This is Part 9 of my 9-part series: The Behavioral Interview Game Plan. [View the Full Series Roadmap]
We’ve done the heavy lifting together. We’ve analyzed the job, mapped out your wins, and built your “Super-Stories” using the STAR(L) method. Now comes the part that truly brings it all together: Practice.
It might feel a little silly at first, but practicing out loud is the best way to move from being “prepared” to being “fluent.”
My Favorite Way to Practice
- Talk to the Mirror: Stand in front of a mirror and tell your stories out loud. Hearing the words come out of your mouth helps you catch awkward phrasing and find a more natural rhythm. I often find myself making small edits to my stories just by hearing how they sound.
- The “Power Through” Rule: If you get tripped up while practicing, don’t start over. In a real interview, you won’t have the luxury of a “do-over.” If you stumble, take a breath, find your place, and keep going. Rehearsing how to recover is just as important as rehearsing the story itself.
- Run the Checklist: Once you feel comfortable with your stories, go back to the checklist we built here. Methodically run through each quality and tell the story that proves it. Yes, it might feel a little repetitive if one Super-Story covers five different points—but that’s exactly the point of practice!
You’ve Got This
By the time you finish this process, you won’t be reading from a script. You’ll be sharing your genuine career wins with a future peer. You’ll be able to focus on the person sitting across from you (or on the other side of the screen) because you already know that your experience is valuable and your stories are ready.
I hope you’ve found this series helpful as you prepare for your next big step. I’m always here to cheer you on, so please feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback.
Happy practicing!
Lee
If you’re ready to take your preparation to the next level with 1-on-1 feedback, let’s chat. I specialize in behavioral interview coaching for tech to ensure you walk into that room feeling confident and ready to land the offer.
I've spent over 25 years navigating the software engineering landscape—scaling teams, fostering well-being, and mentoring the next generation of technical leaders. After 6.5 years at Google, I built a coaching practice to help talented engineers and techies unlock their potential and build the momentum that transforms careers. I'm the coach who meets you at your pivotal moments and helps you make the most of them.