Interviews reward clarity. Yet many great candidates lose points by over-explaining, burying the key point, or forgetting the question halfway through. If you’ve ever walked out thinking, “Why did I say all that?”, this post is for you.

Why interview answers spiral

A few common culprits:

• Nerves (your brain grabs for extra details)
• Unclear structure (you’re searching for the point while speaking)
• Trying to prove everything at once instead of one strong example

The fix isn’t “talk less.” It’s answer with a simple structure that keeps you on track.

The 60-second Answer Framework (A-C-E)

Use A-C-E: Answer → Context → Evidence. It works for behavioral and many situational questions.

1) Answer (10–15 seconds)

Start with the headline. One sentence that directly addresses the question.

• “Yes—my strength is simplifying messy projects into clear plans.”

2) Context (15–20 seconds)

Add just enough setup so the story makes sense.

• “In my last role, we had three teams using different tools and timelines.”

3) Evidence (20–25 seconds)

Give 2–3 concrete actions and the result. Prioritize outcomes.

• Actions: what you did (not what “we” did)
• Result: metrics, time saved, quality improved, stakeholder buy-in
• “I built a shared roadmap, aligned weekly priorities with leads, and automated status reporting. We cut missed handoffs by 30% and delivered the launch two weeks early.”

Optional: Bridge (5 seconds)

End by connecting to the job.

• “That same coordination is what I’d bring to your cross-functional launches.”

A quick example: “Tell me about a time you handled conflict.”

• Answer: “I address conflict early and focus on shared goals.”
• Context: “A designer and engineer disagreed on a key workflow, and progress stalled.”
• Evidence: “I facilitated a 20-minute alignment meeting, clarified constraints, proposed two prototypes, and set a 48-hour decision deadline. We chose an option both teams supported and finished the sprint on schedule.”

Practice tips (fast + effective)

• Record yourself once per day. Aim for 60–75 seconds.
• Keep a “proof bank” of 5 stories with metrics (STAR works too—ACE just keeps it tighter).
• If you feel yourself drifting, pause and say: “Let me summarize.” Then deliver your headline + result.

Your turn

What interview question makes you ramble the most—and would you like to share it here so we can help you shape a tighter 60-second answer?