Houston Community College STAR Model and Resiliency Discussion
1. Reflect on what you’ve learned in regards to requesting or needing a recommendation or the use of the term Resiliency
Resiliency is key and most of us in this program are very familiar with it. Our paths here were different and some longer. Strength in sticking to our path and overcoming obstacles and challenges in our way. Putting them in perspective allows them to be specific, measurable, acheivable (smart goals). There always will be challenges in life, how you deal with them defines you. Staying focused, remain professional, and do whatever it takes to be successful. I have made many sacrifices, dealt with challenges to get to this point. If I had not shown resiliency, remained calm, and focused on the end result, I wouldn’t be here. Staying positive, working with others in the cohort has helped as well, we are in this together and I want everyone to be successful. This is a stepping stone to the bigger picture we are going to achieve. Keeping this experience and the ability to overcome adversities is part of the life experience.
Reflect on your use of the STAR Model to tell your story when interviewing
The STAR model is helpful in formulating a response to competency-focused questions, such as one that start with “share an example of a situation where…” “Describe a time when…” Using this method I will be better prepared to answer questions in a logical, flowable format.
First, I’ll need to listen to the question and think of an event, then describe the event or situation that I was in, explain the task I had to complete, the actions, the specific actions, I took to complete the task, and finally the results of my efforts. Past performance can be a good predictor of the future, questions are asked to determine whether or not I have the skills and experience required to excel. I plan on integrating this method and use a list of qualifications, examples, and make sure my skills match the job. The end result should be a successful interview and a job offer!
2. To have a recommendation letter is a very beneficial part of the resume as it provides details regarding your positive attributes, performance, and leadership skills. In other words, it confirms your performance in your previous employment(s) your character traits, and your skills to be a leader. From the video regarding recommendations, I learned that the length of the letter is not important. What is important is the content of the letter itself. The recommendation letter has to be straight to the point describing not any skills and qualities but the ones that will make a person successful related to the desired job position. In addition, I have never thought that how I handle work challenges is information that should be included in a reference letter. Simply, I never found it important that the ability to find a solution for a unique situation is important. I always thought that it is required from you to solve whatever issue you may encounter at work.
The STAR model is an abbreviation of situation, time, actions, and results. Using the STAR method in an interview makes you more focused on your thoughts by avoiding distractions or adding irrelevant information. As a person who easily gets distracted, I find the STAR method very useful. It would help me to share just enough to make the interview successful avoiding confusion of the interviewer or giving an impression that I cannot perform the job I am applying to because I cannot prioritize my tasks. In addition, using the STAR method will make me a stronger candidate who knows how to express himself instead of an inexperienced candidate unknowing what is pertinent information.
