Step 5 - Use the STAR format

USE THE S.T.A.R FORMAT

An effective way to explain your examples is through using an acronym known as STAR. This is where you frame your example as a story, told in a structured way that demonstrates your evidence clearly:

S Situation — set the scene, give context: the wheres and whens

T Task — describe what needed to be done, make it specific to what you had to do: your task or job

A Action — elaborate on the actions that you took (remember, specific to you: “I” not “we”)

R Result — what happened, what was the outcome, what did you achieve?

Example 1: “Experience of working with people who have varied mental health needs”

S Situation Throughout my degree I volunteered for XX Organisation as a Helpline Call Handler.

T Task

A Action

R Result

The position involved undertaking extensive training then handling calls from service users who had varied mental health needs and were feeling overwhelmed or needed support.

I took initial calls and followed a structured process of handling service user queries, using a series of open questions, always staying within safeguarding policies and procedures. I encountered a range of mental health needs including depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder.

This position and the training attached to it developed my knowledge in the field of mental health immensely. It gave me great insight into the reality of interacting with people who have minor to severe mental health needs and further fed my passion for the field.

Example 2: “Strong Organisational Skills”

S Situation At University I was part of the debating society.

T Task

A Action

R Result

For 2 years, I volunteered to be in charge of organising our annual debating competition.

I marketed the event through social media and the Intranet, registered participants, booked a venue, engaged judges, secured donated prizes from a local company, hosted and presented the event and wrote an article afterwards for the student newspaper to raise awareness of the society.

I succeeded in delivering a fantastic event, attended by over 70 people which led to a record sign up of members the following year.

Here are some links that you might find useful:

₀ https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/interview-advice/the-star-method ₀ https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/interview-tips/competency-based-interviews ₀ https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/interview-types/456283-how-to-answer-typical-competencybased-interview-questions