My STAR Method Story Builder

Name: _________________________

The STAR method helps you tell a complete story about your experiences in an interview. Remember: Situation, Task, Action, Result!

Behavioral Question Focus:

(Your teacher will give you a question, or you can pick one from the cards!)

1. S - Situation: Set the Scene (What was the background or context?)

Think about: Where were you? When did it happen? What was the general problem or goal?

2. T - Task: What was the Goal? (What needed to be done?)

Think about: What was your specific responsibility or objective in that situation?

3. A - Action: What YOU Did (What steps did you take?)

Think about: What specific actions did you personally take to address the task? Use "I" statements. (e.g., "I organized...", "I communicated...")

4. R - Result: What Happened Because of YOU (What was the outcome?)

Think about: What was the positive result of your actions? What did you learn? How did it benefit others?

My Favorite STAR Story (Practice Question):

(Use the space below to practice another question, or refine your first answer!)

Question: ____________________________________________________________________

Mock Interview Question Cards

Instructions for Teachers: Print these cards and cut them out. Students can pick a card and practice answering the question using the STAR method.

Card 1

Tell me about a time you had to work with someone you didn't get along with. How did you handle it?

Card 2

Describe a time you made a mistake. What did you learn from it?

Card 3

Give an example of a time you had to solve a problem. What steps did you take?

Card 4

Tell me about a time you had to meet a tight deadline. How did you manage your time?

Card 5

Describe a situation where you had to learn something new quickly. How did you approach it?

Card 6

Give an example of a time you demonstrated leadership skills.

Card 7

Tell me about a goal you set for yourself and how you achieved it.

Card 8

Describe a time you had to persuade someone to see your point of view.

Card 9

Tell me about a time you helped someone. What was the outcome?

Card 10

Describe a situation where you had to deal with an unexpected challenge. How did you react?

Card 11

Tell me about a time you received constructive criticism. How did you respond?

Card 12

Give an example of a time you went above and beyond what was expected of you.

Interview Hot Seat Game!

Objective: Practice answering interview questions using the STAR method in a fun, supportive environment.

Players: 3+ students per group (or whole class participation)

Materials:

• Mock Interview Question Cards
• A designated "Hot Seat" (can be a chair at the front of the room)

How to Play:

1. Set Up: Gather your group. One student will sit in the "Hot Seat" at a time.

2. Draw a Question: Another student in the group (or the teacher) will draw a card from the Mock Interview Question Cards and read the question aloud to the student in the "Hot Seat."

3. STAR Response: The student in the "Hot Seat" must answer the question using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). They should try to provide a clear, concise, and complete story.

4. Feedback (Optional but Recommended!): After the "Hot Seat" student answers, the other group members (or classmates) can offer constructive feedback.

   • What went well? (e.g., "I liked how you clearly explained the 'Situation'." "You made good eye contact!")
   • Suggestions for Improvement: (e.g., "Maybe you could add more detail to your 'Action' steps." "Try to elaborate a bit more on the 'Result'.")

5. Rotate: After one round, a new student takes the "Hot Seat" and the game continues.

Tips for the "Hot Seat" Student:

• Take a deep breath!
• Think for a moment before you speak.
• Remember S-T-A-R!
• Speak clearly and confidently.
• Make eye contact.
• It's okay to make mistakes; this is practice!

Tips for Giving Feedback:

• Be supportive and kind.
• Start with something positive.
• Offer specific suggestions, not just "good" or "bad."
• Focus on the STAR method and communication skills.

Teacher Script: Ace the Interview!

Welcome & Introduce: Why Interviews Matter (5 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to dive into a super important skill that will help you in countless ways, both now and in the future: interviewing!"

"Think about it – whether you're applying for high school, a summer job, a leadership position in a club, or even just trying to convince your parents why you deserve something, you're essentially in an interview. It's about presenting your best self and showing what you can do."

"On the screen, you can see some reasons why these skills are so important. Can anyone share a time they've had to 'interview' for something, even if it wasn't a formal job interview? Or, what do you think makes someone really good at an interview?"

(Listen to a few student responses. Encourage participation.)

"Great ideas! We're going to learn a fantastic tool today that will help you feel much more confident in any situation where you need to talk about your experiences and skills."

Deconstruct the STAR Method (15 minutes)

"This powerful tool is called the STAR Method. It's a way to tell a complete, clear story about your experiences, especially when an interviewer asks you a 'behavioral question' – those questions that start with 'Tell me about a time when...' or 'Describe a situation where...'."

