Answer a 'found an error' question in STAR order

About this exercise

You're applying to your company's internal audit rotation. The form asks about a time you found an error. Answer in exactly 4 lines labeled 'Situation:', 'Task:', 'Action:' and 'Result:', each under 25 words (under 110 words total), plain text, using the corrected dollar amount from your notes. Don't name the coworker who made the error. Write a prompt that gets that answer.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Writing it as a story. The AI writes a long paragraph, so reviewers can't scan the structure. Try: Show it: "Exactly 4 lines: Situation:, Task:, Action:, Result:."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for "under 110 words" and it often lands well over. Try: Cap each part instead: "each line under 22 words."
• Using the first number. Your notes show $18,400 before the correction. The AI may use it, in an answer about catching errors. Try: Say it: "The duplicate was $14,800."
• Weak result, naming names. The AI ends at the refund, misses the lasting fix, and may mention Ken. Try: Add: "Result: refund in 10 days, and the new check caught 6 more ($22,000). Don't name anyone."
• Forgetting where it gets pasted. AI adds bold and headings by default, which show up as ** and # clutter in the application form. Try: Add: "Plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

• Uses the STAR labels
• Uses the corrected amount
• Shows the lasting result
• Keeps names out
• Asks for plain text
• Sets a word limit

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