A simple structure for answering "Tell me about a time when...".
Direct answer
The STAR method answers behavioural questions by describing the Situation, the Task you faced, the Action you took and the Result. Focus most of your answer on your actions and the measurable result. Prepare several stories in advance.
Example
Question: Tell me about a time you handled a difficult customer.
- Situation: A customer was angry about a late delivery.
- Task: I needed to resolve it and keep them.
- Action: I listened, apologised, found the delay and arranged expedited shipping with a discount.
- Result: The customer stayed and left a positive review.
Tips
- Use "I", not "we", for your actions.
- Include numbers where you can.
- Keep it concise.
- End with what you learned.
Where Teyro fits
Teyro's Acing Job Interviews course turns this into short lessons you can play in a few minutes a day. It has 50 lessons, and you can start free.
The bottom line
Prepare stories, not scripts.
