This is Part 2 of my 9-part series: The Behavioral Interview Game Plan. [View the Full Series Roadmap]
Preparing for a behavioral interview shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. When I coach folks, my goal is to replace that “pre-interview jitter” with a calm, focused confidence. To do that, we use a simple, four-step strategy to organize your thoughts and your experience.
Think of these as our four milestones on the way to a great interview:
- Identify the Key Attributes:We’ll look at the role you’re applying for and figure out the specific attributes the team is actually looking for.
- Reflect on Your Wins: We’ll look back at your career and find the moments where you demonstrated those exact qualities.
- Build Your Story Library: Using the STAR(L) method, we’ll structure your experiences into clear, impactful narratives.
- Find Your Flow: We’ll practice until these stories feel like natural conversations, not rehearsed scripts.
Moving from “Memorized” to “Fluent”
The final step—practice—is where the magic happens. I always suggest practicing out loud, perhaps in front of a mirror or with a friend. The goal isn’t to recite a story from memory like a robot; the goal is to become so familiar with your own “wins” that you can share them naturally.
By investing time in these stories now, you’ll feel much calmer when the interview starts. Even if you get a slightly unexpected question or feel a moment of nerves, having these stories ready means the conversation will just flow. You’ll be able to focus on connecting with your interviewer rather than struggling to remember details.
What’s Next?
We’re in this together, and in the next post, we’re going to get practical. We’ll take that entry-level iOS developer role we looked at in Post 1 and identify the key attributes that the hiring manager is looking for.
Let’s chat if you’re serious about leveling up your career and finding the right behavioral interview coaching for tech.
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.