Alright, let’s get you interview-ready. Whether you’re eyeing up your next dream role or testing the waters, here’s how to walk in with confidence and walk out with an offer.

Know Your STAR

If you’ve ever stumbled over a question like, “Tell me about a time you handled a tricky stakeholder,” you’re not alone. That’s where the STAR method comes in. It’s a simple framework to keep you clear, focused, and impactful.

S = Situation
Set the scene. Where were you? What was happening? Keep it short and sharp.

T = Task
What was your responsibility in that moment? What needed doing?

A = Action
Here’s the good bit. What did you actually do? Walk through your thinking, the steps you took, the decisions you made.

R = Result
How did it end up? What changed? Whenever possible, add numbers or clear outcomes.

Quick example:
“We had a tight product launch deadline. I was leading the QA team. I rallied the team, prioritised the riskiest test cases, and worked closely with engineering to fix bugs faster. We launched on time with no critical issues.”

Show Impact, Not Activity

Hiring managers don’t want to hear what you did in a vague sense, they want to know what changed because you were there. That’s impact.

Frame it like this:

• Start with the context. What was challenging or broken?
• Explain your role. What were you asked to do, and what did you decide to do?
• Zoom in on the action. Spell out your steps, clearly.
• Show the measurable results. More revenue, less churn, happier customers? Numbers are gold, but qualitative impact is great too.
• Wrap it with why it mattered. What was the business outcome?

Quick product development example:
“Our product roadmap was overloaded with features, and we were struggling to prioritise what actually mattered to customers. I introduced a new discovery process, including user interviews and a scoring framework, to focus on high-impact features. Within one quarter, we shipped two releases that solved key pain points, leading to a 25% boost in active users and fewer support tickets. It helped the team stay focused and gave customers a much better experience.”

Broaden Your Prep

OK, STAR is your foundation, but there’s more you can do to stand out.

✅ Know the company
Check their website, read their news, stalk their socials (in a good way). Show them you care enough to do your homework.

✅ Understand the role
Beyond the job ad, think, what problem is this hire meant to solve? That’s the golden question.

✅ Prep your stories
Build a bank of four or five solid stories you can adapt on the fly. Times you showed leadership, handled conflict, delivered under pressure, or nailed a result.

✅ Check your tech
If it’s virtual, test your connection, camera, and mic before you hit join. No one likes wrestling with dodgy WiFi while answering curveball questions.

✅ Prep your own questions
Remember, you’re interviewing them too. Ask about their culture, team rituals, expectations, what success looks like in six months.

✅ Mind your body language
Sit up, smile, make eye contact, whether you’re on a screen or across the table.

✅ Pause and breathe
If a question throws you, take a second. It’s completely fine to say, “Great question, let me think on that.” That shows confidence, not panic.

Final Thoughts

Interviewers want to see the real you, and they want to know you’ll bring value. Stay human, be clear, and back up what you say with evidence.

And if you ever want to run a mock interview, sense-check your stories, or get honest feedback, just say the word. I’m here to help you land the role you deserve.