27+ STAR Interview Questions & Answers in 2026 | Novoresume
Job interview questions can be stressful. Some, more than others.
In fact, if we had to rank job interview questions based on difficulty, some of the hardest would probably be behavioral interview questions.
Thankfully, there’s a foolproof way to answer those - the STAR method.
This not-so-secret formula is the key to answering behavioral questions the right way every single time.
And in this guide, we’re going to teach you all you need to know about it!
Here’s what we’re going to cover:
What is the STAR Method?
28 Most Common STAR Interview Questions
How to Answer Any STAR Interview Question
28 Sample Answers for Different Professions and Levels of Experience
What Are Behavioral Interview Questions?
Behavioral interview questions are a subset of interview questions that inquire about specific situations and problems you’ve faced at work.
Their goal is to help the interviewer understand how you behave in a professional setting, hence the name - behavioral interview questions.
Unlike other common interview questions, behavioral questions always require you to explain how you faced a specific situation at work and how you dealt with it.
But coming up with an answer for any of these questions is never easy, especially if you’re caught unprepared during the interview.
This is where the STAR method comes in!
What Is the STAR Method?
The tried-and-tested formula to pass any behavioral interview question with flying colors is the STAR method.
“STAR” is an acronym that stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Results.
The STAR method gives you a structure you can follow to give a clear and concise answer to any behavioral questions that the interviewer might throw at you.
Let’s break it down a little bit:
Situation - Describe the situation and provide the interviewer with context.
Task - What was your role in this situation? Explain what your duties were and what was expected of you at the time.
Action - How did you carry out your tasks? Did you go out of your way to fulfill your duties or do more than you initially had to?
Results - Explain what results your actions had and if the problem was solved successfully or not. If possible, use numbers and concrete data.
Now that we’ve got the theory down, let’s look at how the STAR method looks in action.
Let’s take one of the most common STAR interview questions as an example:
STAR Method Interview Sample
Q: “Can you tell me of a time you accomplished something noteworthy? How did you manage it?”
Situation:“Hmm… well, after graduation I worked for a year as an assistant to Company Y’s marketing director. We had a meeting with a potential client this one time and I was supposed to meet my manager straight at the location of the meeting. On my way there, she called me and told me she was headed to the hospital as a family member of hers had had an accident.”
Task:“She asked me if I could carry on the presentation by myself and if not, I could cancel the meeting. I’d helped my boss while she made the presentation, but I wasn’t prepared to deliver it. I was only supposed to help with setting up the place and carry the documents.”
Action:“Nevertheless, I like a challenge and I felt confident I could do it. So, I agreed to hold the meeting.”
Results: “The presentation went well, and the client actually hired our company after that. My manager was more than happy. She negotiated a raise for me and took me under her wing as my mentor after that.”
28 STAR Method Interview Questions
Questions where the STAR method can come in are easy to spot.
Usually, these are questions that ask you to tell a story. The question itself is probably going to ask about a work situation and how you reacted to it.
Let’s look at some of the most common STAR interview questions by category:
5 Questions About Organizational Skills
Do you usually set goals at work? If yes, could you give me an example of a goal you had and how you achieved it?
Have you ever had to work under a tight deadline?
Sometimes employers put too much on their employees’ plates. Was there a time when you were overwhelmed with work? How did you handle the situation?
Describe a time when you had multiple tasks to complete under tight deadlines. How did you prioritize and manage your time?
How do you ensure that your work is completed efficiently and on time? Can you give an example of a specific method you use?
5 Questions About Communication Skills
Tell me about a time when a client asked for the impossible. How did you explain and communicate this to them?
Give me an example of a time when you didn’t meet a client’s expectations. How did you deal with the situation?
Did you ever have to correct one of your superiors when they were wrong? How did you approach that situation?
Can you give an example of a time when your communication skills helped you resolve a tricky situation at work?
Describe a time when you had to communicate a difficult message to a coworker or client. How did you handle it?
