STAR Method Interview Prep Packet

The STAR method is a simple formula for answering behavioral interview questions. Please see our guide on the STAR method for a
complete explanation, tips, and examples. The worksheets in the packet will help you prepare for any interview by drafting five STAR
stories, step by step. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result.

Situation What was going on? 2-3 sentences

Task What was your goal? 1-2 sentences

Action What did you do? 2-3 sentences

Result What was the outcome? 2-3 sentences

Five Key Success Stories

For any interview, prepare these five success stories, ready to discuss in STAR format.
1. An accomplishment you’re proud of
2. A time you went above and beyond
3. A conflict that was resolved successfully
4. A challenge that you overcame
5. A mistake that you learned from

These five topics cover the most common behavioral questions and will allow you to showcase your successes, communication skills,
adaptability, professionalism, and willingness to learn. You may also find it necessary to develop other types of stories related to your
field and the skills, values, and attributes most important for a particular job or program.

Please print this packet single-sided. Activities are designed to be used side by side.

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Step 1: Brainstorming Related Experience
First, identify your relevant past experience. This will help you think up the most pertinent examples. Check all that apply, then jot down
the specific jobs, classes and so on where you got the experience. List everything that comes to mind.

Position You Are Interviewing For: _________________________ Field/Industry: _________________________

Possible Related Experience Where You Got The Experience

 College major, minor or other classes

 Work or internship experience in field

 Volunteer experience in field

 Research or other projects

 Attended a conference or other event

 Trainings or certifications

 Skills and abilities

 Shadowing or observation experience

Similar role in a previous position (even

 if it was in a different field)

 Other related experience

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Step 2: Brainstorming Examples
Next, you will brainstorm specific examples. Focus on the related experience you identified in Step 1 and jot down a few ideas. Aim for
about 2-3 examples each.

Type of Story Guiding Questions Your Examples

What is the hardest project you’ve done in college? At
work? As a volunteer? Can you think of a time a
Accomplishment
professor or supervisor recognized your work? Have you
you’re proud of
ever received an award or honors? When have you done
your best work?

Have you ever gone in early or stayed late at work or the

Time you went
library to finish a project (but not because you put it off to
above and
the last minute)? Can you think of a time that you really
beyond
wanted to give a project your all?

Have you ever felt frustrated working on a group project,

but everything worked out in the end? Can you think of a
Conflict that was time you had to sit down with a classmate or coworker to
resolved settle a disagreement? Have you ever felt nervous to
discuss something with a coworker or supervisor, but
were relieved as soon as you talked to them?
Have you ever thought to yourself, “Oh !@#$, what are
we going to do now?!” in a work, school or volunteer
Challenge that setting? Can you think of a time that things did not go as
you overcame planned, but it was all ok in the end? What was the
hardest day you’ve ever had at work or school (not due
to a personal issue)?

What’s something you would do differently now if you

had the chance? Can you think of a time you apologized
Mistake you
to someone in a professional or academic setting? Do
learned from
you ever cringe when looking back on something you
said or did?

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Step 3: Choosing Quality Examples
Let’s take a closer look and decide which examples are best for your interview. It’s important to choose examples that demonstrate you
are well-qualified for the position. Take the list you brainstormed in Step 2, and go through the following checklist.

CIRCLE any examples of… CROSS OUT any examples of…

 Related experience (identified in Step 1)  Stories that are more personal than professional
If you are 21 or older, any experience from high school (if
Quantifiable results (you know numbers like how many
  under 21, high school experience is ok, but prioritize college
customers, how much money, etc.)
examples when possible)
Negative outcomes (it didn’t work out in the end, you don’t
 Positive outcomes (everything worked out great in the end) 
have a happy ending for the story)
Things you feel upset about (you are angry at a classmate,
 Stories you’d enjoy telling 
you think your boss should have apologized to you)
Stories you’d feel comfortable telling your little sister (or Stories you wouldn’t want to tell your grandma (or anyone
 
anyone who looks up to you) whose opinion you value)
Stories that would make you want to hire someone if you were Stories that might make you not want to hire someone if you
 
in the interviewer’s shoes were in the interviewer’s shoes

Now it’s time to select one high-quality example for each type of story. Circled examples may be especially useful. Crossed out
examples are probably not suitable. Pick one for each category and fill them in below.

