So Tell Me About a Time…” — How to Answer the Hardest Interview Questions Like a Pro (Without Sounding Robotic)

Jus Mellie
Nov 14
3 min read

We’ve all been there. You’re in an interview, feeling good — and then the hiring manager leans in and hits you with that one question that makes your stomach drop.

“Tell me about a time you failed.”“What’s your biggest weakness?”“Why should we hire you?”

Cue the mental freeze. The heart race. The overthinking.

Sis, as someone who’s sat on the other side of that table for 20+ years, I want to tell you a secret: it’s not that you don’t have the answer — it’s that you haven’t learned how to translate your story into their language yet.

Let’s fix that.

✨ Why the STAR Method Isn’t Enough Anymore

You’ve probably heard of the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It’s solid — but it’s also stiff. It makes your answer sound rehearsed, and honestly, hiring managers can spot a copy-and-paste STAR story from a mile away.

What I teach my clients is a softer, more natural approach — one that keeps your confidence intact while showing real emotional intelligence and ownership.

I call it the REAL Method™.

💡 The REAL Method: Reset, Extract, Answer, Link

R – Reset the moment.Take a breath. Smile. Don’t rush. Show you’re composed.Example: “That’s a great question — let me think about a time that really challenged me…”

This gives your brain a second to settle — and signals calm confidence to the interviewer.

E – Extract the example.Choose one story that fits the question and highlights a strength.Example: “I remember when our team missed a key deadline during a product rollout. I was leading the communication side…”

Don’t overexplain. Just pull out the part that connects to the skill they care about (leadership, communication, problem-solving, etc.).

A – Answer with intention.Describe your action, not your title.Example: “I took ownership, met with each stakeholder to reset expectations, and helped our team re-prioritize the deliverables.”

Speak in verbs — words that show you did something.

L – Link it to the lesson.Close by connecting it to the job you’re applying for now.Example: “That experience taught me how to stay composed under pressure, and it’s helped me manage projects more strategically ever since. It’s one of the reasons I’m drawn to this role — you value leadership through adaptability.”

That’s how you make your answer land. You’ve taken them from story → skill → strategy.

🔥 Let’s Break It Down with an Example

Question: “Tell me about a time you failed.”

Using the REAL Method:

Reset: “That’s a great question — failure has been one of my biggest teachers.”
Extract: “A few years ago, I underestimated how long a client project would take, and our timeline slipped by a week.”
Answer: “I immediately took responsibility, called the client, and restructured the project plan with more checkpoints. It built more trust long-term.”
Link: “Now I always build in buffers and communicate earlier — which I think aligns perfectly with your focus on proactive leadership.”

See how that sounds confident and human?

👑 HR Sister Talk

As your HR sister, let me be real — interview nerves are normal. But nerves are just energy. You can redirect them into presence.

Here’s how:

Smile when you talk. It naturally warms your tone.
Keep water nearby — pauses make you look confident, not unsure.
Record yourself practicing your top 3 stories. You’ll hear where you rush or under-explain.
Write down one word after each story that reminds you of your lesson — that’s your link.

When you go into your next interview, don’t aim to be perfect — aim to be present. They don’t need a robot with STAR answers; they need a real one with REAL stories.

💬 Bonus: 3 Common Questions + REAL Prompts

“What’s your biggest weakness?”→ Reset: Take a breath.→ Extract: Pick a growth story, not a flaw.→ Answer: Describe what you learned.→ Link: Tie it to self-awareness.
“Why are you leaving your job?”→ Reset: Keep it graceful.→ Extract: Focus on what you’re moving toward, not running from.→ Answer: Share your “why.”→ Link: Align it with this new role’s purpose.
“Tell me about a conflict at work.”→ Reset: Show maturity.→ Extract: Choose a real example — not drama.→ Answer: Focus on communication and resolution.→ Link: End with the skill that grew from it.

🌿 Final Word

You’ve got the experience. You’ve got the receipts. Now it’s just about learning to tell your story through clarity, confidence, and connection.

Remember, REAL recognizes real — and that’s exactly who they want to hire.

Want to go deeper?

Grab The CEO of Your Life Playbook for $2.22 until 11/22 — it includes prompts to track your wins and build the stories that’ll get you hired, promoted, or paid more.

Your HR Bestie Mellie!!