As recruitment professionals, we have the difficult task of delivering disappointing news to candidates who weren’t successful in securing roles they were passionate about. If you have recently been interviewed by one of our team, this means you have made it through a rigorous process and were a top contender for the role. The reality is that clients can only select one candidate, and they will each make this selection based on their own criteria.
For context, for a corporate role we will typically receive between 85 – 100 applications, with high demand positions sometimes attracting over 300 resumes. With those odds, even qualified candidates frequently face rejection.
What separates those who consistently advance through interviews from those who struggle? More importantly, how can you join the ranks of candidates who confidently showcase their true potential?
At Carroll Consulting, we’ve observed that many unsuccessful candidates possessed the qualifications but simply couldn’t communicate their value effectively under pressure. The good news? This is a learnable skill.
Strategies for transforming your interview performance
We believe strongly that no experience is ever wasted. Even unsuccessful interviews provide valuable learning opportunities. Here’s how to leverage these insights to dramatically improve your interview performance:
1. Master the behavioural interview
Behavioural interviewing remains the gold standard for assessing candidates. At Carroll Consulting we utilise a unique approach to assessing candidates during the interview process, focusing on:
- Understanding your background, where you have come from and why (key drivers)
- Identifying repeating patterns of behaviour
- What would your manager say you are good at and can improve?
- Your reasons for leaving previous roles
To help us make a true assessment on culture-fit, it’s important to master the art of answering behavioural based interview questions through storytelling. We need to understand the exact actions that you took in a particular situation and what the outcomes were. A simple analogy for providing a thoughtful response to a behavioural based interview question is the STAR method:
- Situation: Briefly describe the context
- Task: Explain your specific responsibility
- Action: Detail the steps you took
- Result: Share the positive outcome with specific metrics when possible
What makes this approach powerful is how it transforms vague claims like “I’m good with difficult clients” into compelling stories that demonstrate your abilities in action. The most memorable candidates aren’t those with perfect answers to every question—they’re the ones who tell compelling stories about their professional journey.
2. Utilise Quality Online Resources
There’s an abundance of interview preparation resources available, but quality varies significantly. YouTube offers excellent tutorials on interview techniques, particularly around behavioural interviewing. Find presenters whose style resonates with you rather than trying to mimic someone else’s approach.
The key is authenticity—being yourself while clearly articulating your experiences in a structured, meaningful way that highlights your achievements.
- Consider Professional Interview Coaching
If you’ve followed these self-help tips but still struggle with interview confidence, consider working with a professional coach. A skilled coach can:
- Provide personalised feedback in a low-pressure environment
- Help you identify blind spots in your communication
- Facilitate realistic role-playing scenarios
- Develop strategies for managing interview anxiety
Conclusion
Interview excellence isn’t about pretending to be someone you’re not—it’s about becoming the most articulate version of your authentic self. Here are three actions you can do today to brush up on your interviewing skills…
- Prepare 5-7 stories that demonstrate different skills and can be adapted to various interview questions.
- Structure them using the STAR method
- Record yourself answering common interview questions (LinkedIn has a great resource to assist with this)
Next time you face a “no,” don’t let it derail you—use it to your advantage. Every rejection is an opportunity to build a story of resilience and grit. After all, you’re in the driver’s seat of your career—own the journey, bumps and all.
Check out these other related Blogs on our website:
Questions I wished I asked in THAT interview! – Carroll Consulting
Are you considering your next move in Professional Services?
Here is how to make your LinkedIn profile work for you. – Carroll Consulting
Be curious, ask questions and show creativity – Carroll Consulting
Author: Alexandra Monks