STAR Method Interview Preparation

I’ve been interviewing candidates for a new role and there’s one thing I’ve seen 90% of them struggle with: sharing the story of their career achievements. But don’t worry—I’ve got a simple hack that can help you overcome it: ✏️ Create a monthly ritual to review and document every significant work win, and turn each into a mini-case study. Documenting your wins regularly will save you HOURS when you prep for your next interview—plus it’s great fodder for: ⤷ your annual performance review ⤷ your 1x1s with your manager ⤷ your resume Here’s my 3-step process: 1️⃣ Weekly Check-in: Turn work ➡️ wins ⤷ Start a weekly habit of documenting your wins (grab my free template in the comments). ⤷ Block 30 minutes on your calendar every Friday to hold yourself accountable. ⤷ Ask yourself, “What did I accomplish this week that moved the needle?”   2️⃣ Monthly Recap: Turn wins ➡️ headlines ⤷ Identify 1–2 significant achievements and summarize them using this formula: [Action Verb] + [Specific Metric] + [Timeframe] + [Business Impact] ⤷ Make a bullet-point list (so you can stay organized and repurpose it for your resume later!) ⤷ Include dates and timelines for your own records—you’ll use them in step 3.   3️⃣ Quarterly Story-Building: Headlines ➡️ stories ⤷ Identify your top 3 quarterly wins. ⤷ Start a fresh document and map out each of those wins using the STAR method: ️ ⭐ Situation: What was the context? ️⭐ Task: What was your specific responsibility? ⭐ Action: What steps did you take? ⭐ Result: What measurable outcome did you achieve? ⤷ Ask AI to help you share that information as a story. Here’s the prompt I like to use: ✍ Can you help me turn this achievement into a story using the STAR framework for an upcoming interview for a [title here] role? Please keep it concise. [paste win]   Here’s what this looks like in action 👇 ⤷ Weekly win: March ’23 → Decreased CPA by 28% & increased conversion by 15% ⤷ Monthly recap: Optimized paid search campaigns in March 2023 that decreased CPA by 28% while increasing conversions by 15%, resulting in higher profit margins for the company. ⤷ Quarterly story: When I joined the marketing team in January 2023, our paid search campaigns were generating leads but at a high CPA, with budget constraints approaching in Q2.I was tasked with reducing CPA without sacrificing lead volume. In March 2023, I audited our campaigns and implemented three key changes: restructured ad groups with tightly-themed keywords, refined match types with strategic negative keywords, and A/B tested value-focused ad copy. By month-end, these optimizations decreased cost-per-acquisition by 28% while increasing conversion volume by 15%, saving budget and creating a scalable framework for future campaigns. What are your tips for storytelling in your interviews? I’d love to hear them. 

𝐀𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟎/𝟑𝟎 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 Storytelling in interviews is a powerful tool for making a lasting impact because it helps you connect with the interviewer on a personal level, makes your experiences memorable, and demonstrates your skills in a real-world context. 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬: ✅ 1. Memorability: People remember stories better than a list of facts or achievements. A well-told story creates a lasting impression. ✅ 2. Engagement: Storytelling captures the interviewer's attention and engages them in your narrative. It makes the interview more interesting and dynamic. ✅ 3. Contextualization: Stories provide context for your achievements and experiences.They help the interviewer understand how you approach challenges and problem-solving. ✅ 4. Emotional Connection: Stories evoke emotions and create a personal connection.Interviewers are more likely to remember candidates who connect with them emotionally. ✅ 5. Demonstration of Skills: Stories allow you to showcase your skills in action. Rather than stating that you have a particular skill, you can illustrate it through a story. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬: ✅ Choose Relevant Stories: Select stories that directly relate to the job requirements or highlight key skills.Tailor your stories to match the company's values and culture. ✅ Structure Your Stories: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your stories.Clearly define the situation or challenge, your task, the actions you took, and the positive results. ✅ Highlight Achievements: Focus on stories that showcase your achievements and contributions. Quantify the impact whenever possible. ✅ Connect to Job Responsibilities: Tie your stories back to the specific responsibilities and requirements of the job. Show how your past experiences make you an ideal candidate for the position. ✅ Keep It Concise: While storytelling is valuable, keep your stories concise. Be mindful of the interview time and ensure you're conveying essential information. ✅ Practice Your Stories: Practice telling your stories in a clear and concise manner. Pay attention to your tone, pacing, and non-verbal cues. ✅ Be Authentic: Be genuine and authentic in your storytelling. Speak from the heart, and let your passion and enthusiasm shine through. ✅ Engage the Interviewer: Involve the interviewer in your story by maintaining eye contact and observing their reactions. ✅ End on a Positive Note: Conclude your stories with a focus on positive outcomes and lessons learned. Storytelling is a skill that improves with practice. By incorporating relevant and well-structured stories into your interview responses, you can provide a more compelling and memorable picture of your abilities and experiences.

