When you give examples, use the S.T.A.R.
Statement format
IF YOU TAKE ANY ONE SINGLE ACTION AFTER READING THIS
GUIDE, IT SHOULD BE TO IDENTIFY AND WRITE OUT AT LEAST
SIX to EIGHT DETAILED PERSONAL S.T.A.R. STATEMENTS.
Situation / Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to
accomplish. Be very specific and give details, but keep it short and
concise. Throughout your interview you'll want to make many S.T.A.R.
Statements when using "FOR EXAMPLE."
Action
Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you.
Even if you are discussing a group project or effort, describe what YOU
did – not the efforts of the team. Don't tell what you MIGHT do, or
WOULD do – tell what you DID do. Incorporate Behavioral Competency
keywords into the description of your action. (Reread the Behavioral
Competency section above to make sure you include some of those
terms in your S.T.A.R. Statements).
Results
Describe what you achieved. What happened? How did the event end?
What did you accomplish? What did you learn? How did it make people
feel? How did you feel? How did your boss feel? How much time and
money did you save? Would you say that you solved the problem? Did
other people recognize you or commend you for your efforts? Name
them specifically.
Your result: How did it GET? GET RID OF? RELIEVE? AVOID?
PRESERVE? PROTECT? ENHANCE? IMPROVE? INCREASE? – Use some
of these "outcome keywords" when describing your results.
Take the time to develop and practice your S.T.A.R. Statements! You'll
want to have AT LEAST 6 to 8 S.T.A.R. Statements at the tip of your
tongue when you go into an interview. Create S.T.A.R. Statements
from the jobs on your resume that you want to bring attention to. As
you use the Statements and Stories as examples, your interviewer will
become familiar with the various positions you have held, and will get
a good idea of your track record of success in those various positions.