Speaking well in a job interview.
You can have the best CV in the world.
But if you waffle through your job interview, you're not landing the job.
Speaking well in a job interview is half preparation, half performance.
And many people only half do both.
Let’s fix that.
PART ONE: PREP LIKE A PRO
A good answer in a job interview isn’t made up on the spot. It’s rehearsed and ready.
Here’s how to do that properly:
A. Stock up on solid examples.
Don’t just wait for questions like ‘Tell me about a time you led a project.’
Anticipate them.
Create a bank of 5 or 6 examples you’re genuinely proud of.
They should be relevant to the role you want … Ones that show the skills this job needs.
B. Speak to colleagues
You’ll be surprised what other people remember. Former colleagues, bosses, people you managed … They might recall projects or achievements you’d forgotten about
A quick WhatsApp message could unearth a killer example. Borrow their memories.
C. Practise like it matters.
Because it does.
Rehearse your answers out loud.
Not in your head … In your actual voice.
You don’t need to memorise your examples word-for-word. But aim to sound natural, like you’ve done this before.
PART TWO: DELIVER LIKE YOU MEAN IT
Once you’re in the room (or on the Teams call), the prep is done.
Now it’s all about how you speak.
A. Pace. Clarity. Conciseness.
That’s your mantra.
Speak at a steady pace.
Whatever you do, don’t ramble.
Get to the point quickly.
If you find yourself heading for a long story, pause and ask yourself: Is this really answering the question?
B. Watch out for nerves.
They can sneak in.
They make you speed up, speak in circles, and throw in filler-phrases like ‘I guess’ and ‘kind of’ to soften your point.
Don’t do that.
Take a moment before answering.
You’ll sound more thoughtful and more confident.
C. Answer the question you were actually asked.
Not the one you wish they’d asked.
Not the one you practised that sounds kind of similar.
Stay focussed.
Every answer should show you understand the question and you’re responding to it directly. That alone will put you ahead of most candidates.
To sum up.
You can’t wing it and do a great interview.
A great interview comes from being prepared and present.
Prepare your stories.
Rehearse your answers.
Then on the day, speak clearly and stay focused.
You’ve got it in the bag.
Hate public speaking? Let’s fix that.
Start the journey to banish your fear of public speaking and presenting, improve your confidence, and boost your career prospects. Check out the online masterclass here at Better Public Speaking.
