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UK-Spec: How do I use STAR here?

Paulo Ripardo

Hello Everyone

I am trying to fill in the UK-SPEC self-assessment for my IEng application. I have read on the forum that the application should not be more than 6 or 7 pages. As I understand it, I need to use the STAR method to write my application, but if I use STAR for all 17 competences, the application will be much more than 7 pages. So far, I have completed 6 competences and have already reached 5 pages.

So, for the competences, do I need to write something shorter, where I directly show where and how I have used each competence in my career, or do I need to write something longer using the STAR method in another document to attach later?


  • +1

    This is not the best way to use STAR. Instead, STAR can be used to describe solutions/problem solving etc. IT is possible to use STAR to describe personal technical problem solving/RCA projects etc and incorporate in evidence of several competencies and commitments. 3 or 4 examples should allow you to demonstrate the majority of commitments and competencies and then add some sentences to cover off any missing competencies. 

    can I also suggest to consider consulting a PRA? These are volunteers trained to help applicants to prepare applications.  pra.theiet.org/search-advisor

  • +1 in reply to Gerard

    Hi, absolutely as Gerald says, but also:

    THE SELF ASSESSMENT IS NOT THE APPLICATION!!!!

    The page limit refers to the Employment History (and the information pages around that), which is where your application goes, the self assessment is for your own use to check that you feel ready to submit. Yes, this is confusing!

    So take Gerald's advice, but in the Employment History section. For each role talk through the projects you did, using STAR if you want, to bring out how you've shown the competences. You don't have to use STAR, but some applicants find it useful. 

    P.S. I assume you are using Career Manager? If you click on the information [i] button near the top of the Employment History page you'll find guidance there on how to use STAR, as well as more general guidance on filling in this section.  

    Thanks,

    Andy

  • 0 in reply to Andy Millar

    Thank you Andy for the clarification, I really got confused in this part.  

  • 0 in reply to Gerard

    Thank you Gerard, 
    I would look for a PRA after having UK Specs completed then we could discuss better about something that I would need to improve.

  • 0 in reply to Paulo Ripardo

    Hi Paulo,

    Actually I would strongly suggest contacting one right now - otherwise you could spend a lot of time writing things against the competences that you don't need to. You don't need to have anything to show a PRA, I think you will find a first conversation will be a great help to make the whole process easier.

    When candidates approach me as a PRA with a list of competences which they have spent hours working on they sometimes get very upset when I have explain that a lot of what they have written is not relevant to their application! We'd much rather be approached early on so we can get you on the right path to begin with.

    (P.S. Apologies, but don't approach me as I'm not taking on any more applicants.) 

    Wishing you all the best for a successful application,

    Andy

  • 0

    You will find that there are competencies that STAR doesn't work very well for - some of the E competencies in particular can be challenging to use that technique if you don't actually have any practical examples (which not everyone does). I believe STAR is actually a recommendation rather than an absolute mandatory aspect.

    One thing I was told a number of years ago, STAR can be a useful technique to structure aspects of your achievements and competencies. However, when you transfer the STAR to whatever document you are using it with, you don't always transfer the entire STAR. The example given to me is that you might only want to use A and R for a CV.

    The same holds for competencies, the S can be useful to give context, but its not always needed. The A is always needed because you need to detail what you dd. You might only use R where you need to show impact.

    But, every situation is unique and I don't think anyone can specify exactly what will work each time. The advice I often give is to think of the reviewers, they don't want to be reading excess material, and they do want something that's concise.

    However, i would recommend maintaining the full STAR analysis somewhere. Even after you complete your professional registration, it can be useful for CV's, corporate promotions and similar uses.

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