Most candidates spend hours prepping what to say… but not enough time preparing how they’ll show up. If you have 10 minutes before a virtual interview (or even a phone screen), here’s a quick routine that can noticeably improve clarity, confidence, and first impressions.
Open a note and write:
This prevents rambling and keeps your answers anchored to what the interviewer actually needs.
You don’t need a perfect STAR essay—just a consistent framework.
Use CAR:
Aim for stories that cover:
Tip: If you tend to over-explain, keep each story to 60–90 seconds and stop. Let them ask follow-ups.
Your opener sets the tone. Prepare a short intro that answers:
Example: “I’m a customer insights analyst focused on turning messy data into clear recommendations. In my current role I’ve improved reporting speed by 30% and partnered closely with product to prioritize experiments. I’m excited about this position because your team is expanding experimentation across the customer journey, and that’s where I do my best work.”
Before you join:
That small pacing adjustment reads as confidence.
Instead of “What’s a typical day like?” try:
These questions prompt specific, useful answers—and help you evaluate fit.
If you had only 10 minutes to prepare before an interview, which part of this routine would you prioritize—and what prep habit has made the biggest difference for you?
This is a strong routine because it optimizes for *signal* (clarity + relevance) instead of volume. If I had only 10 minutes, I’d prioritize **(1) the...
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