If you have a passion for libraries, you likely appreciate the impact a captivating story can have. When it comes to job interviews with libraries, have you considered weaving stories into the conversation? This is where the STAR Method can become your trusty friend. This structured storytelling method can help you present your experiences in a concise and memorable manner. By sharing narratives about your past experiences, challenges you’ve overcome, or projects you’ve completed, you can paint a vivid picture of your capabilities and leave a lasting impression on the interviewer.
What is the STAR Method?
STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. When you’re asked behavioral questions in a job interview, the STAR Method can be used to outline your response.
Examples of a behavioral question could be:
- “Tell me about a time when…”
- “Give me an example of…”
- “Describe a situation where…”
How to Use the Star Method
- Situation: Begin by setting the scene. Describe the situation or event you were in. This gives the interviewer context and background information for your story. This should be 1 – 2 sentences.
- Task: Describe the task you were faced with. What was your role in the situation? What challenges were you dealing with? This should be 1 – 2 sentences.
- Action: Explain the action you took to address the task. What did you do? How did you do it? This is an opportunity to highlight your abilities and problem-solving skills. This should be 3 – 4 sentences.
- Result: Explain the result of your actions. What was the outcome? This last step can demonstrate not only your achievements, but also your ability to reflect and learn from your experiences. This should be 2 – 3 sentences.
Example
Question:
Tell me about a time when you had to balance multiple tasks in a busy library.
Answer:
Situation: There was a time when I was working at the circulation desk by myself at a university library and it became particularly busy. A few students were waiting to check out, one student approached saying they couldn’t find a textbook on course reserve, and the phone started ringing.
Task: It was my responsibility to manage these competing tasks efficiently, while also staying calm and welcoming to the patrons.
Action: I first answered the phone and calmly asked the caller if they could hold for a few minutes, and they agreed. I told the student looking for the textbook that I could help them shortly and then began checking out books for the students in line, moving quickly but still politely. Once the line was clear, I found the missing textbook that had been misfiled on a nearby cart and gave it to the student. I was then able to return to the caller to help with their question and I thanked them for their patience.
Result: By maintaining my calm, I was able to stay organized and assist everyone efficiently. Each person left with what they needed and one of the students thanked me for being so helpful and composed when they could tell it was such a busy time. The situation made me more confident in my ability to work under pressure and provide a positive experience for patrons.
Why use the STAR Method?
Have you ever started sharing what you intended to be a brief story, only for it to turn into a lengthy narrative? This is precisely what you want to avoid during a job interview. You also want to avoid giving answers that are vague and lack sufficient detail. By utilizing the STAR Method to outline your stories, you can make them easier for interviewers to follow while providing enough depth to illustrate your experience.
Practice
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and nervous in a job interview, so the best way to make sure you leave a great impression is to practice your answers ahead of time. Research common behavioral questions and prepare your response using the STAR Method. We recommend writing your answer out on a piece of paper and editing as needed. Once you’re happy with the answer you’ve formed, say it out loud. Whether it’s to yourself or with someone in your life, practice speaking your answers. The more comfortable you become with your responses, the more confident you will be in the interview.
We hope you find the STAR Method helpful for organizing your thoughts and standing out as you seek your next library position!