What Are 3 Things You Can Improve On Job Interview

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Interviewers Ask About Your Areas To Improve
3. The Three Things To Improve: Overview
4. 1. Communication & Storytelling
5. 2. Preparation & Relevance
6. 3. Presence & Confidence
7. Putting It Together: A Practical Roadmap To Improve Interview Outcomes
8. Two Lists: Core Actions and Practice Plan
9. Advanced Techniques and Common Interview Scenarios
10. Integrating Interview Improvements With Career and Mobility Goals
11. Tools, Templates, and Practice Resources
12. Mistakes Professionals Make And How To Avoid Them
13. How to Track Progress and Build Lasting Habits
14. Putting the Roadmap Into Action: A Realistic 30-Day Sprint
15. Conclusion
16. FAQ

Introduction

Most professionals who feel stuck, stressed, or uncertain about their next move underestimate how much small, targeted improvements before an interview change the outcome. Whether you’re pursuing a role abroad, preparing for a leadership position, or transitioning industries, the interview is where preparation, presence, and positioning converge.

Short answer: The three core things to improve for better interview outcomes are (1) how you communicate your story and accomplishments, (2) the depth and relevance of your preparation, and (3) your interview presence and confidence. Improving these areas produces immediate gains: clearer answers, stronger alignment with the role, and a more memorable impression that supports promotions, role changes, or international moves.

This post explains why those three areas matter, breaks each one into practical steps you can implement today, and ties these improvements into a broader roadmap that integrates career strategy with global mobility—so your interview practice supports long-term, sustainable career growth. I’ll draw on frameworks I use as an Author, HR and L&D Specialist, and Career Coach to give you exact exercises, measurement methods, and resources you can apply immediately.

Why Interviewers Ask About Your Areas To Improve

Interviewers are evaluating two things when they ask about weaknesses or improvement areas: your self-awareness and your growth orientation. Self-awareness shows you understand where you add value and where you need development. Growth orientation signals you’re intentional about getting better. But beyond that, interviewers want to know how you will perform in the role and within the company culture. The better you can articulate improvement plans and evidence of progress, the more you move the conversation from “risk” to “investment.”

For professionals with international aspirations, interviewers also look for adaptability and cultural intelligence—two qualities that tie closely to the three improvement areas I recommend. Preparing for interviews with a global context in mind improves your chance of landing roles that include relocation, remote leadership, or cross-border collaboration.

The Three Things To Improve: Overview

1. Communication & Storytelling: Deliver concise, compelling examples that demonstrate your impact.
2. Preparation & Relevance: Research the company, role, and interviewer; tailor answers to their needs.
3. Presence & Confidence: Manage nerves, nonverbal cues, and salary/expectation conversations.

These three pillars work together. Strong storytelling without targeted preparation can feel generic. Deep preparation without presence may be drowned out by nerves. Presence without concrete examples won’t convince a skeptical hiring manager. Below I unpack each pillar into theory, practical steps, practice exercises, measurement, and common mistakes.

1. Communication & Storytelling

Why this matters

Hiring decisions are made when an interviewer believes you can solve their problem. That belief forms when you present clear examples of how you solved similar problems, the measurable results you produced, and how your approach would transfer to their context. You’re not simply listing duties— you’re crafting evidence.

What good storytelling looks like

Good interview storytelling is concise, structured, and outcome-focused. It makes the interviewer think, “That’s exactly what we need.” Three qualities define it: clarity of situation, relevance of action, and quantifiable outcome. Use an evidence-first mindset: state the result or impact early, then explain how you produced it.

Frameworks you can apply

• STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) with an inverted emphasis—start with Result, then summarize Action for clarity.
• CAR (Context, Action, Result) for faster responses when under time pressure.
• PAR (Problem, Action, Result) for problem-solving roles.

Each framework keeps your answer focused and outcome-oriented. Practice by re-shaping 10 core career moments—projects, conflicts, leadership moments—into these templates.

Practical steps: reshape your stories in 30–60 minutes per example

1. Choose a meaningful example: pick moments with measurable results or clear learning outcomes.
2. Write one-sentence outcomes: “Reduced monthly billing errors by 35%.”
3. Map the compact STAR: 1–2 sentences for situation and task, 2–3 sentences for actions, 1 sentence for result and reflection.
4. Add one reflection sentence: what you learned and how you would apply that learning in the new role.

Turn each example into a 60–90 second verbal version and a 200–300 word written version. The verbal version helps with interview delivery; the written version refines clarity.

Practice exercises

Record yourself giving three different examples: one leadership, one technical, one conflict-resolution. Watch playback and note filler words, pacing, and whether the result is stated clearly up front. Aim to reduce your answer length by 20% without losing key detail.

How to make technical or data-heavy stories accessible

Translate technical outcomes into stakeholder benefits: instead of “optimized SQL queries reducing runtime by 40%,” say “reduced report generation time from 10 hours to 6 hours, enabling the finance team to close monthly books one day earlier.” This makes technical contributions relevant to business outcomes.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Over-detailing technical steps instead of focusing on impact. Fix: limit action description to 2–3 steps.
• Starting with background and never reaching the result. Fix: use the inverted STAR—state the result first.
• Using jargon that the interviewer doesn’t understand. Fix: ask short clarifying questions about the interviewer’s familiarity when necessary.

