The Anatomy of an Interview — and How to Ace Every Stage

Interviews might feel unpredictable, but after watching hundreds of clients go through them, I’ve realised something surprising: almost every interview follows the same rhythm.

It doesn’t matter what company or industry — the structure is remarkably consistent. Once you understand the anatomy of an interview, you can walk in calm, confident, and ready for whatever they throw at you.

(Jump to the end to watch my video explanation of this concept!)

Here’s how it usually flows — and how to nail each part.

1. The Opening: “Tell me about yourself.”

Almost every interview starts here. It seems like a small talk question, but it sets the tone for everything that follows.

The key is structure. Don’t ramble through your career history. Instead, frame your answer around three key skills or superpowers that align with the role.

For example:

“There are three areas I’ve really excelled in throughout my career — strategy and execution, studio operations, and leadership.”

Then, briefly illustrate each point. This gives your answer shape and focus — and plants the same three ideas you’ll reinforce later in your Outro Pitch.

2. The Middle: Technical & Competency Questions

This is where it gets detailed. You’ll move into “tell me about a time when…” or “how would you approach…” questions.

Here’s how to handle them:

• Use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
• Add a learning at the end: “Here’s what I learned and how I applied it moving forward.” That small addition shows reflection and growth — something modern companies love.
• When asked “How would you…” questions, speak with quiet authority. Imagine you’re consulting: explain how you’d approach it, then go one layer deeper and share what you’d consider while doing it. And don’t forget to give them an example. 

3. The Closing: Questions & Outro Pitch

At the end, they’ll ask, “Do you have any questions for us?”

Ask things that show you’re thinking about impact — not logistics. Try: “What does success look like in this role in the first six months?” or “What qualities have you seen in people who’ve thrived here?”

Once they’ve answered (and don’t leave this to the final 30 seconds)...

Say:

“Thanks so much for the conversation. Before we wrap, I’d love to take 30 seconds to summarise how I think I can add value for you in this role…”

Then repeat your three key strengths from the opening. It bookends your interview beautifully and leaves a clear picture of who you are.

Bottom line:

Every interview has a beginning, middle, and end. When you know the structure, you can stop reacting — and start leading the conversation.

I recorded a quick 10-minute video explaining exactly this concept of the Anatomy of an Interview. You can watch it on the link below. Enjoy!  

Watch Anatomy of an Interview HERE