Sorry - another question about civil service job applications and STAR

[tulippa]

I'm applying for a civil service job and am at the success profile stage. I understand the STAR structure for my behaviour examples ok but in the National Careers Service advice it has exemplars that actually use the words situation, task, action etc followed by the evidence. Is it necessary to include these words or will it make my application a bit stilted/obvious? Or will I be penalised if I don't?
I've always been put off applying for civil service jobs before as the process is so convoluted but am determined to give it a go this time!

You don't need to use those exact words but you should structure your answer in a way which makes it clear which part you are talking about. If you're worried that it's not clear then using the words can be useful signposting.

In case it's helpful, IME as an interviewer people often spend 90% of their time on the situation then rush through the other three parts (Basically 5 minutes on the background followed by "I needed to fix it and so I fixed it and then everything was ok" 😂). Make sure you use your time (or words on the application form) to explain exactly what you did and, importantly, why that led to the result. Also use plenty of "I" statements not "we" statements. Good luck!

Thank you so much - that's really helpful.