STAR Interviewing Method
The STAR Method interview technique is a storytelling method for organizing your answers to interview questions. It is a structured way to respond to questions by describing a specific situation, task, action, and result.
SITUATION
In the Situation part of the STAR method, you need to detail a specific event or scenario providing context for the interviewer to understand the circumstances. This includes background information like your previous job, volunteer experiences, or relevant events pertinent to the situation being discussed.
TASK
In the Task part of the STAR interview method, you should outline the challenge or objective you faced in the situation. Describe your role and the specific goal you were working towards, clarifying the tasks you undertook to address the issue at hand.
ACTION
In the Action part of the STAR interview method, emphasize the actions you personally took to tackle the situation, using "I" instead of "we" to highlight your contributions. Provide detailed insight into the steps you specifically executed to overcome the challenge, illustrating your decision-making process and the completion of tasks.
RESULT
In the Result part of the STAR interview method, highlight the outcome of your actions, taking credit for your contributions and emphasizing the positive results achieved. Discuss the specific accomplishments or lessons learned from the situation, focusing on the impact of your efforts and any key takeaways.
Sample Response
Below is a sample response to the question “describe a time you had to solve a problem”.
Situation: During my senior year in college, as part of a public relations class project, our team was tasked with managing a crisis communication scenario for a hypothetical client.
Task: Our goal was to devise a strategic plan to mitigate the potential damage to the client's reputation and restore public trust in the face of a simulated crisis situation.
Action: Taking the lead, I facilitated brainstorming sessions to analyze the crisis scenario and identify stakeholders and communication channels. We crafted key messages, prepared press materials, and delegated tasks to manage the crisis transparently and effectively.
Result: We successfully executed our crisis communication plan, maintaining open communication with stakeholders and media. As a result, our client navigated the crisis with minimal reputational damage, demonstrating the importance of teamwork, strategic planning, and adaptability in public relations.