The Prep Matters: Get Your STAR Stories Ready

I still remember my first interview that was made up entirely of behavioral questions. Every single one began with, “Tell me about a time when…” I thought I was ready — but quickly realized how essential it is to have a set of well-crafted stories at hand.

Over the years, as both an interviewer and a coach, I’ve seen the difference between candidates who prepare and those who don’t. STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) isn’t just a formula — it’s a way to communicate with laser focus:

• What you did.

• How you did it.

• What the results were.

STAR stories aren’t about how you “might” handle something in the future. They’re proof points — concrete demonstrations of how you’ve actually shown up. And they do more than summarize your résumé:

• They show how you communicate. Can you tell a story clearly and concisely, without losing your audience?

• They reveal self-awareness. Do you understand the role you played, the choices you made, and how you contributed?

• They connect actions to outcomes. Can you draw the line between what you did and the results you achieved?

• They invite reflection. What did you learn? How did you grow?

When you prepare 6–8 STAR stories, you give yourself an incredible advantage. You don’t have to mentally scramble for examples in the moment. Instead, you show up with:

• Confidence under pressure.

• Clear, concise stories that land.

• More energy for building rapport with your interviewer.

• Flexibility to adapt your stories to fit any question.

Interviewing is a learned skill. No one is born great at it — it takes planning and practice. Preparing STAR stories is part of that practice. Each time you refine a story, you’re not just rehearsing for one question — you’re building your ability to communicate clearly, connect authentically, and show how you think and act under pressure.

The bottom line: Interviews are two-way streets. Both you and your interviewer are asking, “what would it be like to work together?” When you invest the time to prepare thoughtful interview stories — and treat interviewing as a skill to practice — you’re not just rehearsing answers. You’re curating evidence of your impact, and building the confidence to show up as your best self.

I’ve noticed that for many of my clients, prepping for behavioral questions feels like a heavy lift. It’s not the way most people naturally think about interview questions. At first it can feel forced, even a little scary: “Do I really have a situation where I demonstrated resilience, led a team, navigated conflict, adapted on the fly, or made a tough recommendation?” But leaning into this kind of preparation not only sets you up for success — it also helps you stand out and differentiate yourself with interviewers.