Interviews don’t always fail because we “didn’t know enough.” More often, they fall apart because our answers aren’t clear, structured, and confident under pressure. If you have limited time, try this focused 30-minute routine before your next interview—virtual or in-person.
Read the job description once, then pull out:
Tip: Turn each into a short phrase you can repeat naturally (e.g., “I’m strong in cross-functional communication and shipping iteratively.”). This becomes your anchor when nerves kick in.
Pick three stories that can flex across multiple questions:
Use a STAR structure, but keep it tight:
Upgrade: Add a one-line “so what” that connects to the role: “That’s why I’m comfortable owning ambiguity and aligning stakeholders.”
Choose two common questions and record a quick take:
Then listen once and ask:
Avoid generic questions you could Google. Try:
Write a 2-sentence close you can reuse:
After the interview, send a same-day thank-you note referencing one specific topic you discussed.
If you had only 30 minutes to prep, which part of this routine would help you most—and what do you currently spend too much time on?
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