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Partnering with SME companies throughout East Anglia, Michelle Denny Recruitment is a recruitment agency which specialises in personalised recruitment consultancy services in Norfolk and Suffolk to help you discover that elusive new member of staff at a budget that suits you.

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With different campaign options to meet your requirements and innovative marketing strategies to captivate worthy candidates, we'll present you with a refreshing, no-fuss approach to recruitment. Whether you need a comprehensive recruitment drive with full support, or a simple campaign to find you candidates to review in-house, we'll work with you as an extension of your team, to understand your business and the people within it. 

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We'll introduce you to companies with job opportunities across Norfolk, Suffolk and beyond that share your values and understand your career aspirations so you can feel confident in your job search. With guidance, support, constructive feedback and consistent communication as standard throughout our approach, Michelle Denny Recruitment Consultancy looks beyond your CV to discover what makes you, you!

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With a clear direction, straightforward application process and ongoing recommendations, we’ll provide you with the ultimate match-making service to help you find the right job, in the right company, with the right team. Learn more, view our current vacancies and upload your CV to register for upcoming roles too.

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The STAR Method: Your Secret Weapon for Interview Success

  • Michelle Denny
  • Jun 25
  • 3 min read

Part of the 'Career Planning & Job Search Strategy' series from Michelle Denny Recruitment


Whether you’re starting out in your career or building your next chapter, interviews can be daunting, especially when you’re asked to give examples on the spot. That’s where the STAR method comes in.


It’s not a gimmick or a script, it’s a framework that helps you communicate your experience with clarity, structure and impact.


In this blog, we’ll walk you through what the STAR method is, how to use it well (without sounding robotic), and why it’s a tool worth mastering, no matter your level.



So what is the STAR Method?


STAR stands for:


  • Situation – the context or background

  • Task – what needed to be done

  • Action – what you did specifically

  • Result – what happened as a result of your actions


It’s designed to help you answer competency-based questions, the kind that start with,

“Tell me about a time when…” or “Give an example of how you…”


These questions are standard in most interviews now, because they give hiring managers insight into how you behave, not just what you know. STAR helps you respond in a way that’s focused, relevant and persuasive, without rambling or underselling yourself.


Why it works


Used well, the STAR method:


  • Shows you understand the question and can stay on point

  • Highlights your practical experience without waffle

  • Demonstrates self-awareness and results

  • Makes it easier for the interviewer to follow your story and make a fair judgment


It’s not about telling the most dramatic story, it’s about telling the right one, the most appropriate one well.


Using STAR in a grounded, human way


The key to using STAR effectively is preparation, but not over-rehearsal. You don’t want to sound like you’ve memorised a script. Instead, think of it as a map. You still drive the route, but STAR keeps you heading in the right direction.


Here’s how to prepare:


  • Look at the job description. What behaviours, skills or traits are they looking for?

  • Think of examples from your own experience (work, voluntary, academic, personal) that show those traits in action.

  • Jot down your STAR responses -a few bullet points per example. Keep it natural, but clear.


A few practical tips


  • Keep your Situation and Task short. Don’t get bogged down in backstory.

  • Focus your energy on the Action - what you did, not just what the team did.

  • Be honest about the Result. If it didn’t go perfectly, that’s fine - just show what you learned or would do differently.


Remember: employers aren’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for clarity, maturity, and people who reflect on their actions with purpose.


Don’t overuse it


Not every question needs a STAR answer. If the interviewer asks something more open or conversational, let it flow. But when you’re asked for an example, STAR is a reliable, professional way to show what you’re capable of.


And if you get stuck in the moment, just remember:


  • What was going on? (Situation)

  • What was needed? (Task)

  • What did you do? (Action)

  • What happened as a result? (Result)


That’s all there is to it.


At Michelle Denny Recruitment Consultancy, we don’t just send CVs and hope for the best. We work closely with our candidates to prepare you for each stage - with honest feedback, practical tools, and a genuine understanding of what our clients are really looking for.


📩 Stay in the loop


Follow our 'Career Planning & Job Search Strategy' series for more grounded advice - and if you're looking for your next role, get in touch.

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