Situational interview questions and the STAR method

Want to learn more about handling situational questions during interviews? It’s never too early to start preparing. This week we discuss resources to help prepare and strategies to handle situational interview questions, including the STAR method. We also discuss steps you can take now to make it easier and more authentic to answer these questions in the future.

STAR Stands for:

Situation: Describe the situation you were in or task you need to accomplish

Task: The goal you are working towards

Action: Describe the actions you took to address the situation. Keep the focus on YOU. What did YOU do, what steps did YOU take. Use "I" and not "we" if possible

Result/Resolution: Describe the outcome of your actions and take credit if credit is due.

Can also do START with the last T meaning Take-away: What did you get form the situation and how to apply it to future situations.

TIP: Keep a journal of these situations during rotations.

Also, check out this useful resource from ASHP that includes these examples of these types of questions as well as a worksheet for using the STAR method: Interview Skills Packet for Residency Candidates

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