Breaking the Script: Five Interview Tips That Work

Written By Julia Stefani

With the new year the tech job market is more active than I have seen it in over a year so I wanted to share a few pieces of insights I share with coaching clients that seem to resonate and make an impact.

Before we dive in, let me stress that all of this is my personal opinion—and that interviews themselves are highly personal and unique.What works for one person may not be the perfect strategy for someone else.

That said, as a Product Leader who loves doing career coaching on the side, I’ve noticed certain tactics can help people feel more confident and genuinely prepared, rather than just memorizing facts or scripts.

A few practical changes—like focusing on storytelling over memorization and digging deeper into company leadership—can make the difference. Here are 5 interview tips that work:

Tip 1: Create a “Story Bank”

Many people freeze when asked, “Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge.” Stress can make it tough to recall the right example in the moment.

What to do instead:

  • Compile 10–12 short stories from your work history—anecdotes that show your conflict resolution, leadership, or creative problem-solving skills.

  • Match each story to common behavioral questions (teamwork, failure, tight deadlines).

Having these on hand lets you respond with confidence and authenticity, avoiding rushed or unclear answers.

Tip 2: Research Leaders Beyond the Company Website

Reading a company’s “About Us” page is helpful—but to gain deeper insights, look at what key decision-makers are saying or doing.

Where to look:

  • LinkedIn posts and articles from the CEO, VP, or other executives.

  • Podcasts or conference talks where leaders share their vision.

  • Press releases and interviews about recent initiatives or market moves.

Mentioning something you learned from a top leader’s post—like the CTO’s thoughts on scaling engineering teams or the CRO’s perspective on new growth channels—shows genuine curiosity and sets you apart from candidates.

Tip 3:Treat the Interview as a Working Session

Instead of viewing the interview as a one-sided test, see it as a discussion about how you and the interviewer might collaborate. Channel one of your best brainstorming sessions with a coworker.

How to make this shift:

  • Ask clarifying questions to ensure you understand a scenario before solving it.

  • Outline your thought process step by step: “I’d start with X, consider Y, then move on to Z…”

  • Invite input: “Does this approach fit with how your team typically addresses these challenges?”

This approach helps the interviewer see how you problem-solve with others—an essential part of most roles.

Tip 4: Structure Is More Important Than the Final Answer

It’s often more important to show you can think clearly than to produce the “perfect” answer. Employers want to see how you handle complexity.

Use frameworks:

  • STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions.

  • Pros & Cons, SWOT, or Stakeholder Analysis for product or strategy scenarios.

  • Keep your reasoning concise, so the interviewer can follow along.

Demonstrating a structured approach under pressure reassures them you won’t get lost when real-world problems arise.

Tip 5: Ask Yourself: “What Does the Interviewer Really Want to Know?”

Behind each question—“How do you handle conflict?” or “What’s your biggest failure?”—lies a deeper goal: understanding how you operate and what you value.

  • Conflict questions may probe your empathy, communication, and problem-solving.

  • Failure questions often reveal your resilience and willingness to learn.

  • Tight deadlines or prioritization questions can highlight your organizational skills.

By thinking about the “why” behind each question, you can tailor your stories to address those core concerns more directly.

Yes, interviews are deeply personal and each one is unique—but often, a few thoughtful adjustments can help you shine in any setting. Building a curated list of stories, exploring a company’s leadership, embracing a collaborative mindset, showcasing structured thinking, and considering what the interviewer truly wants to learn can dramatically improve how you present yourself.

If you found this helpful and think I can be of help in your journey don't hesitate to reach out.

Julia Stefani