Keeping Your Interview Answers Sharp and Focused

One of the biggest mistakes leaders make in interviews is talking for too long. When answers drift, repeat, or lose focus, the interviewer can forget the main point or feel that the question was never really answered. Clear, concise communication is a leadership signal, and it is something boards and executive teams value highly.

A useful way to manage this is the traffic light rule. The first thirty seconds of your answer is the green light. This is where you deliver your headline, the key point, and the impact. It is your chance to grab attention and set the direction of the story. The next thirty seconds is the amber light, where you slow down and add just enough context to reinforce your credibility by describing the situation, what you did, and the result. If you find yourself still talking after sixty to ninety seconds, you are in red light territory. That is your cue to stop and allow the interviewer to decide if they want more detail.

Strong leaders know when to pause and create space. Brevity and clarity signal confidence and judgement. Using this structure helps you stay focused and ensures your message lands with precision.

Practical tip
Practice answering a few common interview questions using the traffic light rule. Aim to deliver your main point in the first thirty seconds and stop once you have made your case unless you are asked to go deeper.

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