5 Questions About Teamwork
Have you ever faced conflict with a coworker? How did you resolve the situation?
How do you deal with coworkers who don’t cooperate or can’t contribute enough?
Give me an example of a time when you and your team had opposing views on an issue. How did you persuade them to go with your decision?
Tell me about a time when you had to work closely with someone whose personality was very different from yours. How did you handle it?
Describe a successful project you worked on as part of a team. What was your role, and how did you contribute to the team's success?
4 Questions About Adaptability
How do you adapt to sudden changes in the workplace? Could you give me an example?
What was the first job you ever had? Do you remember how you adapted and learned the ropes?
Tell me about a time when you had to think on your feet in order to deal with a situation.
Tell me about a time when you had the liberty to be creative with your work. Was it exciting or difficult for you?
4 Questions About Leadership
Give me an example of a situation where you showed initiative and took charge of it.
Was there a time when you had to be very strategic to meet a goal?
Tell me about a time when you handled pressure well.
Can you describe a situation where you had to motivate your team to achieve a challenging goal? How did you do it?
5 Questions About Problem-Solving
Tell me about a time when you were faced with a challenging situation. How did you solve it?
Is there a situation you think you could’ve handled better or differently?
Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond your duties for a job or task.
Give me an example of a time when you came up with a creative solution to a problem at work. What happened?
Give me an example of a time you made a mistake at work.
28 STAR Method Sample Questions & Answers
Question #1
Do you usually set goals at work? If yes, could you give me an example of a goal you had and how you achieved it?
Situation: “Yes, I always set goals at work to keep myself on track. For example, when I was a digital marketing specialist at XYZ Company, we were launching a new product line and needed to boost our online presence to drive sales. The company set a goal to increase website traffic by 30% in six months.”
Task: “To help achieve this, I set a personal goal to increase our social media engagement by 50% and our followers by 20%. I knew that increasing our social media presence would be crucial in driving more traffic to our site.”
Action: “So, I started by analyzing our current social media performance to see what was working and what wasn’t. I put together a detailed content calendar that included a mix of promotional posts, engaging content, and user-generated content. I also ran targeted ad campaigns and worked with influencers to broaden our reach. On top of that, I made sure we had a consistent posting schedule and used analytics tools to track our progress and tweak our strategy as needed.”
Results: “Thanks to these efforts, our social media engagement shot up by 60%, which was well above my initial goal of 50%. We also saw a 25% increase in followers, surpassing the target of 20%. This played a big part in boosting our overall website traffic by 35%, helping the company exceed its goal of 30%. Plus, these improvements in our online presence led to a 15% increase in revenue from the new product line.”
Question #2
Have you ever had to work under a tight deadline?
Situation: “Yes, definitely. Last year, at XYZ Publishing, we had an unexpected opportunity to publish an exclusive interview with a high-profile author.”
Task: “My task was to edit and finalize the entire article within 24 hours to meet the print deadline.”
Action: “I immediately prioritized my tasks and set aside less urgent work. I collaborated closely with the writer to make sure everything was clear and coherent, while also touching base with the design team to finalize the layout.”
Results: “We met the deadline, and the article received great feedback from readers. Our quick turnaround also strengthened our relationship with the author and boosted our magazine’s reputation.”
Question #3
Sometimes employers put too much on their employees’ plates. Was there a time when you were overwhelmed with work? How did you handle the situation?
Situation: “Absolutely. During the end-of-year closing at my previous accounting job, I had to handle multiple clients' accounts, prepare financial statements, and assist with audits all at once.”
Task: “I needed to manage all these tasks efficiently without compromising accuracy or deadlines but it was a lot of work.”
Action: “So, I prioritized my tasks by deadlines and complexity, delegated some routine tasks to junior accountants, and worked extra hours to stay on top of everything. I also communicated with my manager about the workload to set realistic expectations.”
