Business and Careers editor, Vanshika Dhyani shares her formula for success, and dives deep into the principle that any future performance is largely determined by past actions.
If you were looking for a formula for success, look no further. STAR is the answer. It is an easy-to-adopt technique that ensures a smooth, if not successful job application process. Invented in 1974 by William C. Byham, the method continues to dominate the modern interview scene. It is a cross-industry trend, an international sensation - whether you are looking to work at a Big Four firm or in Big Tech, this method will help you get your foot in the door.
STAR thinking helps candidates organise their thoughts and allows the interviewer to follow a logical flow of actions. It helps one be clear and concise in their answers and prevents disorganised thought and vague replies.
The STAR method—a technique rooted in organisational psychology, is based on the principle that any future performance is largely determined by past actions. When we use this technique to build our resumes and answer behavioural questions in an interview, we provide an insight into our psychology and how we like to solve problems. Companies hire candidates after analysing their problem-solving skills. To demonstrate your value in an interview, you must reflect upon a real life past experience and help the interviewer understand how you think; this is where STAR comes in.
STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result.
Let’s try to understand how this can be used in an interview. Consider the following interview question: “Tell me about a time when you were unable to meet a time commitment. What prevented you from meeting it? What was the outcome, and what did you learn from it?”
S = Situation
Set the backdrop for your story. Start by explaining your circumstances.
Example: Let me tell you about a time I forgot to bring an umbrella to work. The bus route is not well connected where I live. There is only one bus that drops me about five minutes from home, and it is infrequent. On this day, I missed my bus and I was left with two choices: I could either wait for an hour for the next bus or walk for 30 minutes in the cold and the rain. I decided to take the walk because I had an important submission due the next day and I wanted to rest before starting my assignment.
T = Task
Explain the task at hand, the goal you wanted to accomplish and the challenge you faced
Example: On my walk home, I got completely soaked and developed a high fever. When I woke up, I struggled to work on my midterm essay which I had been planning and researching for weeks. With my notes ready all I needed was four hours of focused work for a decent grade. Unfortunately, my illness prevented me from accomplishing that.
A = Action
Accurately explain the steps you took to achieve your goal, overcome the challenge and deal with the situation at hand. Describe every step you took, speak about your individual contribution even if you worked with a team.
Example: My fever worsened over the following days and prevented me from sitting for my midterm exam in another module as well. I applied for extenuating circumstances and received additional support from the university.
R = Result
What happened as a result of your actions? Was the situation under control? What did you learn? Try to use numbers to build a stronger case for your application
Example: My fever did not subside as the days went on, and I could not sit for my midterm exam in another module, either. I ended up applying for extenuating circumstances and received extra support from the university. This experience taught me the importance of proactive communication, effective planning and time management. It also helped me recognize the value of setting internal deadlines for myself and leaving a buffer period for unforeseen circumstances.
As you can see from the above example, the STAR method is a powerful storytelling tool that never misses. It not only helps reduce cognitive load during an interview but also engages your audience with effective storytelling. This technique works equally well for students, graduates, and early-career professionals as it does for the experienced folk. The STAR method can also enhance your resume; you can use it to define bullet points under each experience, with each serving a STAR purpose.
So, whether you are writing your CV or answering a behavioural question, remember this four-lettered abbreviation because it is a game changer. It will help you keep your resume one to two pages long, and also ensure that you don’t ramble on when one of those ‘Tell me about a time you—’ question is asked!