What is the STAR Technique?
The STAR Technique is a powerful tool for transforming your employment history and skills into compelling narratives that exceed employer expectations. The acronym STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. A resume employing this technique answers four key questions:
- Situation: What challenge or context did you encounter?
- Task: What was your role and what objectives did you have?
- Action: What specific steps did you take to meet those objectives?
- Result: What was the impact of your actions, preferably quantified?
For instance, consider this STAR bullet point for an Uber driver:
- Successfully completed over 5,000 Uber rides during the COVID-19 pandemic by strictly following health protocols and offering hand sanitizers, achieving a consistent 5-star rating from January to December 2020.
Why Opt for the STAR Technique?
The STAR Technique offers several advantages:
- It showcases a deep understanding of your job role and history.
- It highlights specific, relevant experiences for the job you're applying for.
- It allows you to articulate your value in a concise yet impactful manner.
For example, a marketing manager might use the following STAR statements:
- Developed a daily check-in routine and weekly Zoom agendas to oversee a team of 18 marketing professionals.**
- Oversaw the successful launch of 24 new campaigns, resulting in a 93% increase in revenue and meeting all KPIs for three quarters.**
Crafting a Resume with the STAR Technique
To build a resume using the STAR Technique, follow these steps:
- Analyze the Job Description: Identify 1–3 key skills or achievements that the job requires.
- Relate to Your Experience: Find past roles that demonstrate these skills or achievements.
- Draft Your Accomplishments: Use the STAR framework to outline your achievements.
- Quantify Your Achievements: Use specific numbers to make your accomplishments more compelling.
For example, a recent graduate might have the following STAR bullet points:
- As a recent Literature graduate, wrote 10 essays per semester, dedicating over 15 hours per week to research and writing, achieving a perfect score on 9 out of 10 essays and maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
By using the STAR Technique, you not only make your resume more personalized but also prepare yourself for future interviews with specific stories and examples to share.
