Master the STAR Method

Annemie Burger, HR director at leading brand agency Penquin, emphasises that behavioural questions are designed to assess how you’ve handled situations in the past . The STAR method provides a framework for compelling answers:

• Situation: Set the context

• Task: Explain your responsibility

• Action: Describe what you did

• Result: Share the outcome

Example STAR Answer:
Question: “Tell us about a time you worked in a team to solve a problem.”

Situation: “In my final year of university, our group faced a tight deadline for a major project when two members fell ill.”

Task: “As team coordinator, I needed to reorganise our workflow to meet the deadline without overburdening anyone.”

Action: “I reassessed our remaining tasks, redistributed work based on each person’s strengths, and scheduled daily check-ins to track progress.”

Result: “We completed the project three days early and received one of the top scores in the class.” 

The Question You Must Nail: “Tell Me About Yourself”

This isn’t your life story. Use the Present-Past-Future formula :

Present: Where you are now and what you’re seeking
Past: Relevant experience that prepared you
Future: How you’ll contribute to this role

Entry-level example:
“I recently completed my degree in marketing at the University of Johannesburg, where I developed strong analytical and campaign management skills. During my internship at a local agency, I assisted with social media strategy for three major clients. I’m now looking to apply my digital marketing skills in a full-time role where I can grow with an established team.”

Research: Your Secret Weapon

Wits University Career Services team leader Lindelwe Cili stresses that employers prioritise candidates who display “practical skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach” . Thorough research demonstrates all three.

Before any interview:

• Research the company: Mission, values, recent news, clients, competitors 

• Know the role inside out: Understand how your experience aligns with each requirement

• Study your own CV: Be ready to discuss every aspect in detail 

Salary Negotiation: When and How

According to Wits Graduate Recruitment Officer Bongi Ndlovu, “The ideal time to negotiate a salary is once the employer has extended a formal job offer” . This gives you maximum leverage.

Preparation tips:

• Research market-related salaries on job platforms

• Consider your experience, skills, and industry standards

• Focus on the value you bring, not what you “need”

• Be realistic—”Don’t aim too high and risk pricing yourself out of the job” 

Important: Wits advises against sharing your payslip with recruiters, as “this practice can constrain future salary negotiations” . Instead, prepare a well-researched expectation based on market standards.

Questions You Should Ask

An interview is a two-way street. Asking thoughtful questions shows genuine interest and helps you assess fit .

Good questions to ask:

• “What does success look like in this role in the first six months?”

• “How would you describe the team culture?”

• “What are the biggest challenges facing the department currently?”

• “What are the next steps in the interview process?”

Avoid: Asking about leave days, salary, or benefits in the first interview .

Prepare with Confidence

At cvtemplatessa.co.za, we believe preparation extends beyond your CV. Our Interview Mastery Guide helps you:

• Practice answers to 20 common SA interview questions

• Apply the STAR method with industry-specific examples

• Understand salary expectations across different sectors

• Prepare for panel and virtual interviews

• Send professional follow-up emails with our templates

Download the Interview Mastery Guide today and walk into your next interview with confidence.