Results: “Thankfully, by staying organized and focused, I met all the deadlines. We maintained client satisfaction and had a smooth year-end closing for the firm, and my manager was pleased that handled everything so well.”
Question #4
Describe a time when you had multiple tasks to complete under tight deadlines. How did you prioritize and manage your time?
Situation: “Okay, well, I’m kind of a pro at this. I was pursuing a business degree full-time, while I also worked full-time as a sales associate to support myself, and I was active in a boxing club.”
Task: “So, I often had assignments due, work shifts to cover, and training sessions all in the same week. It could get pretty hectic.”
Action: “I created a detailed schedule first. I blocked out time for study, work, and training. I prioritized my tasks by deadlines and importance, so I was often studying early in the morning and late at night. I also communicated with my employer about my schedule to make sure I wasn’t overbooked and I used my weekends to catch up on studies.”
Results: “I managed to stay organized and disciplined, so I maintained good grades, performed well at work, and progressed in boxing. I’d say I balanced all my commitments effectively, and I’m sure I can do it again.”
Question #5
How do you ensure that your work is completed efficiently and on time? Can you give an example of a specific method you use?
Situation: “As a social media manager, I juggle multiple campaigns, content schedules, and real-time engagement across different platforms all the time.”
Task: “It's essential to make sure all posts go live on time and maintain active engagement with our audience, so I need to stay on top of this constantly.”
Action: “Generally, I use scheduling tools like Hootsuite to plan and schedule posts a month in advance, which helps me stay organized. I also set daily reminders to engage with our followers, respond to comments, and adjust content based on performance analytics.”
Results: “This system keeps everything on track and our engagement high. We saw a 20% increase in follower growth over six months, and our posts so far have consistently gone live without any hitches.”
Question #6
Tell me about a time when a client asked for the impossible. How did you explain and communicate this to them?
Situation: “As a sales representative, I once had a client who wanted a custom product delivered within an unrealistic two-day timeframe.”
Task: “I somehow had to manage the client's expectations while maintaining a positive relationship.”
Action: “So, I scheduled a call with the client to discuss their needs in detail. I explained the production and delivery process and highlighted why the two-day timeline wasn’t feasible. Then, I offered a more realistic timeline and suggested quicker options to meet their needs as closely as possible.”
Results: “The client appreciated the transparency and understood where the constraints came from. We agreed on a revised timeline that worked for both parties, and the product was delivered as promised. I kept the client satisfied and maintained a strong business relationship, so I’m happy with how that turned out.”
Question #7
Give me an example of a time when you didn’t meet a client’s expectations. How did you deal with the situation?
Situation: “As a banker, I once had a client who was expecting a loan approval within a week, but due to unforeseen processing delays, it took longer.”
Task: “It was my responsibility to manage the client's disappointment and find a solution.”
Action: “I called the client as soon as I realized the delay, explained the situation honestly, and apologized for the inconvenience. I assured them that their application was a priority and provided a revised timeline.”
Results: “The client appreciated the proactive communication and transparency. Although they were initially disappointed, they appreciated the effort to keep them informed. I’d say it helped restore their trust and maintain a positive relationship with them for the future.”
Question #8
Did you ever have to correct one of your superiors when they were wrong? How did you approach that situation?
Situation: “Yes, there was a time when my manager, who isn't a web developer or technical expert, misunderstood a key aspect of our website's functionality.”
Task: “I needed to correct him without causing any friction or embarrassment.”
Action: “I scheduled a one-on-one meeting and calmly explained the correct information, using simple terms and visual aids to make it clear. I emphasized that it was a common misunderstanding and showed how the correct approach would benefit our project.”
Results: “He appreciated the clarification and thanked me for bringing it to his attention. So, I fixed the misunderstanding and strengthened our working relationship, since he valued my expertise and honesty.”
Question #9
Can you give an example of a time when your communication skills helped you resolve a tricky situation at work?
Situation: “Yes, there was a time when a customer was very upset because their order was delayed due to a shipping error.”