We’re at lunch. You say, “My interviews keep fizzling.” I slide over a napkin and say, “Do this instead.” Think of the JD as the menu. Read it for outcomes, not chores. Circle the three results they care about. For example shipping on schedule, reducing incidents, lifting activation. Underline the verbs and KPIs. Turn each into a theme card: theme, metric, stakeholder. If it isn’t on the card, it isn’t a priority. Now let the “waiter” do the carrying. Strip names and identifiers, then paste the JD and your three themes into your favourite AI. Ask: “You’re a hiring panel for a Sydney [role]. Generate 12 behavioural questions weighted to [A], [B], [C]. Add 1–2 follow-ups per question that probe STAR detail and metrics. Prioritise stakeholder, delivery, and commercial or technical impact. Output a table.” You’re no longer guessing. You’re training on the questions they’ll likely ask. You'll also feel a lot more confident. Plate three to four stories for the interview with one per theme. Use STAR or CAR so the signals are clear in your answers: set the Situation in a line (company, team, baseline), state the Task you owned, list three concrete Actions with strong verbs (led, designed, negotiated, shipped), and land the Result with numbers and a timeframe. Close the loop in one sentence: “This maps to your JD theme of delivery reliability.” First person “I,” not “we.” Outcomes, not activity. If you don’t have the perfect story, build a bridge. Start with the nearest adjacent win. Name the gap in one clear line to preserve trust (“That was B2B; yours is consumer with PCI”). Surface what transfers. Things like runbooks, rollback plans, 99.95% uptime across three regions. Then show how you’d apply it on day one: partner with Risk, map PCI scope; week two, pilot canary releases. Draw the straight line from what you’ve done to what they need and let them picture you already doing the work. The test is simple: mirror one JD phrase in every answer so the mapping is obvious; speak in ownership verbs and finish on a commercial result; close with “Why this matters for your role is ___.” Do that and you stop auditioning and start operating in their mind. Specific beats generic/fluffy and unrelated examples every time. If you want more napkins like this, follow me (Eli Gündüz).

Candidates overcomplicate STAR answers. If you're a product designer prepping for interviews: Avoid: 🔻 Trying to memorize a new answer format 🔻 Listing every small step you took for a project 🔻 Forgetting to mention your actual role and what you drove 🔻 Talking for 10 minutes without getting to the point 🔻 Panicking mid-answer because you forgot what comes next 🙃 Instead: 💚 Use your case study skeleton — it's already STAR, just more familiar 💚 Context = Situation 💚 Problem + your role = Task 💚 What you did = Action 💚 Impact + learning = Result Example S = Situation “At my last company, we were about to launch a new feature, but one key flow wasn’t validated.” T = Task “I owned redesigning that flow to improve usability and get it testable pre-launch.” A = Action “I ran interviews, collaborated with PMs, and built a prototype to validate the design.” R = Result “The redesign reduced drop-off by 25%, and we created a checklist we reused on future launches.” Extra tips: Write down your stories in STAR format before interviews 1–3 minutes max per answer Don’t be afraid to pause and think when asked a question Focus on your actions and impact You need to tell a story that makes sense. That’s it. Prep 3 stories like this, rehearse, record yourself, and see how it flows. Repeat. Use them to answer most of the questions and secure the role. Good luck.

The biggest sin in an interview? Talking without answering. Too many candidates speak in circles, filling the air with words. But interviewers don’t want noise. They want proof. Here’s how it goes wrong: Question: Tell us about a time you worked as part of a team. Weak response: I really enjoy leading projects. I am creative and like to innovate. This does not answer the question. It’s fluff. Here’s how to do it right with STAR(L): Situation: Our cross-functional team had three weeks to deliver a policy draft or risk losing funding. Task: My role was to coordinate the legal and finance teams to agree on a unified proposal. Action: I set up daily check-ins, clarified responsibilities, and mediated when priorities clashed. Result: We delivered a week early, which secured the funding. Learning: I learned that balancing assertiveness with listening is what drives real teamwork. I would bring that same approach here. This is clear, relevant, and evidence-based. Every word works to build credibility. Anything less is just white noise. I added the (L) for learning because it elevates your answer, highlighting the STAR element, which looks at your previous performance as a predictor of future performance, and the Learning demonstrates your continuous professional development relevant to the role you've applied for. Follow me for no-nonsense interview truths. 🔔🔔

