Landing an interview is an achievement, but standing out in that interview is what will set you apart from other candidates. Being memorable in a job interview doesn’t just mean being likeable or answering questions correctly. It means leaving a lasting impression that showcases your unique value and professional capability. But how can you do this effectively, especially when most interviews follow a similar script?
The key lies in the details: how you frame your experiences, the specificity of your answers, and your ability to engage with the interviewer. By focusing on strategies like the SHER method and emphasizing personal, vivid examples of overcoming challenges, you can make sure your interview leaves a mark.
Use the SHER Method to Structure Your Answers
The SHER method, which stands for Situation, Hurdle, Endgame, and Reflection, is a powerful tool for making your responses to interview questions clear, engaging, and, most importantly, memorable. Here’s how it works:
Situation: Start by describing the context. Be concise but specific—paint a clear picture of the scenario. For example, rather than saying, “I worked on a project,” you might say, “I was leading a cross-departmental team to launch a new marketing campaign, and we had just eight weeks to go live.”
Hurdle: This is where you introduce the challenge or obstacle. The hurdle is what makes your story compelling because it shows that you faced difficulty. Describe the problem clearly—whether it was a tight deadline, limited resources, or an uncooperative team member.
Endgame: Next, explain how you approached the challenge and the actions you took. This should highlight your problem-solving skills, adaptability, and leadership. Be specific about the steps you took to resolve the issue, ensuring that it ties back to the core requirements of the role you're applying for.
Reflection: Finally, this step distinguishes you from other candidates. Reflection shows that you learned and grew from the experience. It also demonstrates emotional intelligence. Share how this challenge made you better at your job and how you’ve applied these lessons in subsequent roles.
By using the SHER method, you turn generic answers into dynamic, story-driven responses that engage the interviewer and help them remember you long after the interview ends.
Be Specific, Not Generic
One of the quickest ways to fade into the background during an interview is to give vague, nonspecific answers. For example, if you’re asked to describe a time you led a project, don’t simply say, “I led a team to meet our deadline.” Instead, give a detailed account: “I led a team of five to deliver a software upgrade two weeks ahead of schedule, which reduced client onboarding time by 20%.”
Specificity adds credibility to your story. It gives the interviewer a sense of your actual impact, not just what you say you did. Numbers, tangible results, and concrete examples will resonate far more than generalizations. Specifics also make your answers more engaging. An interviewer is more likely to remember the candidate who talked about reducing client onboarding time by 20% than one who just mentioned meeting deadlines.
And the data backs this up. In the Leadership IQ study “Words That Cost You The Interview,” highly rated candidate responses were longer, more specific, and used fewer adverbs than poorly rated answers.
Tell a Story, Don’t Just Give Facts
People remember stories more than they remember facts. In an interview, think of your answers as opportunities to tell stories about your professional life. For instance, instead of listing skills or achievements, narrate the journey that led to them. This doesn’t mean rambling or providing unnecessary details, but it does mean structuring your answers in a way that captures attention.
When asked about a challenge, for example, dive into the context, the stakes, and the emotions involved. What did the situation mean for the team or company? What did it mean for you personally? Did you feel pressure? Did you need to motivate others? By drawing the interviewer into the narrative of your experience, you make your answer not just informative but memorable.
Share How You Overcame Hurdles
Interviewers are interested in seeing how you handle adversity because every job has its challenges. Sharing how you’ve overcome hurdles—whether they’re personal challenges, resource constraints, or team conflicts—demonstrates resilience and problem-solving skills.
The SHER method comes in handy here again. When sharing how you’ve overcome hurdles, focus on the specifics of what you did and why. Did you gather input from colleagues? Did you find a new solution that hadn’t been tried before? Were you balancing competing priorities? Highlighting the unique actions you took to turn a problem into an opportunity shows your value as someone who can navigate obstacles and lead a team through tough situations.
Ask Insightful Questions
Being memorable isn’t just about the answers you give—it’s also about the questions you ask. When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, this is your chance to shine. Skip the typical questions like “What’s the company culture like?” Instead, ask thoughtful, forward-looking questions that show you’re genuinely interested in the role and how you can contribute.
Some examples of insightful questions include:
- “What’s the biggest challenge the team is facing right now, and how can I help address it if hired?”
- “What does success look like in this role after six months to a year?”
- “How does the company support professional growth and development?”
These types of questions not only show your commitment to the role but also demonstrate your strategic thinking and interest in helping the company succeed.
By using techniques like the SHER method to tell vivid stories, being specific in your answers, sharing how you’ve overcome challenges, asking insightful questions, and making strong first and last impressions, you can ensure that you’ll be the candidate that leaves a lasting impact.
