Why You Keep Failing Interviews, And How to Actually Prepare

“You walked out of another interview unsure of how it went. Again.”

If this scenario feels familiar, you’re not alone. Many capable people leave interviews feeling defeated, wondering if they’re just “bad at interviews.” In reality, it’s usually not a personal flaw, it's a preparation problem. The good news? You can fix that. Below, we unpack three common interview prep mistakes and how to correct them. By the end, you’ll know the five core questions that can anchor your preparation (and help you finally ace that next interview).

‍Mistake 1: Winging It or Over-Rehearsing Generic Answers

Some candidates stroll into an interview with zero preparation essentially winging it. Others swing to the opposite extreme, memorizing cookie-cutter answers word-for-word. Both approaches can cost you the job. Walking into an interview unprepared is never a good idea; you risk rambling, missing key points, or freezing up when a tough question comes. On the flip side, over-rehearsing can make your answers sound scripted. Interviewers can tell when a candidate is reciting lines instead of speaking naturally. In fact, if you memorize answers verbatim, a slight twist in the question can throw you off entirely. The goal of preparation isn’t to deliver a perfect monologue, it's to come across as a confident, genuine version of yourself.

How to fix it: Find the middle ground. Do your homework and practice, but don’t script every sentence. Outline key points and stories you want to highlight, rather than memorizing answers word-for-word. This way, you’ll be prepared yet adaptable. One technique is to know your story, not a script. Be comfortable talking about your background and achievements in a conversational way. That preparation will give you a solid structure, while still allowing your personality to come through. Remember, even strong answers lose impact if they feel robotic, so aim for preparedness and authenticity.

Mistake 2: Not Understanding What the Question Is Really Asking

Interview questions often have a purpose beneath the surface. If you take questions at face value and don’t address the underlying concern, you might give an answer that misses the mark. For example, when an interviewer asks “Why do you want to work here?”, they’re not looking for a generic response about needing a job, they want to see that you’ve researched the company and can connect your talents to their needs. If you answer with something vague, you’re not actually addressing what they care about.

Similarly, you might get a politely worded question that’s actually probing for potential red flags. An interviewer won’t bluntly ask, “What’s wrong with you as a candidate?” but they may ask about a gap in your resume or why you left your last job. In essence, they are trying to find out if there’s a risk in hiring you. If you don’t recognize that subtext, you might stumble through a shaky explanation. Or consider a behavioral question like, “Tell me about a time you had a conflict at work.” This isn’t an invitation to bad-mouth a coworker; it’s testing how you handle difficult situations and work with others.

How to fix it: Before you answer, pause and think about why they are asking this. What skill, quality, or concern might they be evaluating? If you’re unsure, consider the role’s requirements. For instance, if they ask about a challenging project, they probably want to hear how you overcome obstacles and demonstrate resilience. Read between the lines. Once you identify the intent, tailor your answer to address it. In the “Why do you want to work here?” For example, you’d talk about specific aspects of the company or role that excite you and how your background fits those. If asked about a resume gap or weakness, focus on how you dealt with it and what you learned (turning it into a positive). By understanding what’s really being asked, you’ll give much more compelling answers that hit the target.

Mistake 3: Not Practicing Out Loud or Tailoring Your Answers

Thinking through answers in your head is one thing; saying them out loud is another. Many people never practice speaking their answers before the interview, and it shows. You might know what you want to say, but the first time you actually articulate it shouldn’t be in front of the interviewer. Without practice, you risk jumbling your words or rambling off-track. Practicing your responses out loud (ideally with a friend or mentor in a mock interview) can significantly improve your clarity, pacing, and confidence. It helps you smooth out phrasing and get comfortable talking about yourself. As one career expert notes, even doing a mock interview with a friend and getting feedback can ensure your delivery feels natural and not stiff.

Another frequent error is failing to tailor your answers to the specific company or role. Reeling off generic answers (“I’m a hard-working team player…”) that could apply anywhere won’t impress anyone. Interviewers value candidates who’ve put thought into how they fit this job at this organization. They can tell when you’re using vague platitudes versus when you’re providing relevant examples. For instance, instead of vaguely saying, “I’m a great communicator” or “I work well under pressure,” back it up with a concrete example that matters to the role. You might say, “In my last project, our timeline was cut in half, but I coordinated daily check-ins and kept the team calm we still delivered on time.” Specifics like that demonstrate your abilities far better than buzzwords. In the same vein, avoid canned, one-size-fits-all stories. If you’re applying to a fintech startup, the interviewer doesn’t need to hear an example from your college volunteer experience unless you can clearly tie it to the job’s requirements. Tailor what you highlight about your experience to match what the employer is looking for.

How to fix it: Practice, practice, practice out loud. Don’t just scribble notes or rehearse silently. Grab a friend or record yourself and go through common questions. This will help you hear how you actually sound and make improvements. You’ll become more concise and reduce those “ums” and run-on sentences. Also, research the company and role so you can personalize your answers. Use details from the job description and company mission in your responses. Even a strong answer can fall flat if it’s too generic, so always frame your stories to show how you can solve their problems or contribute to their goals. This level of tailoring shows that you’re not just looking for a job, but this job is a distinction hiring managers appreciate. And one more pro tip: prepare a couple of thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer at the end. Not having any questions is a common mistake that can signal disinterest. Show that you’re engaged and curious about the role and company (just avoid trivial questions you could have answered with a quick Google search).

