The STAR Method

Prepping for an interview with us? Here's some tips to help!

We want you to feel prepared and confident throughout the interview, especially when tackling behavioural and situational questions. That’s where the STAR method comes in. It’s a handy framework that helps you organise your answers by focusing on specific situations, tasks, actions, and results.

What is the STAR Method?

The STAR method is an interview technique that stands for:

Situation: Set the scene and give context.
Task: Explain your role and what needed to be accomplished.
Action: Describe the steps you took to handle the task or challenge.
Result: Share the outcome, emphasising what you achieved and learned.

Using STAR helps you frame your answer in a structured and logical way. It allows you to highlight the actions you took to solve a problem or navigate a challenging situation, giving interviewers a clearer picture of your skills and approach.

Why Do We Ask Behavioural and Situational Questions?

Behavioural and situational questions help us understand how you handle real-life scenarios. These questions often start with phrases like:

"Tell me about a time when..."
"Give an example of..."
"How did you handle...?"

For Safewill, these insights are crucial as things move fast, structure is still evolving, and resources are sometimes stretched. We need people who can jump in, adapt on the fly, and keep things moving forward - even when there’s a bit of ambiguity.

Behavioural and situational questions give you a chance to show us how you’ve handled similar environments: how you’ve driven results, found creative solutions, and made an impact when the stakes were high. It’s your opportunity to show that you’re ready to dive in and help shape our next chapter.

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How to Prep for STAR

Let’s go through a step-by-step guide to preparing STAR answers that can help you shine in your next interview.

1. Start with a List of Experiences

Think about experiences that demonstrate key skills relevant to the role you’re applying for. These could include:

Times when you solved a complex problem.
Experiences where you demonstrated leadership or teamwork.
Moments where you showed resilience or adaptability.

Having a bank of examples in mind will make it easier to adapt them to various questions.

2. Structure Each Answer with STAR

For each experience you choose, use the STAR format to guide your response.

3. Practice, but Don't Over-Rehearse

While it’s important to practice, keep your answers authentic. Memorising answers word-for-word can make you sound robotic. Instead, get comfortable with the flow of STAR and trust yourself to adapt to the specific question in the moment.

4. Quantify You Results Where Possible

If you can, include quantifiable outcomes in the Result portion of your answer. Numbers and percentages can strengthen your answer and provide concrete evidence of your impact. For example:

"Increased customer satisfaction by 25%."
"Saved the team 20 hours of work by optimising the process."
"Achieved project goals two weeks ahead of schedule."

Quantifying results makes your achievements feel more tangible and highlights the impact of your actions.

5. Tailor Your Examples to the Role

Before the interview, review the job description and identify the skills and qualities we're looking for. Choose examples that align with these priorities. If adaptability and teamwork are crucial, for instance, focus on experiences where you showed those skills. Tailoring your responses demonstrates that you understand the role and are prepared to meet its demands.

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Final Tips for Using Star in Your Interview

Be Clear and Concise: Aim to be specific but avoid lengthy explanations. Focus on the most relevant details.
Use “I” More Than “We”: While we value team players, it’s essential that we understand your specific contributions. When describing your actions, focus on what you personally did to drive results, rather than what the team collectively achieved. Using “I” helps us see the unique impact you made in each situation.
Show the Outcome and Your Impact: Emphasise the results and the tangible impact you created. Whether it’s measurable outcomes like improving a process or softer achievements like resolving a conflict, make it clear how your actions led to success. This shows us not only your skills but also the value you bring to the table.
Stay Positive: Even if the question is about a challenging or negative experience, focus on what you learned and how you grew from it.
Prepare a Mix of Examples: Try to have examples that showcase different strengths - problem-solving, teamwork, initiative, resilience, etc.

Using the STAR method can help you feel more confident and prepared, giving you a solid framework for answering behavioural and situational questions. We want to see not just what you’ve done, but how you approach challenges and contribute to team success. With STAR, you can make a memorable impression by showing us how your experiences align with our values and goals here at Safewill.

Good luck, and we look forward to meeting you!