Interview Prep: The STAR Method and 6 Questions You're Too Afraid to Ask

You've sent out dozens of resumes, heard nothing back, and finally landed an interview. Now what? You're probably Googling "how to answer tell me about yourself" and "what questions to ask in an interview." Let's cut through the noise. Most interview advice is either generic fluff or outdated myths. Here's what actually works, based on what recruiters and career experts say.

Is the STAR method actually necessary?

Yes. And no, it's not just a buzzword. Behavioral questions like "Tell me about a time you failed" are standard in most interviews (Yale Office of Career Strategy). The STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—gives you a simple structure to answer these without rambling. The key is to spend about 60% of your time on the Action, not the setup, and to quantify your results (Yale Office of Career Strategy). For example, instead of saying "I improved sales," say "I increased sales by 20% in six months by revamping our outreach emails." That's the difference between a forgettable answer and one that gets you hired.

What's the worst answer to "Do you have any questions?"

"No." Absolutely never say no. The worst answer is no (Yale Office of Career Strategy). You should prepare three to five questions that show you've done your homework and care about the role (Stanford GSB Interviewing). Avoid asking about salary, benefits, or flexible hours until you're the top candidate—that comes later. Instead, ask about the team's biggest challenge, what success looks like in the first 90 days, or how the company measures performance. And here's a pro move: at the end, ask if they have any concerns about your candidacy. It gives you a chance to address them on the spot (Stanford GSB Interviewing).

Is it legal for them to ask if I'm married or planning kids?

No, and you don't have to answer. In the US, it's illegal to discriminate based on race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or citizenship status (Yale OCS Illegal Interview Questions). Questions like "Are you married?" or "Do you have children?" are illegal because they target protected characteristics (Yale OCS Illegal Interview Questions). If you get asked one, you have three options: answer if you're comfortable, deflect by addressing the underlying concern (e.g., "I'm fully committed to relocating"), or ask how it relates to the job (Yale OCS Illegal Interview Questions). Know your rights—it's not just awkward, it's against the law.

Do I really need to send a thank-you note?

Yes, and it's not optional. Send a thank-you note to every person who interviewed you within one to two business days (Yale OCS Professional Conduct). It's not just polite—it reinforces your interest and keeps you top of mind. Keep it short, specific, and reference something you discussed. A quick email is fine, but don't skip it. You'd be surprised how many candidates lose the job because they didn't follow up.

Can I ask about salary in the first interview?

Don't. Wait until you have a formal offer. Research market rates, but let the employer bring up numbers first (Yale Office of Career Strategy). When you do negotiate, do it politely—it's expected, and offers are rarely rescinded for asking (Yale Office of Career Strategy). In fact, about 42% of candidates counter, and 85% of those get at least part of what they ask for (UCLA Anderson Review). Those who counter get on average 12.45% more compensation—that's about $27,000 a year for the tech workers studied (UCLA Anderson Review). So don't leave money on the table.

Is it bad to look at the camera during a video interview?

No, that's exactly what you should do. For video interviews, look at the camera, not the screen, and choose a neutral, clutter-free background (Yale OCS Phone Video Meal Interviews). It feels weird, but it creates eye contact. Also, set aside at least 60 minutes for phone interviews, even if the call is shorter—you never know if it'll run long or if they'll spontaneously add a second interviewer (Yale OCS Phone Video Meal Interviews).

What if I get asked a case interview question?

Case interviews are common in consulting and marketing roles—they test your thinking with market-sizing, strategy, or quantitative questions (Yale OCS Case Interview). The best preparation is practice. You can't wing it. Find a friend, run through practice cases, and learn the frameworks. But don't panic if you're not a consultant—most interviews are behavioral, so focus on your STAR stories.

Here's a quick cheat sheet for interview day:

• Prepare 3-5 smart questions (Stanford GSB Interviewing).
• Practice STAR stories out loud.
• Send thank-you notes within 2 business days (Yale OCS Professional Conduct).
• Wait for the offer before negotiating salary (Yale Office of Career Strategy).

Stop overthinking. Interviews are about showing you can do the job and that you're not a jerk. Use the STAR method, ask smart questions, and follow up. That's it. The rest is noise.

Sources

• Yale Office of Career Strategy - https://ocs.yale.edu/channels/the-behavioral-interview/posts/
• Yale OCS Illegal Interview Questions - https://ocs.yale.edu/channels/illegal-interview-questions/
• Yale OCS Phone Video Meal Interviews - https://ocs.yale.edu/channels/phone-video-and-meal-interviews/posts/
• Yale OCS Professional Conduct - https://ocs.yale.edu/channels/professional-conduct-etiquette/
• Stanford GSB Interviewing - https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/alumni/career-resources/job-search/interviewing
• UCLA Anderson Review - https://anderson-review.ucla.edu/most-job-seekers-skip-negotiation-and-pay-a-high-price/