Read this article to learn five expert tips for using the STAR method with confidence in your first HR competency-based interview. Stay calm under pressure and deliver structured answers that clearly highlight your real strengths. Do you know why most first-time candidates freeze during HR competency-based interviews? It is not just nerves. These interviews test real experiences, not textbook knowledge, and many candidates struggle because their answers lack structure. The STAR method changes that. By guiding your response, this method enables you to stay calm and showcase the HR skills interviewers value most. Research from the University of Manchester shows that structured responses like STAR improve clarity and increase a candidate’s chances of a positive evaluation. By learning this method, you present your HR competencies in the way recruiters want to see. This article explains the STAR method and shares five expert tips to help you stay confident in your first HR competency-based interview.