1. www.CrossroadsCareer.org Keys to Developing a Winning STAR Story Presented by: Natalie Ackerman

2. www.CrossroadsCareer.org The most accurate predictor of future performance is past performance in similar situations An employer doesn’t want to know hypothetical's – they want to know what you actually did 2 Why behavioral interviewing?

3. www.CrossroadsCareer.org Adaptability Able to maintain effectiveness in varying environments and with different tasks, responsibilities, and people. Communication Skills Can deliver ideas and concepts in a succinct, organized, and understandable fashion. High skill level with active listening. Customer Service Ability to understand/anticipate and meet/exceed the customer’s needs. What are interviewers looking for?

4. www.CrossroadsCareer.org Decision Making Ability to identify and understand issues, problems, and opportunities; compare data from different sources to draw conclusions and take action. Initiative Actively attempts to influence events and people to achieve goals; self-starting. Taking imaginative, creative action to achieve goals beyond what is called for. Leadership Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods in guiding individuals (subordinates, peers, superiors) or groups toward maximum results. What are interviewers looking for?

5. www.CrossroadsCareer.org Motivation The activities that stimulate and intrinsically reward you. Persuasiveness Ability to convince others, help groups to work together. Practical Learning Assimilating and applying, in a timely manner, new job-related information that may vary in complexity. Stress tolerance Stability of performance under pressure and/ or opposition. Handling disappointment and/or rejection while maintaining effectiveness. What are interviewers looking for?

6. www.CrossroadsCareer.org Situation Frame the story with contextual details, offering specific numbers about the situation:  What was the specific situation you were faced with?  Use numbers to describe who and what was involved  Where and when did it occur?  What was the impact of the situation?  What was the timeframe for the story? Task  What was the overall outcome or target for the project? STAR Model

7. www.CrossroadsCareer.org Action  What specific action was taken to tackle the task, overcome the challenge, or resolve the issue?  Were others were closely involved? If so, what interaction was had with them?  Describe the thoughts and/or decision-making process. What was the specific role in relation to the team? Results  What measurable outcome was achieved? How were others impacted, including boss, team, department, company, customers, community, or industry. STAR Model

8. www.CrossroadsCareer.org Everyone has quantifiable accomplishments! Shift your thinking from WHAT you do (tasks & skills) to… WHAT HAPPENS when you do it (results) “Why-Buy-ROI” says: I know what you need … I can do it… I can prove I can do it and… I can do it again!

9. www.CrossroadsCareer.org How have you helped your employer(s):  Make more money…  Save money or time…  Make work easier…  Solve a specific problem…  Become more competitive…  Strengthen the relationships or image with customers, vendors, or the public…  Expand the normal scope of business…  Bring in new customers…  Retain existing customers… What’s Your R.O.I.?

10. www.CrossroadsCareer.org Situation: As the office manager for a small insurance company, I noticed a problem with employees pilfering our office supplies. Task: My challenge was to stop losses of more than $1,000 per month. Action: I instituted a check out system for items valued in excess of $50. Designed an “honor system” for obtaining incidentals. Posted a bar graph in the supply room reflecting volume in use of supplies over the past six months, along with reduction goals for each ensuing month—when we reached the monthly goal, I rewarded staff with their choice of free movie tickets or early dismissal one day a month. Result: I reduced office supply costs by more than 35% and demonstrated that I’m great at finding solutions to problems that ultimately save the company money. STAR Example

11. www.CrossroadsCareer.org Tell me about a time when you:  Worked effectively under pressure  Handled a difficult situation with a co-worker or customer  Were creative in solving a problem  Persuaded team members to do things your way  Anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures  Had to make an important decision with limited facts  Had to adapt to a difficult situation  Delegated a project effectively  Overcame a major obstacle  Had to handle many priorities at once  Were involved in a work project that gave you great satisfaction What’s Your Story?