Task: “My job was to calm the customer down and find a solution to their problem.”
Action: “I listened carefully to the customer's concerns and acknowledged their frustration. Then, I explained the situation honestly and apologized for the inconvenience. I offered to track the shipment personally and provided a discount on their next order as a goodwill gesture.”
Results: “The customer appreciated my honesty and the steps I took to resolve the issue. They accepted the solution and even thanked me personally for my help. It turned a negative experience into a positive one, and the customer remained loyal to our company.”
Question #10
Describe a time when you had to communicate a difficult message to a coworker or client. How did you handle it?
Situation: “As a DevOps engineer, I once had to tell a developer that their recent code deployment caused significant issues in our production environment.”
Task: “I needed to communicate this without throwing blame or causing a conflict so we could work together to resolve the issue.”
Action: “I approached the developer privately and started the conversation by acknowledging their hard work. Then, I explained the problem clearly and respectfully. I suggested we work together to fix the issues and improve our deployment process in the future.”
Results: “The developer appreciated my approach. We quickly identified and resolved the problem, and also implemented a better review process for future deployments. This definitely improved our workflow and strengthened our teamwork in the long run.”
Situation: “I’m usually a very easy-going employee and get along with most of my coworkers. There was this one time though, when I was working for Company Y. At the time they had just purchased new software for the company.”
Task: “I was in charge of introducing it to my coworkers since I had previous experience with it. The CEO however, also brought in someone from the software company to assist with the transition as well. We had to cooperate on this task and well.. the guy wasn’t too thrilled about the idea. He often interrupted me whenever I was explaining something, and sometimes didn’t even invite me to some of the training we were supposed to organize together. “
Action: “I decided to approach him and suggested we split the responsibilities. He would handle the theoretical part of the training, like the introduction to how it works, and I’d explain the practical stuff, as in, how we can implement the software for our business case.”
Results: “He agreed, and the transition went smoothly since then. Took us around a week and a half to get the entire team on board and productive with the new tool.”
Question #12
How do you deal with coworkers who don’t cooperate or can’t contribute enough?
Situation: “In my role as a Java developer, there was a time when a team member wasn’t meeting their deadlines, which was affecting our project.”
Task: “I needed to address the issue to keep the project on track.”
Action: “I first talked to them privately to understand if they were facing any challenges. I offered help with any technical issues and suggested pairing up to complete our tasks so that we could share knowledge and improve their performance. I also kept the team lead informed about the situation.”
Results: “My approach helped improve their contributions. We managed to complete the project on time, and the coworker felt more supported and became more productive as we progressed.”
Question #13
Give me an example of a time when you and your team had opposing views on an issue. How did you persuade them to go with your decision?
Situation: “As part of the graphic design team, we were working on a major rebranding project, and we had different ideas about the new logo design.”
Task: “I fully believed my concept was more aligned with the brand's vision, but the team had other ideas.”
Action: “I organized a meeting to present my design in detail. I explained the reasoning behind my choices, and I wanted to show how it better represented the brand’s identity and goals. I also provided mockups and visual comparisons to illustrate the potential impact.”
Results: “After seeing the rationale and visuals, the team understood my perspective and agreed to go with my design. The rebranding was successful, and the new logo received positive feedback from both the client and our target audience.”
Question #14
Tell me about a time when you had to work closely with someone whose personality was very different from yours. How did you handle it?
Situation: “Well, as a barista, I once worked with a coworker who was very introverted and preferred working alone, while I’m more outgoing and enjoy teamwork.”
Task: “But we needed to work together during busy shifts to keep things running smoothly.”
Action: “I made an effort to understand their working style and respected their need for space. I focused on clear communication and divided tasks based on our strengths. For example, I handled customer interactions, while they managed the back-end tasks.”
Results: “Respecting our differences and playing to our strengths worked out. We could work efficiently together without clashing. Our shifts ran smoothly, and we even received positive feedback from our manager.”
