STAR format: The “A” matters

“Tell me about a time when you achieved results which surpassed expectations” is a something you should be prepared for an interviewer to say when pursuing your next role. When providing answers to interview questions, the S.T.A.R. format is a general guideline for responses which highlight your abilities. Most professionals agree on Situation, Task, and Response, but whether “A” stands for Approach or Action is up for debate. Which you use may vary based on the role you are applying to.

When applying for an individual contributor role — one without a direct managerial requirement — Action should be your focus. Hiring managers want to know what steps you took in a certain established process. For example, if applying to a sales position, you would want to focus on the steps you took in the client generation process which led to great results. The same is true for many other roles where established steps are taken across industries to solve problems. Software engineers, mechanics, and photographers all have similar processes which may be the same or similar no matter the industry.

Be aware that the opposite is also true! The specific company you are applying to may have a proprietary approach which differs from industry standards. You’ll want to research that beforehand, and demonstrate that you have experience, or are at least familiar with, their approach.

For managerial roles where you’ll have direct reports, be prepared to demonstrate a consistent approach to tackling tough issues. This approach should include how you collect data, consult with others, make decisions, and communicate. You’ll be demonstrating your leadership in these responses, so take stock of your personal leadership style as part of your interview preparation.

Organizations look for managers with specific leadership styles which match the culture they embrace. Do your homework, and seek out organizations which demonstrate alignment with the leadership style you’ll bring to work each day. Not doing so, can quickly lead to cultural mismatch.

It’s important to note that neither Approach nor Action is an all-or-none format. When applying to managerial roles, you’ll want to speak to specific actions you took, and speaking to your approach benefits those looking for an individual contributor role as well. It’s about the emphasis you place on either format, and the importance a hiring manager will place on the feedback you provide.