How to Actually Prepare: The 5 Core Questions Framework

Alright, so you know what not to do. Now here’s how to set yourself up for success. Rather than trying to anticipate every possible question under the sun, focus on mastering answers to the five core questions that underpin most interviews. Career experts have observed that almost every interview question is really a variation of a few basic themes. In other words, if you prepare for these fundamental questions, you’ll be equipped to handle the curveballs too. In fact, practicing responses to standard questions in these core areas can boost your confidence significantly. Think of this as the 20% of effort that yields 80% of the results.

So, what are the five questions you should build your preparation around? They may vary slightly depending on your field, but generally, you should be ready to ace answers to the following:

1. “Tell me about yourself.” This common opener is your chance to deliver a concise, focused summary of your professional story. It sets the tone for the rest of the interview, so you want to highlight who you are as a candidate and why you’re a great fit for the role all in a brief, engaging way. (In fact, how you answer this question can spell the difference between landing the job or being shown the door.) Focus on your key relevant experiences and accomplishments, ending with what you’re looking for now and how it connects to this opportunity. Tip: Keep it professional and tailored; this isn’t the time to recount your life history or hobbies, but rather to present your career elevator pitch.

2. “Why do you want this job (or want to work here)?” Expect a question about your motivation for joining the company, because employers genuinely want to know that you care about this role – not just any role. A strong answer demonstrates that you’ve done your homework: reference the company’s mission, product, or recent work, and connect it to your own career goals or values. For example, you might say, “I’ve been following XYZ’s growth in the renewable energy space, and I’m excited about your commitment to sustainable innovation. With my background in solar project management, I’m eager to contribute to your upcoming initiatives.” Show enthusiasm and alignment; the interviewer should feel that you’re choosing them on purpose, not just because you need a job.

3. “What is your biggest accomplishment?” Interviewers often ask about a proud achievement to gauge what you consider success and how you achieved it. This is your chance to spotlight a relevant win that shows you have the skills and drive needed for the job. Choose an example that highlights a key strength or skill set for the role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to give your story a clear beginning and end. For instance, “In my last marketing campaign, our leads were dropping (Situation), so I analyzed the funnel (Task), revamped our social media strategy (Action), and as a result we boosted lead flow by 30% in one quarter (Result).” Make sure to pick a story that’s relevant to the job description – relevance matters more than impressing them with something unrelated. And be ready for follow-up questions about your role in the success, what you learned, or challenges you overcame.

4. “What is your biggest weakness (or tell me about a failure/mistake)?” This notoriously tricky question is designed to test your self-awareness and honesty. The biggest mistake here is claiming you have no weaknesses or disguising a strength as a “weakness” (“I just work too hard!”). Interviewers see through that. Instead, pick a genuine area you’ve struggled with in the past, but immediately follow up with what you’ve done to improve. For example, “I used to have trouble delegating tasks. I’d end up doing things myself and getting overwhelmed. I realized this was holding my team back, so I took a course on project management and started using new tools to track tasks. Now, I make it a point to distribute work based on each team member’s strengths, and it’s made us all more productive.” This kind of answer acknowledges a real weakness but shows growth and proactiveness. If your interviewer is politely probing something like a gap in your resume or a less flattering aspect of your background, apply a similar tactic: be honest about it, but pivot to the steps you took to address the issue and what you learned. The key is to stay positive and frame it as a learning experience, not a lingering flaw.

5. “Why should we hire you?” Some interviews end with a question like this, or you might hear it as “What makes you the right candidate for this position?” This is basically your chance to sell yourself and tie everything together. It can feel awkward if you’re not used to being this direct about your strengths, but it’s important to have a compelling answer. The best approach is to concisely summarize how your skills, experience, and enthusiasm align with the job requirements. You might structure it as: “I believe I’m the right fit for a few key reasons. First, _______ (your technical skill or experience relevant to the role), which I’ve proven by _______ (specific accomplishment). Second, I’m _______ (a soft skill or trait, like a fast learner or great collaborator), as seen in _______ (brief example). Finally, I’m really excited about _______ (something about the company/product/industry), and I’m motivated to contribute to it.” Essentially, you’re combining your understanding of the role with your top selling points. This answer should be tailored for each interview – it shows you understand what they need and that you bring exactly those things to the table. If you can nail this question, you leave a strong final impression of confidence and fit.

By focusing your prep around these five questions, you cover the vast majority of what interviewers are really looking for. Almost every other question is a spin-off or follow-up to one of these themes. When you have these core answers down (and have practiced delivering them smoothly), you’ll find it much easier to handle unexpected questions or curveballs. You’ll also feel less overwhelmed, because you’re building on a solid foundation instead of trying to cram answers to 50 different questions.

Final tip: Always remember that preparation builds confidence. When you know you have a strong story and clear points for each of these core questions, you won’t be thrown by the little things. You can walk into your next interview feeling more self-assured, ready to pivot if needed (because you understand the purpose behind questions), and able to showcase the best version of yourself. That confidence and clarity is often what sets successful candidates apart.

Ready to Ace Your Next Interview?

If you’re tired of walking out of interviews feeling unsure, it’s time to change how you prepare. We’ve created a free resource to help you do exactly that.

‍Download the Job Hunt Kit
‍A comprehensive toolkit that includes a step-by-step Interview Prep Guide (with these core questions and more), resume and cover letter templates, an application tracker, and even tips on managing job search stress. It’s everything we wish jobseekers had when preparing for roles beyond borders.

Don’t leave your next opportunity to chance. Grab the kit, practice with the framework above, and walk into your upcoming interviews with confidence and a game plan. Good luck you’ve got this!

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