Application advice and STAR / CAR methods
When applying for jobs or opportunities, effectively communicating your skills and experiences is crucial. These responses must be compelling, engaging and tailored to your audience and the application process. Applications could take the form of:
A CV and cover letter.
Online.
A paper application form.
Questions or assessment tasks, such as video interviews or psychometric tests.
Make sure to always write your applications to meet the brief the organisation has provided.
Two popular techniques for answering interview and application form questions are the STAR and CAR methods. Both methods help you structure your responses to behavioural questions, making it easier for you to showcase your capabilities.
What is the STAR method?
The STAR method stands for:
Situation: Describe the context or background of the situation you faced.
Task: Explain the specific task or challenge that you needed to address.
Action: Discuss the specific actions you took to address the task or challenge.
Result: Share the outcomes of your actions, including any measurable results or learnings.
Using STAR in an application
Example Application Question:
"Describe a time when you worked effectively as part of a team."
STAR response:
Situation: During my role as a member of the student council, we were tasked with organising a charity event for a local homeless shelter.
Task: Our goal was to raise £5,000 and increase community awareness about homelessness.
Action: I took on the responsibility of coordinating the logistics. I organised meetings to delegate tasks, contacted local businesses for sponsorships, and created promotional materials to advertise the event.
Result: The event was a huge success; we raised £7,500 and attracted over 200 attendees. The local newspaper featured our event, increasing community awareness and support for the shelter.
Using STAR in an interview
Example Interview Question:
"Tell me about a time when you faced a significant challenge."
STAR response:
Situation: In my internship at a marketing firm, we were working on a critical campaign with a tight deadline.
Task: My team needed to create a comprehensive social media strategy within a week, while ensuring it aligned with the client’s goals.
Action: I organised mind mapping sessions and delegated tasks based on each team member's strengths. I also set up daily check-ins to track our progress and address any issues promptly.
Result: We completed the project 2 days early, and the client praised the quality of our work, which led to further collaboration with them.
What is the CAR method?
The CAR method stands for:
Context: Describe the situation or challenge you faced.
Action: Explain the specific actions you took to address the situation or challenge.
Result: Share the outcome of your actions, including any measurable results or feedback.
Using CAR in an application
Example application question:
"Provide an example of a time when you demonstrated problem-solving skills."
CAR response:
Context: While volunteering for a community service project, our team lost access to a key resource that was crucial for the event.
Action: I quickly assessed the situation and contacted alternative suppliers. I also gathered the team to brainstorm solutions and reassign tasks to accommodate the changes.
Result: We secured a new supplier within a few hours, and the event went smoothly, receiving positive feedback from participants about the organisation.
Using CAR in an interview
Example interview question:
"Describe a time when you had to lead a group to achieve a goal."
CAR Response:
Context: As the project leader for a class assignment, our group was struggling to meet our deadlines due to conflicting schedules.
Action: I took the initiative to set a clear timeline and organised virtual meetings to ensure everyone could participate. I also established a shared document for everyone to contribute ideas at their convenience.
Result: As a result, we successfully completed the project on time, and my classmates appreciated my leadership in keeping everyone on track.
Comparison of STAR and CAR
Method: STAR
Structure: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
Focus: Emphasises the task and the challenge you faced.
Method: CAR
Structure: Context, Action, Result
Focus: Focuses on the situation and the actions taken without explicitly stating a task.
Tips for using STAR and CAR
Be specific: Use concrete examples that clearly illustrate your experiences and skills.
Focus on your role: Highlight your specific contributions and actions in the situation.
Practice: Rehearse your STAR and CAR responses to ensure you can recall them comfortably during interviews.
Conclusion
Both the STAR and CAR methods are valuable tools for effectively communicating your skills and experiences during applications and interviews. By structuring your answers using these techniques, you can provide clear, impactful responses that demonstrate your qualifications. Practice using both methods to enhance your ability to showcase your experiences and prepare for your next opportunity!
You can also explore additional STAR resources on the National Careers Service website.