Being over‑prepared can backfire. Neil Costa, CEO of Hirelix, told CNBC Make It that he’s interviewed about 500 people — and he’s learned something important: sometimes “scripted answers” end up sounding, well, scripted. While it’s smart to prepare for standard questions (like “Tell me about yourself”), trying to guess every possible question rarely pays off.
Instead, he recommends asking the recruiter what to expect — that way you get tailored guidance, not generic expectations. Also, be sure to have your own questions ready. It shows genuine interest in the specific role.
5 Quick Tips for Interview Prep
Many job seekers make the mistake of starting by memorizing answers to common questions. Instead, try this reverse approach:
-
Begin with what the company needs. Read the job description carefully and identify the key goals the company wants you to accomplish.
-
Match your best skills and accomplishments to those needs. Think of 1–2 strong stories that showcase how you can deliver results.
-
Use a strong storytelling framework. One effective method:
-
C — Context: What was the situation?
-
A — Approach: What strategy or action did you use?
-
A — Actions: What concrete steps did you take (including challenges)?
-
R — Results: What was achieved? Be specific if you can.
-
-
Prepare only a few powerful stories. Instead of trying to cover every possible question, choose a handful of versatile stories and shape your responses around those.
-
Practice until it feels natural. Rehearse in front of someone, record yourself, listen back — until your answers sound confident, conversational, and genuine.
Using this method ensures that, regardless of the question, you deliver relevant and impactful answers.