(Advance to Slide 3: The STAR Method)

"STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Let's break down each part."

(Advance to Slide 4: S is for Situation)

"S is for Situation. This is where you set the scene. You describe the background or context of your story. Think about: What was happening? Where were you? When did it happen?"

Example: "Last year, our 8th-grade class was organizing the annual school fundraiser, and we needed to sell 200 tickets to reach our goal."

"See? It's just enough information to understand the context."

(Advance to Slide 5: T is for Task)

"Next, T is for Task. This is where you explain your specific role or responsibility in that situation. What was the goal? What needed to be done?"

Example, building on the fundraiser: "My task was to design the promotional flyers and make sure all students knew about the event and where to buy tickets."

"This tells them what you were supposed to achieve."

(Advance to Slide 6: A is for Action)

"Now, for the most important part: A is for Action. These are the specific steps you took to complete your task. This is where you use 'I' statements and focus on your contributions. Don't say 'we did,' say 'I did.'"

Example: "I researched different flyer designs online, used a graphic design tool to create an eye-catching design, and then personally distributed over 100 flyers to classrooms and community centers. I also created a daily announcement script for the morning news to remind students."

"This shows your effort and initiative."

(Advance to Slide 7: R is for Result)

"Finally, R is for Result. This is the outcome of your actions. What happened because of what you did? What did you learn? How did it benefit others or the situation? Always try to include a positive outcome or a lesson learned."

Example: "As a result of my efforts, ticket sales increased by 30% in the last week, and we not only met our goal but exceeded it, raising enough money for new playground equipment. I learned how important clear communication is for an event's success."

"Putting it all together, you have a clear, powerful story!"

(Advance to Slide 8: Let's Practice: Teamwork!)

"Let's try one together. Imagine an interviewer asks: 'Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team.' How might we use the STAR Method to answer that? Think about a time you collaborated with others."

(Give students a moment to think. Call on a few students to share ideas for S, T, A, and R for this question.)

"Fantastic! Now, I'm going to give you a worksheet called My STAR Method Story Builder. This will help you brainstorm your own stories. You'll pick a question, or use the one on the board, and start filling out each section."

(Distribute My STAR Method Story Builder worksheets.)

"I want you to think about experiences from school projects, sports teams, club activities, or even helping at home. What skills did you use? Teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, creativity? This worksheet will guide you."

Practice & Brainstorm (15 minutes)

"Now, in your small groups, continue working on your My STAR Method Story Builder worksheets. Don't worry about perfect sentences yet, just get your ideas down for S, T, A, and R."

"Once you've got a good start on a story, you can use the Mock Interview Question Cards that I'll hand out. Take turns with your group members. One person draws a card and asks the question, and another person tries to answer using their STAR story or by thinking of a new one. Give each other constructive feedback!"

(Circulate, assist students with brainstorming, and offer guidance on applying the STAR method. Encourage positive and helpful peer feedback.)

Mock Interviews & Feedback / Interview Hot Seat Game (10 minutes)

(Bring the class back together.)

"Alright everyone, let's bring it back! You've had some great practice brainstorming and sharing your STAR stories. Now, for the grand finale!"

"We have two options for our final activity today to really put your skills to the test: we can do a few volunteer mock interviews at the front of the class, or we can play an 'Interview Hot Seat Game'. Both will give you a chance to practice and get feedback."

"Who would like to volunteer for a quick mock interview, or who wants to explain how they think the 'Hot Seat' game might work, based on its name?"

(Choose either Option 1 or Option 2 based on class engagement and time. If playing the game, refer to the Interview Hot Seat Game rules.)

"Fantastic effort, everyone! Remember, like any skill, interviewing gets easier with practice. The STAR method is your secret weapon for telling clear, impactful stories about yourself."

(Transition to Interview Reflection Cool Down.)

"Before you go, please take a moment to complete this quick Interview Reflection Cool Down."

Interview Brain Dump

Name: _________________________

Instructions: Take 2-3 minutes to quickly write down everything that comes to mind when you hear the word "interview." Don't worry about complete sentences, just jot down your thoughts, feelings, or ideas!

Bonus Question: What is one thing you hope to learn about interviews today?

Interview Reflection Cool Down

Name: _________________________

Instructions: Please answer the following questions to reflect on today's lesson.

1. What is the STAR method, and what does each letter stand for?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Why is the STAR method helpful when answering interview questions?
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Think about one thing you learned or practiced today that makes you feel more confident about future interviews.