Accomplishment Time you went Conflict that was Challenge that you Mistake you learned from
you’re proud of above and beyond resolved overcame

Quality
Example

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Step 4: Writing Your STAR Stories
Now you’re ready to write your stories in STAR format. Here is an example.

1. Accomplishment you’re proud of Example Film Club Bake Sale

Situation What was going on? While I was serving as Treasurer of the Film Appreciation Club, I was asked
2-3 sentences to determine our annual budget for the monthly movie nights we host for
students. I ran the numbers, and I realized we were $200 short.

Task What was your goal? We needed to raise money to make up the difference. As Treasurer, I saw
1-2 sentences this as my responsibility.

Action What did you do? I decided to organize a bake sale. I spearheaded the project, recruiting
2-3 sentences members to help, promoting the sale on social media, obtaining all the
baking supplies, and coordinating the preparations. I supervised the team
on sale day, leading the volunteers, tracking purchases, and making sure it
all ran smoothly.
Result What was the outcome? We raised over $350, surpassing our goal. Because of this, we were able to
2-3 sentences add a special extra screening that year. Best of all, the bake sale helped
promote our club, and as a result, attendance at our movie nights
increased by 10%.

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1. Accomplishment you’re proud of Example________________________________

Situation What was going on?

2-3 sentences

Task What was your goal?

1-2 sentences

Action What did you do?

2-3 sentences

Result What was the outcome?

2-3 sentences

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2. Time you went above and beyond Example________________________________

Situation What was going on?

2-3 sentences

Task What was your goal?

1-2 sentences

Action What did you do?

2-3 sentences

Result What was the outcome?

2-3 sentences

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3. Conflict that was resolved Example________________________________

Situation What was going on?

2-3 sentences

Task What was your goal?

1-2 sentences

Action What did you do?

2-3 sentences

Result What was the outcome?

2-3 sentences

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4. Challenge that you overcame Example________________________________

Situation What was going on?

2-3 sentences

Task What was your goal?

1-2 sentences

Action What did you do?

2-3 sentences

Result What was the outcome?

2-3 sentences

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5. Mistake you learned from Example________________________________

Situation What was going on?

2-3 sentences

Task What was your goal?

1-2 sentences

Action What did you do?

2-3 sentences

Result What was the outcome?

2-3 sentences

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Step 5: Practice
Nice work! You have brainstormed related experience, identified the best examples, and written five stories using the STAR method.
You have done considerable work to get ready for your interview, and you will be more prepared, professional and convincing as a
result. There’s just one step left—practicing your stories so you can deliver them with clarity and confidence in the interview. Below is a
list of ways you can practice. For best results, complete all of the steps below. We suggest doing at least three of these activities.

Practice Checklist
After completing this packet, take a day or two to sleep on it. Then, reread all your stories, and revise any passages you think

could be improved. Rewrite the complete revised versions on a new page.

 Say the stories out loud to yourself in the mirror. Practice a few times until it starts to feel more comfortable.

Use your phone to record yourself telling the stories, and listen to the recordings. Try to notice whether you sound positive

and confident, speak clearly, and so on. Then, record yourself again.

Ask a trusted friend or family member to listen. Ask for their suggestions and feedback. Choose someone you consider

professional and who has been successful in their own interviews.

Call Career Services at 505-277-2531 to schedule a mock interview. We will tailor the interview to the position you’re seeking

and provide in-depth feedback to help you improve and prepare.

If you’ve already done a mock interview, call Career Services to schedule a follow-up appointment. Bring this packet and ask

for feedback on your STAR stories.

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