😀 Using the STAR technique allows you to give clear, focused, and concise answers, which makes you appear more confident and well-prepared in interviews.
• 😀 The example of a successful STAR-based response showed how proactive problem-solving can positively impact team morale and engagement.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of behavior-based interview questions?

The primary focus of behavior-based interview questions is the idea that past performance in similar situations is the best predictor of future performance. Employers ask these questions to understand how candidates have handled specific challenges in the past.

Why is it important to be well-prepared when answering behavior-based interview questions?

Being well-prepared allows candidates to provide focused, concise, and confident answers. The more prepared you are, the better you can showcase your skills and experiences, which helps make a positive impression on the interviewer.

What does the STAR technique stand for?

The STAR technique stands for: S – State the situation, T – Describe the task, A – Explain the action you took, R – Share the result of your actions.

How does the STAR technique help in answering behavior-based interview questions?

The STAR technique helps structure your answers by breaking them down into clear and logical steps, ensuring that you provide detailed context, your role in the situation, and the positive outcomes from your actions.

What should you include when 'stating the situation' in the STAR technique?

When stating the situation, you should provide relevant background information to set the scene. This includes explaining the context of the challenge you faced, giving the interviewer a clear understanding of the environment.

What is the importance of describing the task in the STAR technique?

Describing the task helps clarify your specific role in the situation. It lets the interviewer know what was expected of you and what goal or challenge you were working towards.

Can you explain the significance of explaining the action taken in the STAR technique?

Explaining the action taken is crucial because it highlights the proactive steps you personally took to resolve the issue or accomplish the task. This part of the answer showcases your problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Why is it important to focus on the results when using the STAR technique?

Focusing on the results demonstrates the impact of your actions. It helps the interviewer understand what you accomplished and the positive outcomes that stemmed from your efforts, showcasing the value you can bring to the role.

What is an example of a poor answer to a behavior-based question, as shown in the video?

A poor answer would be vague, like the one given by Megan in the video where she simply said her boss was a jerk and she quit. This answer lacks specific details, focuses negatively on the employer, and doesn't show any attempt at resolving the conflict constructively.

How did Megan's second response improve when using the STAR technique?

Megan's second response was much more constructive. She clearly defined the issue with her supervisor, proposed a solution by working with a group to redesign the performance review template, and explained the positive results, such as increased Employee Engagement scores. This approach highlighted her proactive attitude and problem-solving abilities.