Nail your next job interview: 6 ways to prove you’re the right person
Many people think that an interview is about exploring whether you’re the right fit for a job; well ladies and gentleman, job seekers, it’s not. It’s about demonstrating that you’re the right person for the job, in sixty minutes. Think about it more as a pitch; you have one brief opportunity to really showcase yourself.
In many instances, the job doesn’t go to the most talented person, but to the person who has marketed themselves best. The team at Reelu is happy to share some of our own tricks and some that we have learned from people we’ve had the pleasure to interview and hire over the years.
Here is your ultimate guide to owning your interviews:
Be a mind reader (kinda)
Show that you understand the company’s pain points and position yourself as the solution.
For Managers:
Example: Instead of saying, “I managed a team,” say, “I built a high-performing team that reduced project delivery times by 15%, helping the company meet its quarterly goals.”
Bonus Tip: Research their challenges (e.g., scaling teams, launching new products) and talk about how you’ve solved similar issues before.
For Employees:
Example: “I noticed your team is expanding globally. In my previous role, I helped localize marketing campaigns across three regions, increasing user engagement by 25%.”
Flex Like You Belong
Show how your skills and experiences align perfectly with the role and the company’s goals.
For Techies:
Example: “Your team needs someone with full-stack development experience. I’ve built scalable applications in React and Node.js, including a SaaS platform that serves 10,000+ active users daily.”
For Marketers:
Example: “You mentioned a focus on growing brand awareness. At my last job, I launched a social media campaign that boosted follower growth by 50% and led to $200K in new sales.”
Pro Tip: Highlight transferable skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and leadership—these apply across roles and industries.
Share Examples & Stories
Back your achievements with data and stories that stick.
For Business Development:
Example: “I spearheaded negotiations for a $1M deal with a major client by identifying their key pain points and presenting a custom solution.”
For Operations Roles:
Example: “I led a supply chain optimization project that reduced costs by 12% while improving delivery times by 20%.”
Pro Tip: Keep your stories short, focused, and impactful—like a highlight reel of your greatest hits.
Ask smart questions
Show genuine curiosity about the company and the role while making a strong impression.
Examples of smart questions:
“What are the biggest challenges facing this team, and how can I help solve them?”
“How does success in this role align with the company’s broader goals?”
“What does growth look like for someone in this position over the next 1-2 years?”
What to Avoid: Basic questions like “What’s the culture here?” Instead, dig deeper to show you’ve done your homework.
Ace behavioral questions like a pro
Be ready for “Tell me about a time…” questions with the STAR method:
STAR Breakdown:
Situation: Set the scene.
Task: Explain the challenge.
Action: Highlight what you did.
Result: Share the outcome.
Examples:
For conflict resolution:
Question: “Tell me about a time you resolved a conflict at work.”
Answer:
Situation: “Two teammates disagreed on a project approach.”
Task: “I needed to mediate and ensure we delivered on time.”
Action: “I facilitated a meeting, encouraged both sides to present their ideas, and helped find a middle ground.”
Result: “We completed the project ahead of schedule and exceeded client expectations.”
For innovation:
Question: “Tell me about a time you improved a process.”
Answer:
Situation: “Our onboarding process was taking two weeks.”
Task: “I was tasked with improving efficiency.”
Action: “I created an automated workflow that cut manual steps by 50%.”
Result: “The process now takes three days, saving 20 hours per week across teams.”
Practice till perfect
Confidence comes from preparation.
Tips to Nail It:
Record yourself answering common questions like “Why should we hire you?” and “What are your strengths?”
Get feedback from a friend or mentor to refine your tone and delivery.
Practice tailoring your answers to the specific role and company—rehearsal makes perfect.
Pro Tip: Prepare for surprises! Practice answers to trickier questions like “What’s your biggest weakness?”
You have the length of the meeting to showcase that you’re not just a fit — you’re the person for the job. Follow these tips, practice relentlessly, and walk into your next interview with confidence.
