From Good to Great: How to Elevate Your Interview Performance

Why Good Isn’t Always Enough in Interviews

You’ve got experience, you’ve done well in previous interviews, and you’re confident in your abilities. But when you’re aiming for a higher-level job or a promotion, being “good” in an interview often isn’t enough. To stand out, you need to elevate your performance—showcasing not just competence but leadership, strategic thinking, and a strong personal brand.

Hiring managers for senior roles look for candidates who bring value beyond the job description, demonstrating initiative, problem-solving, and the ability to lead or influence others.

If you’re ready to take your interview skills to the next level, this guide will show you how to move from a good interview to a truly great one.

“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally, but what you do consistently.” – Marie Forleo

1. Shift Your Mindset: Think Like a Hiring Manager

To elevate your interview performance, stop thinking like a candidate and start thinking like a hiring manager. Instead of just answering questions, focus on how you can solve problems and add value to the company.

• Understand the bigger picture – Research the company’s goals, challenges, and industry trends.
• Position yourself as a strategic asset – Highlight how your skills will drive growth, efficiency, or innovation.
• Use “we” language – Show that you already see yourself as part of the team by discussing ideas collaboratively.
• Demonstrate leadership – Even if you’re not applying for a leadership role, emphasize decision-making, problem-solving, and initiative.

Employers promote and hire those who go beyond the job description and bring fresh perspectives to the table.

2. Perfect the Art of Storytelling

Most candidates list responsibilities, but great candidates tell impactful stories. To stand out, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to craft responses that make your achievements memorable and measurable.

• Situation: What challenge or opportunity did you face?
• Task: What was your responsibility in that situation?
• Action: What steps did you take to address it?
• Result: What was the measurable impact of your actions?

Examples of strong storytelling:

• Instead of saying, “I managed a team,” say: “I led a team of 10 and implemented a new workflow that increased efficiency by 30%.”
• Instead of saying, “I handled customer issues,” say: “I created a customer feedback strategy that reduced complaints by 40% and improved retention.”
  Telling clear, results-driven stories makes you more persuasive and memorable.

3. Elevate Your Executive Presence

For promotions and senior roles, hiring managers look for executive presence—a blend of confidence, communication, and credibility. Even if you’re not applying for a leadership role, these skills make you stand out.

• Control your body language – Maintain eye contact, use purposeful gestures, and sit with a strong posture.
• Speak with authority – Slow down your speech, avoid filler words, and pause for emphasis.
• Stay calm under pressure – Handle tough questions with grace and poise, even if you don’t know the answer immediately.
• Mirror the interviewer’s energy – Subtly match their tone and pace to create a stronger connection.

Confidence isn’t just about what you say—it’s about how you say it.

4. Master High-Impact Questions

Interviews aren’t just about answering questions; they’re also about asking powerful, strategic questions that show initiative and vision.

Instead of generic questions like, “What’s the company culture like?”, elevate your approach:

• What are the biggest challenges your team is facing right now, and how can this role help solve them?”
• “What does success look like for someone in this role within the first 6-12 months?”
• “How do you see this department evolving over the next few years, and how can I contribute to that growth?”

Asking thoughtful questions positions you as proactive and forward-thinking, reinforcing your value.

5. Close with Impact: The Final Impression Matters

Even if the interview has gone well, your closing can reinforce or weaken your candidacy. Instead of a generic, “Thank you for your time,” leave a strong final impression:

• Summarize your key strengths – “I’m excited about this opportunity because of my experience in X and my passion for Y. I’m confident I can contribute by doing Z.”
• Reaffirm enthusiasm – “After speaking with you, I’m even more convinced that this is the right fit for me.”
• Address any concerns – “Is there anything about my experience or background that you’d like me to clarify further?”
• Express interest in the next steps – “I’d love to know more about the next steps in the process.”

A strong closing statement can tip the scales in your favour, leaving the interviewer with a confident, lasting impression.

Final Thoughts: Elevate Your Interview, Elevate Your Career

Moving from a good interview to a great one is about preparation, confidence, and positioning yourself as a strategic asset. By shifting your mindset, telling impactful stories, refining your executive presence, asking high-impact questions, and closing with confidence, you can elevate your interview performance and increase your chances of landing that next-level role.

If you want expert guidance to refine your interview skills, I can help. As an interview coach, I specialize in helping professionals master their presence, improve their answers, and build confidence for high-stakes interviews.

📩 Get in touch today to take your interview skills from good to great—and land the career move you deserve!