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STAR Method Examples for EY Apprenticeship Interviews
EY uses competency-based interviewing throughout its school leaver application process. Every stage — from the video interview to the assessment centre — requires you to give structured examples using the STAR method.
The STAR Framework
S — Situation: Set the scene briefly (1–2 sentences). Enough context, no more.
T — Task: What was your specific responsibility? What was expected of you?
A — Action: What YOU did — not "we". Be specific. This is 60% of the answer.
R — Result: Quantify if possible. What changed? What did you learn?
STAR Examples for EY Competencies
Integrity
S: Describe a specific context where integrity was required.
T: What was your specific role or responsibility in this situation?
A: List the specific steps you took — use “I” throughout. What did you decide? What did you do first?
R: What was the outcome? Quantify if possible. What would you do differently?
Respect
S: Describe a specific context where respect was required.
T: What was your specific role or responsibility in this situation?
A: List the specific steps you took — use “I” throughout. What did you decide? What did you do first?
R: What was the outcome? Quantify if possible. What would you do differently?
Teaming
S: Describe a specific context where teaming was required.
T: What was your specific role or responsibility in this situation?
A: List the specific steps you took — use “I” throughout. What did you decide? What did you do first?
R: What was the outcome? Quantify if possible. What would you do differently?
Inclusiveness
S: Describe a specific context where inclusiveness was required.
T: What was your specific role or responsibility in this situation?
A: List the specific steps you took — use “I” throughout. What did you decide? What did you do first?
R: What was the outcome? Quantify if possible. What would you do differently?
Where to Find Strong Examples
You don't need dramatic stories. EYinterviewers know you're a school leaver. They're looking for genuine reflection, not corporate experience.
- Part-time or Saturday jobs — customer complaints, working under pressure, managing a task independently
- School — group projects, leading a presentation, a difficult deadline
- Extracurricular — captaining a team, organising an event, resolving a conflict
- Volunteering, DofE, prefect or leadership roles
STAR mistakes to avoid
- Using “we” — always say “I”
- Spending too long on S and T, rushing A and R
- Vague results: “it went well” — be specific
- No reflection — the R should always include what you learned
Want the full prep pack?
EY Apprenticeship Prep Pack
Application stages, competencies, real interview questions, commercial awareness, and a pre-submission checklist — in one complete pack.