The short answer
Read the role requirements, choose relevant situations from your experience and practise explaining what you did and the result. Use a simple structure to keep the answer clear, while staying honest about your contribution.
Start with the job description
The National Careers Service recommends reviewing the job description, researching the employer and preparing examples from past experience. Choose a few requirements that seem central to the role rather than memorising generic answers to every possible question.
For each requirement, note a situation that gives evidence of it. Work, volunteering, study and other responsibilities may offer examples, depending on what the employer asks for.
Explain the situation and your action
The STAR structure covers situation, task, action and result. Keep the background brief enough to leave room for what you actually did. Use “I” for your contribution and “we” where the outcome belonged to a team.
If the result was mixed, explain what happened and what you learned. Do not invent a percentage, financial result or leadership role because you think the answer needs to sound more impressive.
- Situation: what was happening?
- Task: what did you need to do?
- Action: what did you personally do?
- Result: what happened, and what did you learn?
Practise for clarity rather than a script
Say the example aloud and ask whether the main action is understandable without insider knowledge. Keep a few keywords instead of memorising a paragraph that becomes difficult to adapt.
Prepare questions about the role and check the interview format, travel or video setup. If you need an adjustment, discuss it with the employer in advance. An interview is also an opportunity to understand whether the role fits your needs.
ONE SMALL ACTION
Try this today.
Choose one job requirement and write a four-part example from real experience. Practise it aloud, keeping your action and result clear.
Add a task to my daily focusCommon questions
Can I use an example outside paid work?
Possibly, if it is relevant to the requirement. Explain the context clearly and check any instructions from the employer.
Should I exaggerate the result?
No. Describe the outcome accurately, including what you learned if it did not go to plan.
Sources and further reading
These sources support the information identified in the guide. The exercises and examples are suggestions from It Is My Year.
Links checked 4 October 2026.
Our guides are general starting points. Products in the collection are coming soon. Read our editorial approach.