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STAR Method for CV Writing

by | Aug 21, 2023 | CV Writing Tips, Resume Writing

The STAR method is a CV writing technique that can help you highlight your skills and experience in a clear, concise, and persuasive way.

STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

SITUATION: Talk about the situation or challenge you came across. It could be a particular project, a solved issue, or an accomplished goal.

TASK: Explain the task or responsibility assigned to you, whether it was a set of duties, a project goal, or a problem to be solved.

ACTION: Describe the actions that you took to address the situation or complete the task. This is where you should highlight your skills and experience.

RESULT: Outline the effect of your actions, which could be a specific outcome, a quantifiable improvement, or a positive impact on the organisation.

When using the STAR method, it is important to be specific and to use action verbs. You should also quantify your results whenever possible. This will help to make your CV more persuasive and to demonstrate your value to potential employers.

Here is an example of a STAR method CV bullet point:

  • Situation: Led a team of 10 engineers in developing a new product that saved the company £1 million.
  • Task: Managed the project from start to finish, including defining requirements, designing the product, and overseeing testing.
  • Action: Identified and solved several technical challenges that could have delayed the project.
  • Result: The product was launched on time and within budget, and it exceeded sales expectations.

Bring it together:

  • Led a team of 10 engineers in developing a new product that saved the company £1 million and exceeded sales expectations. Managed project from inception to launch, including requirements definition, design, and testing. Overcame technical challenges to ensure the product was launched on time and within budget.

The STAR method is a powerful tool to help you write an effective and persuasive CV.

Here are some additional tips for using the STAR method on your CV:

  • Use strong action verbs to describe your actions.
  • Quantify your results whenever possible.
  • Be specific and to the point.
  • Tailor your CV to the specific job that you are applying for.

By following these steps, you can highlight your skills and experience to impress potential employers.

Written by Debra Mills, a seasoned CV writer with over a decade of experience in crafting CVs and LinkedIn profiles. Debra and her network of trusted colleagues have helped thousands of jobseekers across diverse fields to achieve their career goals through compelling and strategic CVs.
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