How to Answer Interview Questions — Create Amazing Stories
Use the STAR Method to highlight your past achievements and tell stories that interviewers will remember.
This is part of a special series sharing insights, tips, and actions you can implement when searching for a job — whether leaving your current one or due to a recent layoff.
Did you know there is actually a formula for how you should answer an interview question?
When an interviewer is asking a question — usually starting with “tell me about a time…” — there are specific things they are listening for.
And because we know that they are listening for a certain response… we can tailor our answers to each question perfectly.
Now, if you are keeping up with the series you just finished updating your resume and LinkedIn, but you’re probably thinking to yourself…
…now we are talking about interview prep? What about applying and getting the callback!?
This is actually VERY intentional because after going through these steps, you’ll be not only able to further improve your resume and LinkedIn… but also know how to perfectly complete any open-ended application questions or first-round recruiter screening calls.
Also, right now all of your past accomplishments are fresh in your mind. You just went through the brainstorming process to complete your resume and LinkedIn.
We are going to leverage all those fresh stories in your mind and refine them by answering these three questions:
- What is the STAR Method?
- How do I incorporate my own experiences into the STAR Method?
- How to modify these stories to apply to every future question, cover letter, and more!
What is the STAR Method?
Developing and adopting frameworks, like the STAR Method, are sure-fire ways to avoid missing any key pieces of information.
I first heard about the STAR Method in college… and I’ve used it time-and-time again whenever I am actively looking for a job or networking with other business professionals.
Networking?
That’s right, even networking because it’ll help you avoid using confusing industry terms (aka jargon) and tell a story that person can remember about you.
The STAR Method is a story-telling framework that will help make you, and your accomplishments memorable!
S — Situation
Set the stage!
In 1-2 sentences describe the problem that you were faced with, and why that problem mattered.
Example: “At my previous company, we were experiencing a 40% customer churn rate which was directly impacting our monthly recurring revenue.”
T — Task
How were you involved with that problem?
What were you responsible for coming up with the solution?
Example: “As the Product Manager, I was tasked with identifying the root causes of churn and developing a retention strategy.”
A — Action
What did you actually do?
This is where you get into the specifics. Walk through the steps you took to address the situation. Be detailed but concise.
Example: “I conducted customer interviews, analyzed usage data to identify drop-off points, and worked with engineering to build an onboarding flow that addressed the top 3 friction points.”
R — Result
What was the outcome?
Quantify it whenever possible. Numbers make your stories memorable and credible.
Example: “Within 6 months, we reduced churn by 25% and increased customer lifetime value by $2,000.”
How to Use STAR for Your Own Experiences
Take the accomplishments you brainstormed for your resume and LinkedIn. For each one, write out the full STAR story.
Pro tips:
- Keep it concise — Your full story should be 60-90 seconds when spoken aloud
- Practice out loud — It sounds different in your head than when you say it
- Prepare 4-6 stories — These can be adapted to answer most behavioral questions
- Focus on YOUR contribution — Even in team efforts, be clear about what you specifically did
Adapting Stories for Different Questions
The beauty of the STAR Method is that one story can answer multiple questions:
- “Tell me about a time you solved a problem” → Focus on the Action
- “Tell me about a time you showed leadership” → Emphasize how you rallied the team
- “Tell me about a time you failed” → Discuss what you learned in the Result
You don’t need a unique story for every question. You need 4-6 solid stories that you can adapt.
Beyond Interviews
These STAR stories are useful for:
- Cover letters — Use the Result to hook them, then explain the Situation
- Recruiter screening calls — Have these ready for “tell me about yourself”
- Networking — When someone asks what you do, share a quick story instead of a job title
- Performance reviews — Document your accomplishments in this format
Summary
After you complete this, you’ll probably want to go back and refine your resume and LinkedIn.
Resist that urge.
Do it if you feel like you must, but remember — refinement and optimization can take an endless amount of time.
Set these STAR stories aside… as this will become a helpful resource in the future filled with details (and a format) to share your accomplishments in a way that almost anyone can understand.
💡 Action Steps
📔 Create your own stories using the STAR Method (45 minutes)
Create at least 4 stories highlighting your past accomplishments using the STAR Method.
For each story, write out:
- Situation (1-2 sentences)
- Task (1 sentence)
- Action (2-4 sentences)
- Result (1-2 sentences with numbers!)
Practice saying them out loud until they feel natural.
This article is for educational purposes and not career advice.
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