Tools to Help you Interview Like a STAR

The career search process has multiple steps. After you submit your application, an employer may reach out to conduct an initial screening call or video session which is typically followed by a more in-depth interview. This interview may be conducted via phone, video, or in-person at the company. There are many styles of interview which include group or panel interviews, presentations, knowledge or skills tests, and possibly a case study. Preparing for these interviews is a vital step in the career search process. Most interviews have questions that are behavioral-based, or questions that are intended to see if the candidate can demonstrate skills or behaviors, and technical questions, or questions that are designed to determine knowledge of hard skills.

 

When you answer these interview questions, whether behavioral or technical in nature, you want to follow a method to structure your answers. It is much easier to believe a candidate possess certain skills if they can share situations where they have demonstrated those skills. When preparing to answer behavioral or technical interview questions, it is important to review the job description to pinpoint key skills like teamwork, communication, problem solving, and other technical skills like computer software proficiency. The most common method to use when answering interview questions is the STAR method.

STAR:

S – Situation

T – Task

A – Action

R – Result

When answering an interview question, use the STAR method to formulate your answer. In your interview, the interviewer asks you “Tell me about a time when you were part of a team.” You will start with the situation, what were you doing, were you in a class project, on a team for your internship, or were you on a sports team. Describe the setting to set the scene for your answer. Follow up the situation with the task, what was the goal of the team, did you have to complete a lab project, were you tasked with coming up with a security plan, or did you have to work together to win the championship. You want to then talk through the steps, or actions you took to complete the task that your team was working on; did you volunteer or were asked to lead the team, were you in charge of the presentation or paper, be specific and explain your role on the team. End your answer with the result, what was the outcome of the team experience.

You can also use this method when discussing your proficiency in a computer skill like Python. Give a clear example of a situation you used the software, what you were tasked with when using it, what steps you took to complete the task, and what was the result of your use of the technology. This will show the employer that you are skilled and that you are clear on what you are able to do in the internship or job.

Lastly, the best advice in preparing for behavior-based or technical interview questions is practice, practice, practice. The time to start practicing is when starting the career search, whether for internships or full-time experiences – do not wait until the interview is scheduled.

Additional information on interviewing can be found on the Career Services website, https://careerservices.erau.edu/resources/interview-prep.