STAR Method – Guidance on completing job application form

Please take great care in completing the application form, the panel’s decision to shortlist you for interview will be based entirely on the information you provide.

Before you start your application

• All our posts have a job description. Make sure you refer to it before you complete the application form.
• We welcome applications in Welsh and English, applications made in Welsh will be treated no less favourably than applications made in English.
• Unless you show clearly in your application how you meet all the job specific responsibilities listed, you may not be short-listed.
• If there is not enough space on the application form for you to enter your information, please continue on a separate sheet clearly indicating the part of the form that the information relates to. 
• All information provided by you will be kept strictly confidential.

Post applied for 

Please state clearly on the application form the title and post number of the job for which you are applying, details can be found on the job advert. If this is not stated your application may not be considered.  

Meeting our requirements

Use the STAR method to plan your answers to interview questions and to show your skills and experience on a CV or application form.

What STAR stands for

• situation - the situation you had to deal with
• task - the task you were given to do
• action - the action you took
• result - what happened as a result of your action and what you learned from the experience

How to use STAR

You can use the STAR method to structure the examples you give to questions, especially in interviews. You can use it to highlight particular skills and qualities you have that the employer is looking for.

When using STAR, remember:

• you can use examples from work, home or volunteering
• keep examples short and to the point
• try to get your points across in a conversational way so as not to appear too rehearsed
• be prepared to answer follow-up questions about the examples you give

Example 1

Tell me about a time when you have shown leadership skills.

Situation - in my previous digital marketing job, the company wanted to get more people to sign up to a newsletter which was not receiving a lot of attention.

Task - my job was to find a way of getting more people to sign up.

Action - I organised a meeting with other important members of the marketing team to come up with creative ideas, and I led the social media campaign to generate interest in the revamped newsletter.

Result - over a period of 3 months, there was an 25% increase in sign-ups to the newsletter and the approach I took was used by the management team in other departments.

Example 2

Give me an example of when you faced a problem at work. How did you handle it?

Situation - I was working in a florist shop with the manager and we were arranging an order of flowers for 2 weddings. The manager, who had taken the order, had mixed up the customers’ addresses and the flowers were delivered to the wrong venues.

Task - I had to get the flowers to the right place and apologise to the customers.

Action - I told my boss that I would deal with the mistake, leaving her to take care of the shop. I spoke to both customers on the telephone to explain, and reassured them that we would put things right straight away. I drove to both venues, swapped the flowers in time and apologised in person. I gave both customers a voucher for a bouquet as compensation.

Result - the customers were grateful that we had acted quickly. Later on, they both came back to the shop to spend their vouchers and have since recommended us to their friends.

Driving Licence 

The possession of a full current UK/EU car driving licence is often a requirement for most NRW jobs. You will need to show your licence if you come for an interview. 

Communication skills in English and Welsh 

As a bilingual organisation we use both Welsh and English in our work. We are committed to providing a bilingual service in Welsh and English to the public. There are some jobs for which bilingual ability is essential, depending on the location and amount of contact with the public. The Job Summary will tell you the language requirement of the post you are applying for. 

Preferred language for interview 

As a bilingual organisation we use both Welsh and English in our work 

If you opt to be interviewed in Welsh, we will provide a bilingual interview panel. Part of the interview will be held in English so we can test your spoken English. 

If you opt to be interviewed in English for a post where Welsh language skills is essential, part of the interview will be in Welsh so we can test your spoken Welsh. 

Disability

Under the Equality Act 2010 we strive to make reasonable adjustments where a disabled person is substantially disadvantaged by either the working arrangements or the working environment. 

The responsibility to make reasonable adjustments will not apply unless we know that you have a disability. This is the section where you can let us know.

Disability Confident Employer Symbol

By using this symbol we have agreed that we will:

• interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy

Use this section if you wish to apply under this scheme. You are guaranteed an interview if you meet the minimum criteria agreed by the panel prior to the short listing.

How to return your application form

Please return or e-mail your completed application form to applications@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk by the specified closing date, quoting the post number as a reference.

Acknowledgement of applications

We do not normally acknowledge receipt of applications, but you are welcome to phone the contact name on the Job Summary to check receipt of your application form beforehand if you are concerned.

Timescale for recruitment

We will notify all candidates short-listed for interview. This normally happens between one and four weeks after the closing date. If there are a large number of candidates for a job who score highly, you may not be called for interview even if you have demonstrated all the competencies on your application form.

Contact us

If you have any queries regarding your application or the recruitment process, please contact the recruitment team:

email: recruitment@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk 

Post: Recruitment, Natural Resources Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Ffordd Penrhos, Bangor, LL57 2DW