Nailing the Interview - Preparing Your Answers to Impress the Hiring Manager

The interview process can be nerve-wracking, but thorough preparation can make all the difference.  

Preparing for interview questions not only demonstrates your ability to plan and research, but also projects an image of confidence and composure. 

When you've taken the time to anticipate potential questions and craft thoughtful responses, you'll navigate the interview with greater ease and showcase your suitability for the role.

Over the past decade, I've been involved in countless interviews as a hiring manager across a wide range of roles. From entry-level positions to senior leadership, I've seen firsthand the impact of well-prepared candidates.  

Furthermore, I've dedicated significant time to coaching individuals within my organisation to confidently handle high-stakes client interviews, securing valuable partnerships and projects. 

This experience has provided me with unique insights into the do's and dont’s of interview preparation.

The STAR Method: Your Key to Success

One of the most effective strategies for structuring your interview answers is the STAR method. 

This tried-and-tested approach ensures you provide a comprehensive and compelling narrative that highlights your skills and experience. 

STAR stands for:

Situation: Describe the context of your example. What was the background?

Task: Outline the specific task or challenge you faced. What was your role?

Action: Detail the actions you took to address the situation. What steps did you take and why?

Result: Explain the outcome of your actions. What was the impact and what did you learn?

Putting STAR into Action

Let's imagine Suzie, a Project Manager interviewing for a promotion to Programme Manager. 

She's faced with the following question: 

"Tell me about a time when you've had to correct a mistake that was made by you or your team?"

Here's how Suzie could apply the STAR method:

Situation: "During the final stages of a critical IT project rollout, my team discovered a significant compatibility issue with our legacy systems. This oversight, which stemmed from an incorrect assumption made during the initial planning phase, threatened to delay the launch and negatively impact several key departments."

Task: "As the Project Manager, it was my responsibility to take ownership of the situation, rectify the error, and minimise any disruption to the project timeline and stakeholders."

Action: "I immediately initiated a root cause analysis with the team to understand the origin of the mistake and prevent recurrence. I then engaged with the affected departments to communicate the issue transparently and collaboratively explore solutions. We decided to implement a phased rollout, prioritising critical systems while concurrently developing a workaround for the compatibility issue. This involved re-allocating resources, adjusting the project schedule, and securing additional budget approval.”

Result: "Through swift action and open communication, we successfully launched the core components of the project on time. The phased approach minimised disruption to operations, and the workaround ensured full functionality within two weeks of the initial launch. This experience reinforced the importance of rigorous due diligence in the planning phase and proactive stakeholder engagement in managing unforeseen challenges. It also highlighted my ability to think strategically, make decisive decisions under pressure, and effectively leverage programme-level thinking to mitigate risks."

As you can see from the example above, the hiring manager is able to clearly understand the context, the impact and recognise the skills that Suzie has thanks to how Suzie prepared her answer using the STAR method. 

Here are 5 more Top Tips for Interview Preparation to help you alongside the STAR method to truly help you to nail that interview. 

Research the role and the organisation: Understand the company's values, mission, and recent activities.

Prepare multiple examples for common interview questions: Use the STAR method to structure your responses.

Practice your answers out loud: This helps refine your delivery and identify areas for improvement.

Prepare questions to ask the interviewer: This demonstrates your interest and engagement.

Be confident and authentic: Let your personality shine through!

Need help crafting compelling interview answers?

I offer tailored interview guidance to help you prepare and succeed.

Click here today for personalised support and coaching to ensure you stand out from the competition.