Question #15
Describe a successful project you worked on as part of a team. What was your role, and how did you contribute to the team's success?
Situation: “I worked on an animated short film for a major client with a team of animators.”
Task: “My role was to animate the main characters.”
Action: “I started by collaborating with the character designers to understand their vision and brought those designs to life with smooth and expressive animations. I also coordinated closely with the background artists and the sound design team to make sure my animations fit seamlessly with the overall project.”
Results: “The project was a huge success. Everything was completed on time, we received rave reviews and even won several industry awards. My animations were specifically highlighted for being detailed and expressive, and bringing the characters to life.”
Question #16
How do you adapt to sudden changes in the workplace? Could you give me an example?
Situation: “When you’re an architect, sudden changes are pretty common. One time, a major client decided to change the entire layout of a commercial building project halfway through the design phase.”
Task: “I needed to quickly adapt the plans to meet the new requirements without delaying the project.”
Action: “I organized an urgent meeting with the client to fully understand their new vision. Then, I worked closely with my team to revise the design, reallocate resources, and adjust the project timeline. I also communicated regularly with the client to make sure we were aligned on the new direction of the project.”
Results: “We managed to adapt to the changes successfully and completed the revised design on schedule. The client was impressed with our flexibility and the final outcome, and I’d say that strengthened our professional relationship because it led to more projects with them.”
Question #17
What was the first job you ever had? Do you remember how you adapted and learned the ropes?
Situation: “My first job was selling snacks at a movie theater, ages ago.”
Task: “I had to quickly learn how to operate the cash register, manage inventory, and provide excellent customer service during busy weekends and evenings.”
Action: “On my first day, I paid close attention during training and asked a lot of questions to understand how everything worked. I also watched my coworkers to learn tips and tricks that could help me be more efficient. When I made mistakes, I tried to take note of them and adjust. I also made an effort to stay friendly and calm, even during rush hours. I was still in high school at the time, so everything was really new and unfamiliar but I think I had the right idea.”
Results: “Within a few shifts, I felt confident in my role. I could handle the busiest shifts and I even helped train new employees after a few weeks. The experience taught me how important adaptability and attention to detail are, along with some crucial customer service skills. I’ve applied everything I learned in my jobs since then, so it was a valuable experience.”
Question #18
Tell me about a time when you had to think on your feet in order to deal with a situation.
Situation: “I was organizing a large corporate event, and an hour before it started, the caterer called to say they were stuck in traffic and would be late.”
Task: “I had to quickly find a solution to make sure the guests had refreshments on time.”
Action: “I immediately contacted a nearby restaurant that I had a good relationship with and arranged for them to deliver appetizers and drinks quickly. Meanwhile, I communicated with the venue staff to set up the temporary refreshments and keep guests informed about the delay.”
Results: “The guests were pleased with the interim refreshments, and when the caterer arrived, the transition was smooth. The event went off without a hitch, and the client was very impressed with how I handled the unexpected setback. I’d say it taught me how important quick thinking and having backup plans are in event planning.”
Question #19
Tell me about a time when you had the liberty to be creative with your work. Was it exciting or difficult for you?
Situation: “I was once hired to create artwork for a children's book where the author gave me complete creative freedom.”
Task: “My task was to bring the story to life through illustrations, with no strict guidelines or limitations. So, there were pros and cons to the situation. On one hand, I had no restrictions… but on the other, I was missing a framework to work around, so I had to make it myself.”
Action: “I started by thoroughly reading the manuscript to understand the story and characters. Then, I brainstormed and sketched different concepts. I experimented with different styles and color palettes until I found the right fit. Throughout the process, I communicated with the author to make sure my vision aligned with theirs.”
Results: “The project was both exciting and challenging. It pushed me to explore new artistic techniques and trust my creative instincts. The author was thrilled with the final illustrations, and the book received great feedback for its visual appeal. It showed me how exciting it can be to have creative freedom and how important it is to balance creativity with a framework to keep things on track.”
