Mastering the PAR Approach: My Thoughts on Leveling Up Interview Skills
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about interviews, not just how nerve-wracking they can be, but how important it is to really tell your story in a way that sticks. It’s not just about rattling off your resume anymore. It’s about showing who you are through the experiences you’ve had. That’s where the PAR method (Problem, Action, Result) comes in. Honestly, it’s become my go-to framework for framing stories that actually land with interviewers.
Using PAR in STAR Interviews (Yes, They’re a Thing)
If you’ve ever been asked one of those classic behavioral questions, “Tell me about a time when…”, you’ve probably dealt with the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result). The cool thing is PAR slots into that perfectly.
Problem: I start by giving just enough background to make the story make sense. That’s basically the “Situation” and “Task” parts of STAR. But instead of overloading the details, I try to zero in on what the actual challenge was.
Action: This is where I get to really tell my part of the story. I walk the interviewer through what I did, my thinking, the steps I took, how I tackled the issue. I know we like to say we but “I” is ok in an interview
Result: Finally, I close with what happened. Whether it’s numbers, feedback, or just a solid win, I try to focus on what changed because of what I did.
When There’s No Structure, Still Use PAR
Some interviews are super conversational, which can be both nice and a little chaotic. But even in those, I’ve found PAR keeps me grounded. I can tell a story without rambling or losing the point.
Problem: I just naturally bring up a situation, something tough or meaningful I had to deal with.
Action: Then I explain what I did, but in a more relaxed, story-like way. I’ve noticed that being specific and real (not overly rehearsed) actually makes people pay attention.
Result: And of course, I still make sure to mention how it turned out, especially anything that shows real impact.
A Few Things I’ve Learned About Using PAR Well
Practice really does help. I’ve tried talking through stories with friends and even recording myself—it’s kind of cringey at first, but super useful. You get a sense of your tone and where you might be losing people.
Tailor your examples. I’ve learned to pick stories that make sense for the job and the company. What works for a fast-paced startup might not work for a huge corporation.