How to Tailor Interview Answers to Get More Job Offers

When I interviewed candidates for our team at Microsoft, one thing always set the best apart. Specificity. Their answers showed that they did their research. They knew exactly why we were hiring and how their background fit — and they gave specific examples to prove it. This was one of the most consistent things across our best hires, so much so that I actually ended up using it as a screening test. If I could replace Microsoft with a competitor (Google, Amazon, etc.) and their answer still worked, it wasn’t a good answer. The people who gave catch-all answers tended to show that they didn't do much research and the convo progressed. Those interviews were generic and boring. But the people who could tell me exactly what was happening and how they could make an impact? Those conversations were a blast and those candidates stood out. So when you’re preparing for your next interview, use this 3 step process: 1. Research the heck out of the company and hiring team 2. Draft up answers that use specific examples and focus on the company’s needs 3. For each answer, ask yourself, “does this answer make sense if I swap in a competitor?” If it does, you need to be more specific! If it only makes sense with your target company, you’re in great shape to crush this thing.

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   

🤔 Getting interviews but not landing the job? Let’s talk about one simple shift that could make all the difference. The first place to look is your interview responses—specifically, the words you're using to talk about your experience. I recently worked with a coaching client who made just one small change to how she answered interview questions. The result? She landed a job offer from her very next interview. Here’s the tip that worked for her—and can work for you too: ✅ Speak from experience, not hypotheticals. When you say things like “If I were in that role…,” you may sound unsure—even if you’re fully qualified! Instead, show confidence by speaking from your actual experience. Try using phrases like: 🔹 “I’ve led similar projects by…” 🔹 “In my previous role, I found success by…” 🔹 “I would approach that challenge using the same strategy I used when…” Want to boost your confidence even more? Here are two powerful tools I recommend for interview practice: 🔸 Yoodli – This free AI tool helps you fine-tune your tone, pacing, and word choice. It’s used by Toastmasters for a reason—it works! Record your responses and get real-time insights before sharing with a coach or mentor. 🔸 LinkedIn Interview Prep – Select common interview questions, record your answers, and send them to a trusted colleague or coach for honest feedback. 🙋♀️ If you want expert support to sharpen your interview skills and start hearing more yeses, send me a direct message on LinkedIn. I'd love to explore how live coaching can help you show up with clarity, confidence, and impact and help you determine your best next step in your job search on our call. ✨ You’re already landing interviews—now let’s make sure you’re landing offers too! ✨ 📹 (Check out the video below to hear how one small shift helped my client go from interviews to offers in no time!) 😊