Improving Interview Skills: Real-Life Lessons from a Mock Interview

Recently, I conducted a mock interview for a U.S. veteran transitioning into project management roles. While his experience was highly relevant, he struggled during the mock session to effectively communicate his qualifications and connect with the interviewer.

Here are five ways I helped improve his interview skills:

1. Setting the Scene in Behavioral Questions

During a behavioral question, he gave a response like this:

"We faced a lot of challenges, but I got the team to finish the project successfully."

The issue? He skipped over the situation entirely. Without understanding what the problem was, who it affected, and why it mattered, the interviewer had no context for evaluating his actions.

My advice: Clearly set the stage by explaining the situation in detail. For example:

"We were managing a product launch, and two weeks before the deadline, we discovered a major vendor delay that threatened to derail the timeline. This delay would have impacted our client’s marketing campaign and resulted in a significant financial loss."

This not only clarifies the stakes but also makes it easier to highlight the steps you took and the results you achieved.

2. Revising “Tell Me About Yourself”

When asked to introduce himself, his original answer ended with:"I got laid off recently, so I’m looking for my next opportunity."

While honest, this answer missed the purpose of the question. It’s not about explaining your current circumstances but about showcasing how your background, skills, and aspirations align with the role.

My advice: Frame your response as a narrative that connects your past experiences to your future goals. For example:

"I bring over a decade of leadership experience, honed during my military service, where I managed complex projects under tight deadlines. Most recently, I led a team that successfully delivered a multimillion-dollar initiative on time and within budget. I’m excited about this role because it offers the opportunity to apply my project management skills and contribute to impactful outcomes."

3. Writing Stories in Advance

For behavioral questions such as “Tell me about a time when...,” he often struggled to provide clear, detailed examples and relied too much on vague generalizations.

My advice: Prepare 5-10 stories in advance that highlight your leadership, problem-solving, adaptability, and teamwork. Focus on experiences that showcase key strengths relevant to the role.

Each story should follow the STAR method:

• Situation: What was the challenge?

• Task: What was your role?

• Action: What steps did you take?

• Result: What was the outcome?

Having these stories ready helps ensure you respond confidently and with clarity.

4. Shifting from Hypothetical to Historical Answers

When asked situational questions like “How would you handle X?” he often leaned on hypothetical responses that lacked depth and authenticity.

My advice: Where possible, tie hypothetical questions back to real-life experiences. For example:

Instead of:"I would gather the team and brainstorm solutions."

Say:"In a similar situation during my last role, I gathered the team and facilitated a brainstorming session. By leveraging their input, we developed a solution that reduced delays and delivered results ahead of schedule."

This approach not only answers the question but also reinforces your credibility.

5. Writing Down Talking Points

For open-ended questions like “Tell me about yourself,” he often got lost, jumping between topics without a clear structure.

My advice: Write down three talking points in advance—your key strengths, relevant experiences, and how they connect to the role.

Pro Tip: With virtual interviews, you can keep these bullets next to you and refer to them as needed. This ensures you cover all your points and respond with clarity. For example:

• Key Strength: "Over 10 years of leadership experience."

• Relevant Experience: "Successfully delivered complex projects under tight deadlines."

• Connection to Role: "Excited to apply these skills to contribute to your team’s success."

Why Beginner Gains Matter

The first 10 interviews bring the biggest improvements. By practicing, refining your stories, and learning from each experience, you build confidence and develop a strong foundation.

Go practice. Early efforts lead to the greatest progress.