STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. For any behavioral question, set the scene, say what you needed to do, explain what YOU did, and finish with the outcome. Prepare three or four stories and you can answer almost anything.
STAR, broken down
- Situation — briefly, what was going on?
- Task — what was your responsibility or goal?
- Action — what did you actually do? (Spend most of your time here.)
- Result — how did it turn out? Use a number if you can.
Questions you'll almost always get
- Tell me about yourself. (Keep it to a 60-second present–past–future arc.)
- Tell me about a time you faced a challenge.
- Tell me about a time you worked on a team.
- What's a weakness — and how are you working on it?
- Why do you want this job?
Your stories don't have to come from a job. School projects, sports, volunteering, and side hustles all work — what matters is showing how you think and act.
When you get a tough question, it's fine to take two seconds before answering. A short, calm pause reads as thoughtful — far better than rushing into a ramble.
Don't forget: interviews go both ways. Read 'Questions YOU should ask' before you go in.
Get your DadgreeCommon questions
How do I answer 'what's your weakness'?
Name a real but non-fatal one and, more importantly, what you're doing about it. Self-awareness is the thing they're testing.
What should I wear?
One notch above the company's everyday dress. When unsure, clean and slightly dressy beats too casual.
How early should I arrive?
Five to ten minutes. Earlier than that can put pressure on your interviewer.