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When using the STAR approach to help you structure your responses to behaviour-based questions, there are some important tips to keep in mind.

Be specific

  • General examples do not effectively demonstrate how you used the skill(s) you are trying to highlight. Use a specific situation to describe the skill(s) in detail to convince the interviewer(s) you have it and how you’ve used it.

Consider relevant

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experience

  • Your examples can be from a paid or unpaid work experience, academic experience or extracurricular activity. You should try and choose the experience based on relevance to the job or simply on the strength of the example in proving your skill(s).

Prepare in advance

  • Determine which skill(s) the employer will likely be interested in, select your strongest example, then write brief points that capture the main ideas you want to convey

  • Try to avoid completely scripting or memorizing your stories because you might sound unnatural. Make sure to practice your stories out loud

Use visual descriptors

  • Choose words that will help the employer visualize your role in it. Use active-oriented and specific language.

State the outcome/result

  • Remember to state what the successful outcome was and include any positive feedback or recognition you received. This might include meeting a tight deadline, receiving a positive customer review or solving a problem. This is a very important component and will further support your claim that you were successful in using the skill(s) you are trying to highlight.

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