Remember the STAR example

If you don’t know about this technique, it can be a real game changer.

It enables you to anticipate and plan your responses to questions in a way that really lands with interviewers. Interviewing is hard work - part of your role at interview is to make the interviewer’s job easier by giving succinct yet powerful examples of your abilities and experiences.

So, let’s briefly recap, what is a STAR example?

STAR stands for:

• Situation or Task – what was the context and what were you being asked to do
• Action – what you did to achieve this
• Result – what was the outcome or result, e.g., money or time saved, better customer service, patient care, staff morale etc

A good STAR example addresses all three elements concisely by referring to your previous experience.

You can use the STAR technique to both prepare your application and then answer interview questions. But you do need to prepare. Aim to go into an interview with a dozen or so “dynamite” STAR examples up your sleeve

Have examples that can be potentially used to illustrate one or more strengths.

But don’t be tempted to parrot these out regardless however - listen carefully to the question and ensure you give a relevant answer.