After being out of work 11 years, I find it really to tough to try and remember work stories by answering with the STAR method during job interviews.

9 Comments

1. Tasha L. SimmonsApril 19,2022 at 12:32AM UTC

   Just answer the questions honestly, try not to answer focus on the STAR format. Indeed some times has interview questions depending on the questions.

   You can also do a mock interview

   Skillup on Instagram offer free interviews techniques webinars monthly

2. AnonymousApril 19,2022 at 1:47AM UTC

   What is the STAR method?

   are you interviewing for particular positions?

   11 Years is a long time to be out of work. Try applying for places that aren’t concerned about work history. It maybe a low level position but, you’ll start to have work stories to tell on future interviews and working may help you recall some old work stories.

3. Angie CallenApril 19,2022 at 2:10AM UTC

   I typically recommend my clients focus on building a bank of stories that you generally know how to tell in the STAR format but can manipulate to meet the specific question asked.

   There are a million behavioral questions out there, and if you try to memorize your exact answer for every one you'll lose it. If you have 6 or so "good" stories and 4-ish "bad" stories prepared, you can typically shift them to meet the exact question asked.

   There are some great resources out there to help trigger your memory to develop stories around commonly asked STAR questions or the general scenarios they want to evaluate. Google "popular behavioral interview questions" if you need some help thinking of stories based on the types/categories.

   Here are a few I have clients focus on:

   Good stories can be:

   • Overcame a challenge
   • Led a team/project
   • Achieved a goal

   And bad ones are things like:

   • A time you failed
   • Dealt with someone who communicates differently than you (client or colleague)
   • Missed a deadline.

   This just made me realize I need to write a blog post on this for my site!

   Good luck!

4. Janel BrehmeApril 19,2022 at 6:06AM UTC

   Thank you so much, Angie…this is super helpful. I have a host of stories outlined and can defer to them, for sure. But as you suggest it may be best to narrow them down to the best and most pertinent. Interestingly enough my recent interview at LinkedIn. hiring manager asked behavioral questions such as “how do you research questions before a client meeting” and “how do you create a sense of urgency to encourage customers to act on purchase” and I gave a weak answer. These questions aren’t so much STAR related but more about how you’d approach a scenario. All fair. I am just rusty in the sense it’s been so long…. I have another interview with LinkedIn this week…hopefully I will do better and I will practice these types of questions.

5. AnonymousApril 19,2022 at 1:38PM UTC

   Make notes before you go out on your interview. Its just to jog your memory of "tell me a time when" questions come up. Its always appropriate to take notes and to have notes with you. I prefer it to someone who is just listening.

   Jot down a few key words that will prompt the stories of your career, times you had tough customers, too much to do, a conflict. Once the question is asked, look at the list and see which situation may be a good example, then tell the story. Be specific. The winning answer has details and speaks of a specific time, not in general.

   What happened, how you handled it and what was the out come. And, remember, its fine if the outcome was the desired as long as you can say, "and I'll never do that again".

6. Christine JacquesApril 19,2022 at 2:10PM UTC

   I luckily kept copies of some of my evaluations, and they helped me remember where and when I provided value to the company. Taking with friends has been helpful too.

7. Twannetta WeaverApril 20,2022 at 1:00AM UTC

   Search for roles that you worked in the past of similar responsibilities. See if those responsibilities jog your memory about a time or place in your working career that you could draw a star answer from. ?

8. Erin BeemerApril 20,2022 at 1:18PM UTC

   I spend time preparing before the interview by writing out my stories. I prepare stories for different types of situations and by running through different situations it tends to jog my memory. Having been out of work for a while makes it more challenging but if you review typical types of scenarios when there is no pressure, it may help you recall.

9. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachApril 20,2022 at 8:03PM UTC

   come up with 3-4 that demonstrate common topics like...
   problem solving, collaborating, taking initiative, creating something new... that way you know them backwards and forwards and can use them in multiple interviews using the STAR method instead of trying to rack your brain each time!