If you are applying for a job in the UK Civil Service or NICS, you will hear one acronym constantly: STAR.
It stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. It sounds simple, but 80% of candidates fail the sift because they get the balance wrong.
The Golden Ratio
Most people spend 50% of their word count setting the scene. This is a mistake. The panel doesn't care about the history of your project; they care about what you did.
Here is the ideal breakdown for a 250-word answer:
- Situation (10%): One sentence context.
- Task (10%): What was the goal?
- Action (60%): What did YOU do? (The most important part).
- Result (20%): The outcome, with numbers if possible.
Scan your draft. If you see the word "We" more than the word "I", you will likely fail. The Civil Service recruits individuals, not teams. Change "We decided" to "I recommended...".
Common Mistakes by Grade
EO/HEO Level: Failing to show initiative. Don't say "I was asked to." Say "I identified a problem and proposed..."
Grade 7/6 Level: Being too operational. Don't list the meetings you attended. Explain the strategic reason for your decisions and how you managed risk.
How to Fix Your Draft
If you are struggling to fit your story into this structure, try writing bullet points under the four headings first. Then, weave them together.
Alternatively, you can use our AI tool to do it for you.