Question #20
Give me an example of a situation where you showed initiative and took charge of it.
Situation:“At my previous job at XYZ Company, I was an IT specialist when we were experiencing frequent network outages that disrupted our work.”
Task: “I realized we needed a more reliable network solution, but it wasn’t assigned to anyone specifically.”
Action: “I took the initiative to look for and identify the root cause of the outages. After finding the problem, I proposed a new network infrastructure plan to my manager. Once he approved it, I led the project to upgrade our systems, coordinated with vendors, and managed the implementation process.”
Results: “The new network significantly reduced downtime and improved our overall productivity. So, I solved a critical issue and tested my ability to take charge and lead projects, which worked out nicely.”
Question #21
Was there a time when you had to be very strategic in order to meet a goal?
Situation: “Yes, when I was the business development manager at XYZ Company, I once needed to break into a new market and increase our client base within six months.”
Task: “I needed to figure out a way to find and secure new clients in a market I wasn’t familiar with.”
Action: “I started by researching the market to understand potential clients and their needs. Then, I crafted a focused outreach campaign with personalized emails and follow-ups. I also reached out to existing clients for referrals and attended industry events to network.”
Results: “The strategy worked really well. We ended up getting 20% more new clients than we aimed for within the six months. It showed me how a targeted and well-planned approach can really make a difference.”
Question #22
Tell me about a time when you handled the pressure well.
Situation: “One of the busiest nights at the restaurant I used to work at is during a big event in the city. It just so happened that on that night, we had a fully booked restaurant with a long waitlist.”
Task: “I was a server, so I had to make sure all tables were served promptly and everyone had a good experience despite the rush.”
Action: “I tried to stay calm and organized, and I prioritized my tasks and communicated closely with the kitchen staff to keep everything running smoothly. I also made sure to check in with my tables regularly to update them on their orders and address any concerns. The busier the restaurant, the slower the orders come out, so it was good to touch base with the kitchen and guests.”
Results: “Even though it was hectic, the night went well. The customers were overall happy with the service, and a few even complimented me on handling the busy night so professionally. My manager praised the team for keeping it together under pressure, and I felt great knowing I contributed to that success.”
Question #23
Can you describe a situation where you had to motivate your team to achieve a challenging goal? How did you do it?
Situation: “So, I was the game designer at ABC Studios, and we were in the final stages of developing a new game. Unfortunately, the board of executives made us make some huge changes to the gameplay while we had a really tight deadline to meet before the launch.”
Task: “My job was to keep the team motivated and focused to finish the game on time without compromising on quality.”
Action: “I organized daily stand-up meetings to track progress and address any issues quickly. I also set small, achievable milestones to keep everyone motivated. And, to boost morale, I made sure to celebrate each milestone with small rewards, like team lunches or shout-outs in meetings. I also encouraged an open environment where team members could share ideas and support each other.”
Results: “The team stayed engaged and motivated, and we managed to complete the game on time, although barely, given the short notice about the changes we had to implement. Still, the launch was a success, and the game received positive reviews for its quality. My team appreciated the support and recognition a lot, and I’d say that strengthened our collaboration for future projects.”
Question #24
Tell me about a time when you were faced with a challenging situation. How did you solve it?
Situation: “Sure, there was a time when I had a student who was really struggling with math and was falling behind the rest of the class.”
Task: “As their teacher, I needed to help them catch up and understand the material better.”
Action: “I first figured out which parts they were having trouble with and then made a special lesson plan just for them. I also set up one-on-one tutoring sessions after school to give them extra help. To make things clearer, I used visual aids and practical examples that made the math concepts easier to grasp.”
Results: “Gradually, the student’s understanding and confidence improved a lot. By the end of the semester, they had caught up with the class and even started to enjoy math. It was great to see their progress and know that my efforts helped.”
Question #25
Is there a situation you think you could’ve handled better or differently?
