Why “good” answers still miss the mark

Even strong candidates lose points because their answers are unclear, too long, or light on impact. Interviewers aren’t just listening for what you did—they’re evaluating how you think, communicate, and prioritize.

Here’s a practical structure you can use in almost any interview question (behavioral, situational, even technical) to sound confident and concise.

The 60–90 Second Answer Formula (that actually works)

Use this 4-part flow to keep your response focused:

• 1) Context (1–2 sentences): What was happening? Keep it tight.
• 2) Goal (1 sentence): What were you trying to achieve?
• 3) Actions (3–5 sentences): What you specifically did (tools, decisions, collaboration).
• 4) Result + Proof (1–2 sentences): Outcome + numbers, feedback, or measurable impact.

Pro tip: If you can’t say it in 90 seconds, you probably haven’t chosen the right example yet.

Upgrade STAR with two small tweaks

STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is great—but many answers still feel generic. Add:

1) A “So what?” impact line

After the result, add one sentence that connects your work to the bigger picture:

• “This mattered because…” (customer retention, revenue, risk reduction, team velocity, etc.)

2) A reflection line (signals maturity)

Finish with a learning or improvement statement:

• “If I did it again, I’d…”
• “What I learned was…”

This shows coachability without sounding like you made a mistake.

Quick checklist before you answer

Run through these in your head while the interviewer is asking:

• Am I answering the question they asked—or the one I wish they asked?
• Do I mention my role clearly (“I did…”) vs. “we” only?
• Do I include a metric or concrete proof point?
• Can I summarize my answer in one sentence? (If not, it’s too big.)

Mini-exercise (try this today)

Pick one common prompt—like “Tell me about a time you handled conflict”—and write:

• A one-sentence headline (your takeaway)
• Your 4-part 60–90 second answer
• One metric you can include (even an estimate)

Then practice it out loud once. You’ll immediately hear where you ramble.

Your turn

What interview question do you consistently overthink or ramble on—and want help tightening into a clear 60–90 second answer?