Myth: STAR format is the same for every behaviorial question type. Reality: Certain data points need to be included depending on whether you're sharing a success story, failure story, problem-solving experience etc. Let’s break down the structure you can use as a template for each different behavioral category theme to ace your next interview: NOTE: This post covers the first three themes of my 8 themes for behaviorial questions. Swipe the carousel to find the detailed STAR template for each behavioral category theme. 1) Customer Focus Story Demonstrate your customer obsession by showing how you deeply understand customer requirements and work backward from their needs to deliver the right solution. ↳ “𝘛𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴.” 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱 → I encountered this situation during [specific project] → I identified the customer need by [discovery method] → The competing business priority was [specific constraint] → I advocated for the customer by [specific actions] → We resolved the tension by [compromise/solution] → The outcome benefited customers through [specific impact] 𝟮) 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 Showcase your most impactful project, emphasizing the specific actions you took and your unique contribution to the successful outcome. ↳ “𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴.” 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱 → I'll share my work on [project name] → I identified the opportunity by [method] → I took initiative by [specific action] → I overcame [specific challenge] by [approach] → The measurable impact was [specific result] → This matters because [broader significance] 𝟯) 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 Choose a genuine failure that's not catastrophic, and frame your story to highlight your resilience, accountability, and ability to transform setbacks into valuable learning opportunities. ↳ “𝘛𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯?” 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱 → A specific project that didn't succeed was [name/type] → The failure occurred because [root cause] → I contributed to this by [personal mistake] → I realized my error when [moment of insight] → I applied this lesson by [specific change] → This experience changed how I [broader principle] The candidates who set themselves apart aren’t smarter. They customize these frameworks for their professional journey to create compelling stories that resonate with interviewers. And that's how you get closer to that Big Tech Offer. — P.S. Liked this post? You’ll like my FREE newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eX6cstvS . Subscribe to join a community of 30K+ professionals!

𝗡𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄? 𝗧𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀! I've spoken with lots of candidates before their interviews, and a common theme is nervousness (which is normal!) Sometimes, folk worry their answers might sound rehearsed or robotic. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸: 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀? - Facts fade, stories stick. People remember narratives better than bullet points. - They bring you to life! Stories reveal your personality, problem-solving skills, and thought process. - Intrigue your interviewer. Stories spark conversation and make you stand out from the crowd. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝘁? - Be a STAR: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your story. Briefly set the scene, explain the challenge, detail your actions, and highlight the outcome. - Relevance is key: Pick a story directly related to the role's skills and experiences. Showcase you understand the position and what you bring to the table. - Honesty is refreshing: Don't shy away from setbacks. Sharing how you overcame a challenge or learned from a mistake shows growth and resilience valued traits!). - Spark a chat: Don’t make it a monologue. Let your story be the conversation starter. 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗶𝗽! Connect with the interviewer. Briefly mention the emotions you felt during the situation. A touch of well-placed emotion makes your story relatable and builds a human connection. P.S Have you got any top interview story telling tips? Share below! #Interviews #InterviewTips #Careers #StoryTelling

“I struggled in my interview when it came to behavioural questions. I couldn’t come up with relevant stories when I was asked a specific example.” Are you also struggling? If you are in an interview wherein you're struggling to come up with an example: 1. Ask for clarification- Request more information about the type of example they're looking for 2. Be honest- Explain that you're thinking of an example, and ask for a moment to gather your thoughts 3. Use a related experience- Share a relevant story from a different context, like a volunteer or academic experience When faced with behavioral questions, follow these steps: 1. Take a moment to think- It's okay to pause and collect your thoughts before answering 2. Use the STAR method- S- Situation: Set the context for your story T- Task: Explain the task or challenge you faced A- Action: Describe the actions you took R- Result: Share the outcome of your actions 3. Be specific- Use concrete details and avoid generalities 4. Focus on your role- Emphasize your contributions and actions, rather than those of others 5. Show what you learned- Highlight any skills or lessons gained from the experience Example: Question: "Tell me about a time when you overcame a difficult team project." Answer: "In my previous role, we were working on a marketing campaign with a tight deadline (S). Our team lead left the company suddenly, leaving us without guidance (T). I took the initiative to coordinate with team members, assign tasks, and ensure communication with stakeholders (A). We successfully delivered the campaign on time, receiving positive feedback from clients (R). I learned the importance of adaptability, leadership, and effective communication in high-pressure situations." Remember, the goal is to showcase your skills, thought process, and growth from past experiences. Connect with me to learn how to confidently answer behavioural questions. #interviewtips #interviewquestions #personalbrand #jobs #jobinterview

