STAR Method Resume: Examples & Tips to Improve Your Resume

Some people have natural star appeal. It’s that spark that’s so hard to describe. And they always seem to get the best of everything—the best table at a restaurant, the best seat at a theater, and the best job offers.

You know what? You can be one of them just by creating a STAR method resume.

This guide will show you:

• STAR method resume example that’s better than 9 out of 10 other resumes out there.
• How to adapt the STAR method for resumes to sound more professional and convincing.
• Right and wrong STAR method resume examples to understand how theory turns into practice.

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Want to improve your resume? Check the guides below:

• How to Craft a Great Resume Job Description
• Use Bullet Points on a Resume This Way (Examples & Tips)
• Improve Your Resume Easily in 2024
• Check Your Resume: Resume Critique (+ Checklist)
• How to Re-Use Your Existing Resume
• Describe Leadership on a Resume Using These Tips
• Is a One-Page or a Two-Page Resume Better?
• Is Your Resume Successful? Check Now
• Don't Put These 3 Things on a Resume
• Which Contact Details Should Go on a Resume?

STAR Method Resume Example

Continue reading to learn how to create a STAR-method resume:

What Is the STAR Method?

The STAR method is a structured way of answering interview questions. By including the four elements—Situation, Task, Action, and Result—job candidates can recap situations from their previous jobs, such as a challenge they had to overcome or a problem they had to solve.

This method is widely used all over the world. It’s recommended by various academic institutions, including MIT's Career Services and Princeton University.

Surprised it’s got nothing to do with resume writing? Don’t worry—this method is easy to adapt to a variety of situations. Here, you’ll learn how to use it to describe your work achievements and other relevant accomplishments in your job application.

In your resume, the four elements of the STAR method should describe:

• Situation: your previous workplace, college, school, volunteering organization, or any other place you want to mention on your resume.
• Task: it can be a problem you had to solve, a work challenge you faced, or a project you completed.
• Action: this part tells how you managed to achieve your goal; for example, you’ve applied your collaboration skills, used specific software, or negotiated with someone.
• Result: the end goal and its value for the company, organization, group of people, and so on.

Continue reading to see why the STAR method resume can benefit you.

If you want to learn more about the STAR method and see how to use it for job interviews, check here: Using the STAR Technique in Interview Responses

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Is Using the STAR Method for Resumes Worth It?

That’s a legit question. And the answer is short: yes, it is. Using the STAR method in a resume will make your accomplishments shine. Think of it as a Webb telescope to look through at your actions.

Here are a bunch of reasons why you should create a STAR method resume:

• Highlights your worth: when you show examples of challenges you overcome, hiring managers see that you’re a valuable asset.
• Sounds more interesting: recruiters read thousands of resumes—the STAR method will help yours stand out.
• Illustrates your experience: it offers an opportunity to provide a bit of background for your achievements.
• Prepares you for the interview: once you get invited to the job interview, you can easily use parts of your STAR method resume to answer behavioral interview questions.

See? All pros, no cons here. Exactly like in the old Star Wars movies.

Now it’s time to see what you need to do to adapt the STAR method for resume writing.

If writing isn’t your strongest skill, you might consider professional resume writing services. But do you know their pros and cons? Learn here: Are Resume Writing Services Worth It?

How Can You Apply the STAR Method to Your Resume?

You’ll be happy to know that the STAR method can fit any resume format. You can use it for various resume sections, including work experience, skill summary (on a functional resume), resume summary, education section, or additional resume parts such as volunteering experience.

Here’s how to use the STAR method on your resume:

• Think of relevant accomplishments from previous jobs, school, or other experiences.
• Describe this accomplishment, including the four elements of the STAR method: situation, task, action, and result.
• Re-read your description and try to condense it into one sentence.
• Add it as a bullet point to your resume.

Sounds cryptic? Check the example below—it deserves its own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame:

STAR Method Resume Example: Resume Summary

The final sentence of this resume summary uses the STAR method. Let’s analyze it:

• Situation: Working in software development.
• Task: Creating a virtual museum app.
• Action: Leading a cross-functional team to design and build the app.
• Result: The app was successfully created and won an award.

Let’s check other examples:

STAR Method Resume Example: Work Experience

It sounds sooo much better than just stating, “I worked in software development.”

I hope these examples can inspire you to put a spark on your own resume. Once you write the contents, just paste them onto a great resume template and shoot for the stars!

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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Key Takeaways

Let’s briefly recap how you can apply the STAR method to your resume:

• Choose relevant achievements from your experience.
• Describe these achievements, including the four elements of the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
• Edit your descriptions to condense them into single sentences that can be added to your resume as bullet points.

Thank you for reading this article! Please share your thoughts:

• Do you use the STAR method in job interviews?
• Have you tried writing a STAR method resume?
• Do you have any special tricks to make your resume stand out?

Let me know in the comments below!

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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• https://capd.mit.edu/resources/the-star-method-for-behavioral-interviews/
• https://careerdevelopment.princeton.edu/sites/g/files/toruqf1041/files/media/interview_guide_5.pdf