Situation: “Yes, definitely. There was a time on a construction project when we got hit with unexpected bad weather, which caused major delays.”
Task: “I needed to keep the project on track despite the setbacks.”
Action: “I decided to have the team work longer hours whenever the weather cleared up, hoping to make up for lost time. But this led to everyone feeling really stressed and burnt out.”
Results: “Although we met the deadline, the team was exhausted and morale was pretty low. In hindsight, I should have adjusted the timeline sooner and talked to the client about the delays. Rotating shifts to avoid overworking everyone would have been a better approach. Now I know how important it is to be flexible and communicate more during unexpected challenges.”
Question #26
Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond your duties for a job or task.
Situation: “During my time as a real estate agent at Y Company, we got one of the biggest listings the company had ever had. A five million dollar property, newly built, ready to go out in the market.”
Task: “All agents were allowed to work on selling the property since we only had a 3-month deadline set by the owner.”
Action: “I decided I’d add something new to the website to market the house: a virtual tour. I felt like just photos weren’t enough for this property. So, I rented a 360-degree camera, stayed up watching tutorials, and taught myself how to create the tour.”
Results: “When I presented it to management, they were thrilled. They put up the tour on the website and also asked the agents to send it out to their lists of clients. The person who ended up buying the house was in the United Kingdom at the time and didn’t even come see the house in Vancouver before purchasing it. His agent did. He said his client felt like he’d already been in the house because of the tour and had no doubts about purchasing it.”
Question #27
Give me an example of a time when you came up with a creative solution to a problem at work. What happened?
Situation: “I was working on a project where users were having trouble navigating a new app we developed. That’s a huge problem when you’re a UX/UI designer, so I had to look into it.”
Task: “My job was to find a way to make the app more intuitive and user-friendly.”
Action: “I decided to conduct user testing sessions to see exactly where people were getting stuck. After gathering feedback, I realized that the navigation menu was too complicated. So, I redesigned the menu to be simpler and more intuitive, using icons and a clearer layout.”
Results: “The changes made a huge difference. Users found the app much easier to navigate, and the client was thrilled with the improvement. It showed me how a creative, user-focused approach can solve even tricky design problems.”
Question #28
Give me an example of a time you made a mistake at work.
Situation: “The store I was working for would be opening a new location soon and they offered me the manager position there.”
Task: “That meant I was also in charge of monitoring the work until the store opened. I ordered the clothing shipments, trained the new employees, and organized the inauguration event. One hour before the event, the last shipment of boxes hadn’t arrived yet. The clothes we planned to put on the mannequins were in those boxes.”
Action: “I called the delivery company and they said the boxes had already been shipped...to the other location of the store, which is across the city. I’d given them the wrong address. There was absolutely no time for those boxes to arrive at the location we were at.”
Results: “So, we dressed the mannequins in clothes from the old collection. I explained the situation to my superiors. They weren’t very happy about it, of course, but they acknowledged that it was a human mistake and that it could happen to anyone. I’ve been a lot more diligent with checking the address on shipments since then.”
FAQs on STAR Interview Questions
Still wondering something about STAR interview questions? Check out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below.
Key Takeaways
All clear?
Good!
Now, let’s go over the essentials one more time:
Behavioral interview questions ask you to give an example of how you’ve handled a specific situation at work. They help the interviewer predict how you might react to similar scenarios in the future.
The best way to answer any behavioral interview question is by using the STAR method. It’s a structure that you can follow for any examples you might have.
The STAR acronym stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Results. This keeps your answers structured and easy to follow, no matter what the question is.
There are tons of STAR interview questions out there, so it’s important to prepare beforehand and have a few exceptional experiences ready to use as examples. These can be anything that shows your problem-solving, teamwork, conflict resolution, or other soft skills in action.
Andrei combines academic knowledge with over 10 years of practical experience to help job seekers navigate the challenges of resumes, interviews, and career growth. Through the Novorésumé Career Blog, he offers actionable advice to simplify and ace the job search process.
