Interviewing tips: What is STAR?
November 20, 2009 Leave a Comment
What is the “STAR” interview technique? You may have heard professors, employers, career advisers, etc. talk about it, but you can never remember it, right? Whether you know it, need a reminder, or have never heard of STAR before, here’s a quick review of the system.
First, what is STAR? STAR is an organized train of thought to answer behavior based questions (Behavioral Based Questions: Tell me about a time that you… “exemplified great leadership,” “were working with a particularly difficult person and what did you do about it,” “had a task/project due in a short time and what did you do to complete it.”).
S = Situation
Describe the situation you were in and why you were put in it (the club/group/job should probably already be on your resume):
e.g. “While in Project Green during my freshman year I participated on the Executive Board for the Final Event in which Project Green put on a day of redecorating, games, and health awareness.”
T = Task
Tell the employer the task YOU were responsible for in the Situation:
e.g. “I took the task of the Food Coordinator on the Executive Board to recruit local businesses to donate food so the 200 participants of the event could have lunch and snacks.”
A = Action
Explain what skills, highlighting the behavioral based question, you used to put your task into action.
e.g. “I used my communication and sales skills to pitch the benefits of supporting the community, promotion for the business, and how much the restaurant’s contribution would benefit the Final Event to all of 60 local businesses.”
R = Results
Paint the picture of your accomplishments from the work you did.
e.g. “I was able to get 40 businesses to donate over $400 worth of food and feed the 200 children, students, parents, and volunteers. Both the Final Event Coordinator and the principal of the elementary commended me for the extraordinary food and work that I had done.”
Be ready to answer any questions that could follow your STAR situation like, “What would you have done differently?” or “What kind of trouble with managers did you run into when you called the restaurants?” Typically, it’s good to prepare 6-10 STAR answers and adapt them for each job you’re hoping to land. Write them down and BRING THEM to the interview. It will show the employer that you really care about the position and are truly prepared.
Talk Standing Out in a Tough Economy with Spartans & Target Recruiters
November 9, 2009 Leave a Comment
“Always Sunny” Job Negotiations
October 28, 2009 Leave a Comment
The following clip is from the “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” from the season 4, episode “Sweet Dee has a Heart Attack”. Mac and Charlie are in need of health coverage, so they negotiate themselves out of a higher wage.
Remember during your job negotiation:
The Do nots:
1) Go in to an interview with someone other than yourself or share a resume (0:04)
2) Use personal lingo/jargon. Stay formal with your presentation (0:18)
3) Say personal achievements that everyone should have done (i.e. showering, going to the bathroom, “complete charge of my life”) (0:26)
4) Offer illegal actions for an employer (0:42)
5) Reveal what your intentions with your pay will be (“You don’t have to pay us at all,” or “This is not about money.”) (1:01)
The Do’s:
1) Come with a resume
2) Wear your best clothing (professional suits preferred, though)
3) Subtly stress your values (“going green” like Mac and Charlie)
4) Show your enthusiasm to work (“[I] can do whatever you need”)
5) High five the employer (just kidding, a handshake will do just fine)
