Recruiters use the STAR interview technique to see your ability to accomplish tasks related to the position. Behavior-based interview questions give interviewers an idea of how you'll react to certain situations, giving them a better idea of whether you'll be a good fit for the team.

STAR is an acronym that stands for situation, task, action, and result. STAR is the formula you follow to answer interview questions by telling a story displaying how you have achieved success. If you're wondering what success stories you should share, review the job posting to get inspiration.

5 Free STAR Method Templates

The STAR method templates help you organize your success story, so you know how to respond to behavioral questions in a job interview. Here are the top five free STAR method templates for success in your next interview:

1. SlidesGo STAR Method Templates

You can download the template on this site in Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint format. Each template design has the four elements of a STAR-based response: situation, task, action, and results.

You can choose the style you prefer and begin filling in your responses immediately since the templates are 100% editable, and you can make modifications easily. You can use the templates in Keynote, Google Slides, and Microsoft PowerPoint. The templates are suitable for any screen, with a 16:9 widescreen format. They come with instructions on how to customize and edit the templates.

2. SlideEgg Best STAR Method PowerPoint Templates

This is another website that offers a group of templates that are 100% editable, and you can have fun using beautiful and bold font types, colorful backgrounds, and nodes. The main objective of the templates the site offers is to help you organize the information you want to communicate in your responses using the STAR method. You have 14 templates to choose from.

3. Project Bliss STAR Method Template

The website offers a downloadable worksheet template to organize your responses to STAR method interview questions. The template provides suggestions to help you prepare your stories, so you're ready to show the interviewer you have the skills and experience they're looking for.

The creators of the template recommend that you write your stories and practice telling them, so your delivery appears natural during the interview.

4. Creately

The website offers templates to help you prepare and succeed in any interview. The creators of the templates created them to help you prepare and organize your responses to interview questions. Creately allows you to attach images, documents, and links to your file for easy reference.

You can save and share your template online to refer to the answers whenever necessary. Creately has integration with apps like Conference, Slack, and Google Workspace. You can export your file in SVG, PDF, JPEG, and PNG format to access it even if you don't have internet access.

5. Microsoft Office Star Template

Microsoft designed this template to help you display your experiences and skills while organizing your responses simply and effectively. The template recommends doing an internet search on interview questions related to the job you've applied for and using the template to develop your answers.

Tips to Prepare for a STAR Interview

When getting ready to use the STAR method to answer interview questions, there are some things to consider. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Have Situations Ready

Before you enter an interview, you want to be as prepared as possible. Refer to the job post you applied to and identify the skills the recruiter listed. After you have an idea of the skills and experience you need for the job, create a list of situations from your employment history that demonstrate your abilities and strengths to confirm what it takes to do the job.

If you're unsure what type of questions you should prepare for, you may want to learn the common job interview questions and how to answer them.

2. Provide Details

The STAR method looks for answers with details. Once you've identified the skills and experience the organization is looking for, you want to ensure the stories you share are targeted and specific.

Behavior-related questions aim for the interviewer to learn more about you and how you work. You should position your responses as success stories, even if that includes the lessons you learned from the experience.

3. Use Measurable Data

Potential employers appreciate numbers. As you prepare your STAR interview method responses, ensure you have tangible, solid results to back up your success stories. Did your work help increase sales? If so, mention how much. You should discuss how efficiency was measured if you helped introduce efficient practices.

4. Keep Your Response Brief

Target your stories and keep them short and sweet. Stay away from including irrelevant information. Brief responses can be more impactful, especially if you ensure you touch on each point in the STAR method.

You want to be sure you're answering the interviewer's question and not rehearsing a scenario you've prepared for or just sharing a funny story. Your response is an opportunity to share a success story. You may be interested in learning how to use Google's Interview Warmup to prepare for a job interview.

5. Be Honest

The stories you share using the STAR method should be 100% true. Embellishing a story may be fun at the bar, but in a job interview, it can make the interviewer question your credibility. Avoid stories that present you as the perfect employee surrounded by people that don't work as hard. After the interview, you may be curious to learn about the signs your interview went well.

6. Don't Be Afraid to Include Experiences That Aren't Work-Related

If you don't have a lot of professional work experience, you can use examples you gained from school group projects, internships, or volunteer work. The interviewer may ask you to share an example that isn't work-related. Keep in mind the obstacles and challenges you've conquered in your personal life. If your lack of experience makes you nervous, here are ways to get rid of anxiety before a job interview.

Prepare for Interview Success

Job interviews can be anxiety-inducing. One of the best ways to reduce interview anxiety is by preparing for the interview. The templates provided above are a great start to get you organized, so you can tell compelling success stories that show the interviewer you're the right candidate for the job.

Suppose you'd like to learn more about the STAR method and how you can leverage your responses to improve your chances of success. In that case, you can learn more about using the STAR method to make an excellent impression in your next behavior-based interview.