How to write a Changing and Improving statement
A step-by-step guide to writing a strong Changing and Improving behaviour statement using the STAR method. Follow these steps, avoid common mistakes, and use the checklist before you submit.
What Changing and Improving means
Changing and Improving means being open to new ideas, spotting opportunities to do things better, and taking practical steps to make improvements happen. Assessors want to see that you do not just accept the status quo.
What assessors look for: Evidence that you identify inefficiencies, propose improvements, and follow through to make them happen — even if the change is small.
Step 1: Choose your example
Pick one specific situation from your work, volunteering, or education. The best examples for Changing and Improving often involve:
- Administrative assistant who redesigned the team's filing system to save two hours per week.
- A situation where you had to think beyond your immediate responsibilities
- A challenge that required you to being open to change and suggesting ways to make things better.
You do not need a dramatic story. A well-told ordinary example scores better than an extraordinary one told badly. Assessors look for clarity and evidence, not grandeur.
Step 2: Write the Situation (2 sentences)
Set the scene quickly. The assessor needs enough context to understand what was at stake, but not every detail.
For example: "In my role as an administrative assistant, I noticed the team was spending approximately two hours each week searching for documents across multiple shared drives with inconsistent naming conventions."
Step 3: Write the Task (1 sentence)
State your specific responsibility. What did you need to achieve?
For example: "I needed to create a more efficient filing system that everyone could adopt without disrupting ongoing work."
Step 4: Write the Action (60% of your words)
This is the most important part. Describe what you did, step by step. Use "I" not "we". Be specific about your contribution.
For example: "I mapped out the current folder structure and identified the three most common search paths. I then designed a simplified hierarchy with clear naming rules and created a one-page guide. Before rolling..."
Spending too long on Situation and not enough on Action. The assessor wants to know what you did, not every detail of the context.
Step 5: Write the Result (1–2 sentences)
End with a clear outcome. Include a number if you can — it makes your result concrete and memorable.
For example: "Document retrieval time dropped by approximately 75%. Three other teams adopted the same system after hearing about it. My manager included the approa..."
Full example
Here is the complete example, annotated with STAR markers:
[S] In my role as an administrative assistant, I noticed the team was spending approximately two hours each week searching for documents across multiple shared drives with inconsistent naming conventions.
[T] I needed to create a more efficient filing system that everyone could adopt without disrupting ongoing work.
[A] I mapped out the current folder structure and identified the three most common search paths. I then designed a simplified hierarchy with clear naming rules and created a one-page guide. Before rolling it out, I tested it with two colleagues for a week and incorporated their feedback. I then presented the new system at a team meeting, explained the time savings, and offered one-to-one support for anyone who needed help transitioning.
[R] Document retrieval time dropped by approximately 75%. Three other teams adopted the same system after hearing about it. My manager included the approach in the department's induction pack for new starters.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Describing a change that was imposed on you rather than one you initiated.
- Focusing on the idea without showing the action you took to implement it.
- Using jargon like "leveraged synergies" instead of plain language about what you actually did.
Checklist before you submit
- Is the example specific and real?
- Do I use "I" not "we" in the Action section?
- Is the word count within the limit (check the job advert)?
- Does the Result include a number or measurable outcome?
- Have I adapted this example to focus on Changing and Improving, not another behaviour?
- Have I removed filler words and phrases?
- Have I checked for spelling and grammar errors?