Lately I have noticed a few patterns during interviews. Here are the two that stand out: Poor attitude and scripted answers. Here Are 10 Ways I’d Prepare to Not Just Get Through the Interview Loop—But Stand Out: 1. Do your research. Know the company’s mission, recent news, and products. Understand the role and how your experience connects to it. If you know your interviewers’ names, look them up on LinkedIn. If there’s a shared interest or experience, bring it up early to build rapport. Interviews are conversations—starting with curiosity sets the tone. 2. Practice with intention. Amazon interviews (like many others) go beyond the basics. It’s not just “Tell me about a project.” They’re looking for: • Did you own it? • Did you think ahead? • Did you drive real outcomes? Build a story bank: • 3 strong projects • 1 launch • 1 blocker you overcame • 1 failure you learned from Each story should reflect clear ownership and align with the company’s leadership principles or values. 3. Go deep, not wide. Choose stories that show real depth. • What decisions did you make? • What tradeoffs did you weigh? • What metrics did you move? If you didn’t drive the outcome, don’t use the example. 4. Use the XYZ format. Frame accomplishments like this: “Did X in Y time, which resulted in Z.” Example: Launched a new internal tool in 6 weeks, saving 15 hours/week for the support team. 5. Use “I” statements. Unless the question is about collaboration or team dynamics, focus on your individual contributions. Use action verbs like “I optimized,” “I led,” “I implemented.” 6. Prepare for follow-ups. Practice high-pressure questions. Ask clarifying questions before you respond to make sure you fully understand. Example: “Tell me about a time you got pushback from leadership.” Interviewers want to see how you stay composed under pressure. 7. Use the STAR(T) method. Structure answers clearly: • Situation • Task • Action • Result • Takeaway This helps you communicate clearly and keep your answers on track. 8. Mirror your interviewer. Pay attention to your interviewer’s tone, pace, and energy. Some are direct and fast-paced, others are more conversational. Adjust your communication style to match theirs and build connection. 9. Be respectful, always. Kindness, curiosity, and professionalism go a long way. Don’t try to prove you’re the smartest person in the room. Focus on being the most thoughtful. 10. Interview them, too. You're not just being evaluated—you’re evaluating them. Ask smart questions to learn more about the role, team, and company culture. Avoid HR-related questions (like time off or salary) in early rounds unless prompted. Resumes get you in the door. The way you communicate, connect, and own your story—that’s what gets you the offer. Don’t aim to sound perfect. Aim to sound prepared, thoughtful, and real. What’s one thing you always do before an interview? Would love to hear how you prep.

Do you struggle to tell your career story? Do you find yourself flopping in interviews, because you don't know what to say and/or talk too long? I have two formulas that will help. Before we begin, let me repeat my job search mantra: 👏 THE JOB SEARCH IS NOT ABOUT YOU. IT'S ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THEM.👏 This means that your interview answers and career story must be tailored to the person you are speaking to, highlighting the SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE they are looking for. Now here are my two formulas for sharing your career story in a short, compelling way in job interviews: 1) PRESENT-PAST-FUTURE FORMULA My favorite way to answer, "So, Emily, tell me about yourself" or "So, Emily, walk me through your resume." ✅ PRESENT: 1-3 sentences about what you're currently doing. ✅ PAST: 1-3 sentences about what you did before that. ✅ FUTURE: 1-3 sentences about what you want to do in the future. This should be said in 30-45 seconds. Keep your answer succinct, they'll ask follow-up questions if they want more information. And remember, you're highlighting the skills and experience that your target employer is looking for. So when you describe your "PRESENT" and "PAST" experience, do it through the lens of the job you're interviewing for. Use the keywords that are important to them. As for the "FUTURE" - well, wouldn't you know it, what you want do to in the future happens to sound a lot like the job you're interviewing for. 😉 2) RSAR STORIES' This is my spin on STAR stories. Most of you know about the STAR format - Situation, Task, Action, Result. ✅ I flip that - remove the "Task" - it makes answers too long. ✅ Then start with the punchline - the "Result" - to grab their attention. ✅ Then go into the Situation, then the Action, and bookend it with the Result. Here's an example: Q: "So, Emily, tell me about a time when you made a mistake a work and how did you fix it?" A: "Let me tell you about the time our company almost spent an extra $5,000 in printer fees. Don't worry, I caught it. Here's what happened..." You lead with the RESULT (you caught a $5,000 error), then outline the SITUATION and ACTION you took to solve the situation. Then bookend it with the RESULT: "... And that's how I caught a $5,000 mistake." And remember, use your answer to highlight the skills / experience / results they are looking for. I encourage my clients to keep their interview answers to less than three minutes. (Unless it's a technical interview, then you can go into more detail.) The RSAR format helps you do that. I'm rooting for you. 👊 ♻ Please repost if you think this advice will help others. ***** Hi, have we met? I'm Emily and I'm on a mission to get the #greenbannergang back to work, one actionable step at a time. #jobsearch #jobhunt #jobseekers