How to Develop Interview Skills

I've been helping a family friend who recently graduated college prep for her first round of job interviews—and wow, I was shocked to learn her college career services team focused heavily on creating ATS-friendly resumes (not really a thing, IMO) and barely touched on interview prep—especially the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), which is absolutely critical for telling your story clearly and effectively. Here's some things we covered: Don’t memorize answers—build stories. Think of 4–5 key experiences you’ve had (projects, challenges, leadership roles) and map them to the STAR structure. Lead with the result. Especially in fast-paced interviews, highlight the outcome upfront to grab attention before diving into the details. Keep it concise. 2–3 minutes max per story. If you’re rambling past that, you’re losing your interviewer. Check for visual cues. Align with the job. Review the job description and prep stories that demonstrate the skills and qualities they’re looking for. Practice out loud. It’s one thing to know your stories—it’s another to say them clearly and confidently. Another tip I often share with job seekers is if the interview is virtual, consider hiding your own video or putting a sticky note over your video to avoid the inclination to stare at yourself as you speak and train your eyes to the camera instead.

I've interviewed 100s of people for 6-figure roles. (Here's what nobody tells you...) It's not the most qualified candidate who gets the job. It's the best prepared for the interview. How to prep like the top 1%: 1. Research the company like you already work there. ↳ Know their challenges, victories, and latest news. 2. Practice your answers out loud. ↳ What sounds good in your head may not when spoken. 3. Prepare 3 specific stories that showcase your skills. ↳ Focus on your adaptability and leadership. 4. Study the job description. Find the top 3 skills they want. ↳ Then craft examples proving you have them. 5. Do a mock interview with a trusted person. ↳ Someone who will give you honest feedback. 💡 And 7 questions to ask that make YOU stand out: 99% of candidates ask basic questions at the end. Don't waste this opportunity to impress! Ask these instead: ➟ What does success look like in the first 90 days? ➟ What are the biggest challenges facing the team that I could help solve? ➟ How would you describe the management style of the person I'd be reporting to? ➟ What distinguishes your top performers from everyone else? ➟ How does the company support professional development and growth? ➟ What made YOU decide to join this company, and what keeps you here? ➟ What do new employees find surprising after they start? The best candidates don't just answer questions. They create meaningful conversations. Remember: Interviews are a two-way street. You're evaluating them just as much as they are you. You spend 90,000 hours of your life at work. Choose a company and manager that support your growth. Your career will thank you. P.S. What's your best tip for nailing your interview? Share in the comments to help others prepare. ♻️ Valuable? Repost to share with your network. 🔖 Follow Justin Wright for more on career success. Want my 80 best cheat sheets? Get them here for free: BrillianceBrief.com   

My journey to #Google included interviews at #Amazon, #Meta, #PayPal, #Uber, #Pinterest and others. Here are my top tips to help you prep for your next interview: 1. Pre-Interview Prep is KEY: You should be preparing now—before the role is even posted, before you press apply! - Identify impactful projects: Choose projects where you made a real difference and can showcase your skills. - Practice out loud: Rehearse your answers, record yourself, and listen back. This helps refine your delivery and identify areas for improvement. 2. "Tell Me About Yourself" - Your 60-Second Story. Instead of just summarizing your resume, think of this as your chance to tell a concise and engaging story about your career journey. Highlight your: - Past experiences: Briefly touch on relevant roles and accomplishments. - Present skills and qualities: Emphasize your strengths and how they align with the role. - Future aspirations: Connect your #careergoals to the company's #mission. 3. Master the STAR Method: You'll hear me mention this A LOT! That's because the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is what helped me succeed in my interviews and achieve my career goals. - Structure is your friend: For every behavioral question ("Tell me about a time when..."), use the STAR method to tell a clear and impactful story. - OWN your accomplishments: Use "I" statements to highlight your individual contributions. Don't be shy about showcasing your impact! In my mock interview sessions, I hear so many people say "we" when talking about group projects. Remember to focus on what you specifically did. 4. Ask Insightful Questions: ALWAYS ask questions to your interviewer! - Avoid generic questions about company culture. Instead, ask questions that demonstrate your strategic thinking and interest in the role, such as: - How will success be measured in this role? - What are some of the top challenges (internal and external) the team faces? - What are the focus areas for the next year? Key Takeaways: - Preparation is essential: Invest time in pre-interview prep, even BEFORE you have an interview scheduled. - Structure your answers: Use the STAR method to tell compelling stories and showcase your #impact. - Ask insightful questions: Demonstrate your strategic thinking and genuine interest in the role. - Interview prep is an ongoing process: Practice with friends, use #AI-powered tools like Final Round AI, career.io, and Huru - AI Job Interview Preparation App for feedback, and continuously refine your skills. #interviewtips #jobsearch #careerhacks #interviewprep #STARmethod #myjourneyintech #interviewsuccess #journeytotech #blackintech #AIInterviewPrep

One of the things that brings me so much satisfaction in my work with SheFi is helping candidates connect the dots about how to be more effective in their job search and interview processes. Our recent #interview skills workshop was a big hit, with some key takeaways worth sharing more broadly. → Practice your elevator pitch: Be prepared to spend no more than 2-3 minutes sharing a clear picture of your career history, what you’re seeking next, and why you are a fit for the role you’re seeking. No, really. Practice! Clearly articulating your value, experience and career goals at the outset can set the tone for the rest of the interview. → Throughout the interview, be mindful of time. This one commonly trips people up – it’s better to answer a question with a high level overview, pause and say something like “happy to expand on this”, then to ramble with no awareness of time, which flies quickly, especially in a 30-minute interview. It’s natural to be nervous, but rambling can kill an interview. Again, practicing ahead of time can make all the difference! → Have a few STAR stories ready to share. That stands for Situation-Task-Action-Result. This helps your interviewer understand your real experiences about how you’ve solved problems and created impact. These questions usually start with “Tell me about a time when…” or “Share an example of how…”. Include concrete examples and measurable results. These can be challenging to answer on the fly, so spend time preparing. → Be ready to discuss your strengths & weaknesses. Most of us have some idea of our strengths, but it can feel uncomfortable to shine a light on weaknesses. A great way to approach this is to think of your areas of growth. We all have them, and usually the interviewer is seeking to learn more about your self awareness than your weaknesses. → Lastly, have a few thoughtful questions ready, showing your interest in the role and the company. Don’t ask anything that you could easily find on the internet. If you’ve been selected for an interview, CONGRATS! You’re already rising above others in a competitive market. Hoping these tips will help you move to the next round, and eventually, the offer!