Why STAR Answers Fail — And How to Fix Them

Even great candidates can lose out on interviews because their STAR answers miss the mark. If you've ever written a competency response and felt unsure whether it’s good enough — this one’s for you.

Here are the most common reasons STAR answers fail and exactly how to fix them.

1. The Situation Is Too Vague

What Goes Wrong

Some candidates skip the context. They dive into the task or action without explaining the team, setting, or challenge.

How to Fix It

Start with 2–3 sentences answering:

Example: “I was a customer support lead in a high-volume call centre during a system migration, managing a team of 10 agents.”

2. Weak or Generic Task Descriptions

What Goes Wrong

Saying “I had to complete a project” or “My task was to help” isn’t enough.

How to Fix It

State the exact goal. Be specific.

Example: “My objective was to reduce inbound call resolution time by 15% in four weeks.”

3. Not Enough Action

What Goes Wrong

This is the most important section, but many applicants rush it. They don’t explain what they did — they summarise what happened.

How to Fix It

Give detailed steps. Use bullet points if allowed. Show your decision-making, initiative, and collaboration.

✅ Good: “I redesigned the call script, ran a team workshop, and liaised with IT to fast-track system updates.” ❌ Bad: “We fixed the issue by working together.”

4. Missing or Weak Results

What Goes Wrong

Some STAR answers end without a result, or with vague outcomes like “It went well.”

How to Fix It

Highlight the measurable impact. Use KPIs, feedback, or even quotes.

Example: “Customer satisfaction scores improved from 3.8 to 4.6, and my team was nominated for a departmental award.”

5. Not Tailored to the Competency

What Goes Wrong

Many people write one STAR and try to use it for every competency.

How to Fix It

Reframe your story for the specific skill being assessed — whether it's Leadership, Communication, Teamwork, or Problem Solving.

Final Tip: STAR ≠ Storytime

This isn’t casual storytelling. It’s structured evidence. Be clear, be strategic, and focus on what the panel wants to see.

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Disclaimer

All examples in this blog are shortened for readability. Real STAR responses should be more detailed and matched to the exact job specification. ApplySmart.ie crafts high-impact answers that tick all the right boxes.