You may have heard of the “STAR method” in terms of resume preparation, but is is also a valuable tool for creating your resume.
In case you are not familiar, it stands for:
S: situation
T: task
A: action
R: result
Situation: Simply put, what is the problem you were solving? This could be why you were hired overall, or it could be a specific project you worked on.
Task: What is the plan you developed and implemented to solve the problem?
Action: What were the tools/methodologies you employed. This can include software packages, ways of working for your industry.
Results: What was/were the end results? This is where you want to use metrics like $, #, %.
You don’t need to necessarily use STAR in that order. An example for a recruiter might look like this: “Hired a team of 8 configuration engineers in 12 weeks to work on a 3rd party ERP integration. Created an enhanced employee referral program with budget approval for enhanced bonuses that increased our qualified ER submittal rate by 32%; ran a targeted social media campaign in collaboration with marketing that generated 135 applications in 2 weeks.”
For a HS English teacher: “High school English teacher, including 3 AP courses. Average class size is annually between 27-35 students in the second largest school district in the state. Our school has a 96% graduation rate, with 89% of graduates going to college. AP students have a 98% college acceptance rate. Developed a unique peer-mentoring program that increased standardized reading comprehension test scores by 21% the first year implemented.”
Another advantage of using the STAR method on your resume is how it helps you prepare for behavioral based interviewing.
Your resume should not read like a list of tasks; you need to demonstrate the value you bring to a prospective employer. Understanding how to show that value is critical for job seekers.
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