How Long Should a STAR Competency Answer Be?

It’s one of the most common questions we get at ApplySmart.ie — how long is “too long” or “too short” when it comes to STAR answers in Irish public job applications?

Let’s break it down by what real public sector recruiters expect, and what the sweet spot really looks like.

HSE, Civil Service & Local Authorities Want Depth

Most competency-based application forms (especially from PublicJobs.ie or HSE.ie) will either:

If it’s a textbox: use most of the space. If it’s an upload: use ¾ to 1 full page per competency.

What Does That Look Like in Practice?

Let’s break it down by section:

Situation (S) – 3 to 5 sentences

Give just enough context for the reader to understand the setting, team, and any relevant policies/processes involved.

Task (T) – 2 to 3 sentences

State your objective. What was your responsibility, challenge, or goal?

Action (A) – 6 to 12 sentences

This is the core of the answer. Go into detail. Bullet points can work here if allowed. Show initiative, problem-solving, leadership, etc.

Result (R) – 3 to 5 sentences

Explain the impact clearly — what changed, improved, or was achieved? Use figures or quotes if possible.

Total Word Count = 350–550 Words

That’s typically the sweet spot. You don’t need to write a novel, but if you’re under 300 words, you’re likely missing something important.

Why Longer ≠ Better (But Shorter Can Hurt You)

More words aren’t always better — waffle, repetition, or vagueness will hurt your score. But concise, detailed STAR answers are consistently higher scoring than vague, brief ones.

Want Us to Do It For You?

We write STAR answers every day for Irish public jobs. You provide your experience, we’ll turn it into a structured, tailored response that gets attention.

€100 flat – no hidden fees

👉 Start your application now

Disclaimer

The above examples are shortened for blog readability. Your final STAR should be longer and formatted for the job spec. ApplySmart.ie ensures everything aligns perfectly.