The STAR (R) Technique For Researchers - 1.3.16

The STAR(R) Technique for Researchers
What is the STAR(R) Technique?
• A useful tool to answer competency based questions (examples below)
• Using this to answer questions (on your application or at interview) to provide comprehensive
and concise answers
• The second ‘R’ is a new addition, it may be useful for some situations or you could end with
‘R’ for Result
Examples of competency/skills based questions
• Tell us about a time you have successfully worked as part of a team.
• Provide an example of where you have analysed a large amount of complex data, how you
achieved this.
• Describe a time when you have demonstrated excellent time management skills.
• We are looking for problem-solvers. How do you solve problems?
Using STAR(R) to answer questions:
Situation: when/where – set the scene

Task: the goal, aim or challenge
Action: what you did/your role
Result: the outcome
Reflection: what did I learn
Some notes:
• See the examples below, these help explain the use of STAR
• Remember if you are demonstrating your ability to work in a team make sure you talk about
the action YOU took (not the team)
• Results need to be as quantifiable as possible, something that can be referred to or looked
up if necessary
• You can use the table below to build your STAR answers
Academia STARR examples
Job spec Situation Task Action Result Reflection

criteria
Teaching University of • Lecture PhD • Created • 95% pass • Learnt how to

skills Southampton students and course rate over 3 design and
UG students materials years delivery
in C++ • Delivered • Student effective
Post-Doctoral programming lectures award learning to a
Research language • Assessed range of
Associate students’ students to
work high standards
• Ran
discussion
groups
Research University of • To secure • Supporting • Funding • Learnt to work
funding Bath funding for 2 construction secured and collaboratively
experience years from of EPSRC project • Experienced
EPSRC to bid commenced difficulty of
Research continue • Co- • 4 research successful bid
Assistant Systems presented to papers writing
Methodology funding • 3 co-
research committee authored
• 1 sole
author
How to translate into application or interview answer
Teaching experience
As a Lecturer in IS at Southampton University I was responsible for delivering modules in C++

programming to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. To achieve this I created
course materials, delivered lectures, assessed students’ work and supervised students’ projects.
Over a three year period I achieved a 95% pass rate and one student received an award for
their high quality work.
Industry STAR examples
Job spec criteria Situation Task Action Result

Project Loughborough To manage • Created • Project
Management University research project project plan delivered on
to be completed • Identified time and to
Research on time and milestones budget
Associate within budget • Managed • Funding for
resources and further project
personnel awarded as a
• Monitored result
progress
Team working University of To work with • Organised • Team
Bath interdisciplinary team members met
team to deliver meetings with each other
Research research findings members from face to face or
Assistant on project different virtually
locations • Good team
• Operated IT relationships
equipment to developed
include off-site
contributions
How to translate into application or interview answer
Managing a complex project
Whilst completing my PhD at Loughborough University I was responsible conducting research

in *** and delivering results to meet submission, conference and publication dates. To achieve
this I created a project plan, plotted milestones, managed resources and personnel and
monitored progress. As a result of my excellent project management, I was able to submit my
PhD thesis ahead of the three year timeframe.
Creating your STAR(R) stories

• These can be collected and prepared in advance of application completion or interview
attendance
• Identify your areas of experience eg. jobs, PhD completion, area of interest, voluntary
work
• Think about key competences for roles you seek and start creating your STAR(R) stories
• It’s useful to have two or three examples for the same competency, so that you can chose
which is the most appropriate to use
Preparation and practice

• Practice your answers by talking through your STAR(R) stories, either to yourself or by
answering questions from others
• You could record yourself and listen to your responses (be kind to yourself!)
• Take care not to just remember answers to regurgitate as they will sound stilted
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The STAR(R) Technique for Researchers

What is the STAR(R) Technique?

• A useful tool to answer competency based questions (examples below)

Examples of competency/skills based questions

• Tell us about a time you have successfully worked as part of a team.

• We are looking for problem-solvers. How do you solve problems?

Using STAR(R) to answer questions:

Situation: when/where – set the scene

Job spec Situation Task Action Result Reflection

Teaching University of • Lecture PhD • Created • 95% pass • Learnt how to

How to translate into application or interview answer

As a Lecturer in IS at Southampton University I was responsible for delivering modules in C++

Job spec criteria Situation Task Action Result

How to translate into application or interview answer

Managing a complex project

Whilst completing my PhD at Loughborough University I was responsible conducting research

Creating your STAR(R) stories

Preparation and practice

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