Key Elements of a Strong Interview Answer

How to Answer Interview Questions Using the SSIP™ Framework Stop rambling. Start connecting. Most people answer interview questions with a messy mix of stories, jargon, or way too much backstory. Here’s a better way: SSIP™. 🔹 S – Story Set the scene. Give just enough context for your answer to make sense. Think: What was happening? What was the challenge? 🔹 S – Skills What tools, techniques, or traits did you bring to the table? Focus on what YOU actually did. 🔹 I – Impact What changed because of your actions? Use metrics, outcomes, or tangible results. Make it real. 🔹 P – Positioning Tie it back to the role. Why does this story matter for them? This is where most people fall short. Example Q: “Tell me about a time you solved a problem.” Here’s what this looks like in action: 🟪 Story At my last company, our internal ticketing system was overloaded, and the IT team was constantly missing SLA deadlines. It caused a lot of friction across departments. 🟪 Skills I partnered with IT to audit the top 3 ticket categories, analyzed peak request times, and created a lightweight intake form using Google Forms that auto-routed tickets based on urgency and function. 🟪 Impact That change reduced ticket volume by 32% and helped the IT team go from hitting 65% of SLA targets to 91% in just one quarter. 🟪 Positioning This matters because I know your team is scaling fast, and systems will break under pressure if they're not optimized. I’m not just a problem solver—I think ahead and design solutions that grow with the business. 👏 That’s what makes your answer stick. It’s clear, results-backed, and tailored to the role—not just a humblebrag. — Follow me, Erica Rivera, CPCC, CPRW, for interview strategies, resume rewrites, and career clarity with bite. I teach high-achieving professionals how to pivot with power—without starting over.

I've interviewed nearly 100 people over the last few months for openings at CNN. Here's what the most successful candidates did well: 1. They told a clear story. Every answer had a beginning, middle and end (or a conflict, action & solution). They didn't repeat themselves and didn't include a lot of extraneous information. For example, to answer the common question "What's a mistake you've made recently?" the strongest candidates started with a BRIEF summary of where & when the mistake happened, walked through the actions that led to the mistake, explained clearly how they handled the error and then ended with what they learned from the incident. The worst candidates monologued; I had one who spoke for 16 minutes straight after the first question. If you find yourself rambling, stop yourself, take a deep breath and apologize. Then try to summarize your answer to the question again in a few sentences. 2. They had examples ready to share. Every question is an opportunity to let the interviewer know about a great story you produced, or a time when you shined. Have a list of your best moments handy so you can weave those concrete examples into your answers in an authentic way. 3. They showed their passion. Employers want to know that you're excited about the opportunities this job presents. Find a chance to share what motivates you and/or your career origin story (aka why you became a journalist/video editor/writer/etc.) One of my favorite candidates ended the interview by thanking us for our time and expressing how much they were interested in tackling the challenges the job would bring. 4. They acknowledged what they don't know. For example, when asked what they would do differently if they were on the team, one candidate explained what they would do but caveated it with the fact that they are viewing our content as a single user, not knowing our strategy and how data informs it. That showed me they understand audiences are diverse, and would lean into data to inform their strategy as a leader. Another smart candidate said they haven't had the opportunity to use our content management system but "couldn't wait" to get their hands on it and learn quickly. I'd rather have a fast learner than someone who knows the current system but can't pick up the next one.

I have done more than 150 interviews and 300+ mock interviews in my career Most candidates make the same mistakes. Let me save you some time:  1. Keep your answers concise and clear. Frameworks like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) help you tell your story without losing focus. 2. You don’t need to memorize the company's history, but understanding their challenges and goals makes you stand out. 3. If you can’t explain why you want the job, they’ll move on to someone who can. Show them it’s more than “just another application.”  4. Interviewers don’t mind hearing about failures, they care about your growth. Show accountability and what you learned. 5. Numbers matter. Instead of “I improved processes,” say, “I improved processes, cutting turnaround time by 20%.” Specifics stick. 6. “Tell me about a time…” is coming. Prepare examples that show problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership. 7. If you don’t know the answer, think out loud. Interviewers often care more about how you think than whether you’re perfect. 8. You win bonus points when you answer “Tell Me About Yourself” well. Your answer sets the tone. Highlight your most relevant skills and why you’re the right fit. Don’t list your resume, be confident as you tell your story. 9. “Umm, no, I think you covered it” is the wrong answer. Prepare 2–3 good questions that show curiosity and engagement. 10. Interviewing is a skill. You can’t wing it and expect results. Practice with a friend, mentor, or mock interviewer, every round makes you sharper If you’d like to prepare for your next interview with an expert, let me know. Maybe I can help you. Share this post if you find it useful.