Measurement: how to know you improved

Keep a simple log of mock interviews or real interviews. After each, rate your clarity and impact on a 1–5 scale using two metrics: “Result Stated Early” and “Outcome Connected to Business Need.” After four practice sessions, aim for an average of 4+ on both.

2. Preparation & Relevance

Why this matters

Preparation signals respect and alignment. But preparation isn’t about memorizing answers—it’s about mapping the company’s problems and positioning you as the solution. The more directly your examples and questions align with the company’s priorities, the more convincing you appear.

Research you must do, not might do

• Role specifics: responsibilities, required skills, performance measures.
• Company priorities: strategic goals, recent announcements, product direction.
• Team and interviewer context: if you know interviewer names, review their LinkedIn for background—what experiences do they value?
• Market context: competitors, regulatory changes, or market signals affecting the role.

This research should inform your three-to-five tailored stories and the questions you ask at the end.

Turning research into answers

Map each role priority to a story. If the job emphasizes cross-cultural partnerships, bring an example of working across geographies and tie your approach to measurable outcomes. If they value speed and iteration, highlight a time you used experiments to rapidly improve a process.

Tools and resources to streamline preparation

Use a preparation template that lists role priorities, top three company goals, potential objections the interviewer may have, and which of your stories map to each item. Templates reduce cognitive load and ensure you don’t overlook details under pressure. If you need ready-made materials to tighten your application documents, you can download free resume and cover letter templates to ensure your written story supports your verbal one.

How to prepare for international or cross-border interviews

When applying for roles involving relocation or international teams, research the local business norms, working hours, and communication styles. Prepare to address visa status and relocation logistics succinctly: demonstrate that you understand the practicalities and have a proactive plan. If you want structured coaching that includes preparation for interviews with global employers, consider how focused courses can accelerate your readiness—some professionals choose to advance their interview confidence with a focused course.

Practice: a two-hour prep session template

Begin with 30 minutes research to update the preparation template. Spend 45 minutes mapping stories to role priorities. Use 30 minutes to craft three tailored questions to ask the interviewer. Finish with 15 minutes of a mock Q&A focusing on bridging your stories to the role.

Common preparation pitfalls

• Over-generalizing: answers feel like they could be for any company. Fix: reference specific product, initiative, or value.
• Ignoring the interviewer’s cues. Fix: practice active listening and adapt answers to their follow-up questions.
• Not aligning written documents with interview answers. Fix: ensure your resume achievements match the stories you plan to tell.

3. Presence & Confidence

Why this matters

Presence is the combination of nonverbal cues, voice, pacing, and emotional regulation. It’s how interviewers experience you beyond your words. Confidence without authenticity becomes arrogance; poise without substance is hollow. The goal is steady, competent presence that reinforces the credibility of your stories.

Nonverbal cues that influence decisions

Eye contact (or camera focus in remote interviews), posture, hand gestures that feel natural, and facial expressions that convey engagement. On video, pay attention to lighting, background, and audio clarity. Small technical failures can undermine perceived competence even when your answers are strong.

Techniques to reduce nerves and improve vocal delivery

• Physiological prep: deep-breathing exercises two minutes before the interview; a quick physical movement (shoulder rolls) to release tension.
• Vocal warm-ups: hum for 30 seconds, read a paragraph aloud to settle pitch.
• Intentional pauses: use brief pauses to collect thoughts rather than fillers like “um” or “you know.”
• Rehearse the first 30 seconds: the opening sets the tone. Practice a concise, confident introduction that frames your fit.

Salary and expectation conversations

Treat salary as a negotiation anchored to value, not need. Prepare a confident range based on market data and your experience. If the interviewer asks salary expectations early, provide a researched range and emphasize you’re flexible for the right role—then quickly reframe to ask more about responsibilities to anchor the conversation to contributions rather than numbers.

Practice drills for presence

• Video-record a mock interview and intentionally exaggerate one aspect (smile more, speak slower). Watch the recording and adjust.
• Do a “one-minute pitch” to a non-specialist, then ask for feedback on clarity and energy.
• Conduct a live mock with a peer who interrupts politely—practice bringing answers back to calm control after interruptions.

Cultural adjustments for global interviews

Presence expectations vary by culture. For example, some cultures expect direct eye contact while others find it intrusive. If interviewing for a role in a specific country, adapt your nonverbal style subtly to local norms while maintaining authenticity.

Measuring progress in presence

Use structured feedback forms after mock interviews focusing on three items: pace, clarity, and nonverbal cues. Aim to improve each score by one point in four sessions.

Putting It Together: A Practical Roadmap To Improve Interview Outcomes

You need a routine that balances skill development, practice, and targeted application. Below is a concise step-by-step routine you can follow over four weeks to make measurable progress.

1. Audit and select three stories to polish using the inverted STAR.
2. Create a one-page research template for six target companies and map stories to priorities.
3. Schedule two mock interviews per week—one structured, one conversational.
4. Work on presence: record, review, and adjust twice weekly.
5. Track results: after each real or mock interview, log what worked and what didn’t and refine.

This routine keeps you accountable and ensures continuous improvement. If you want guided accountability, you can schedule a free discovery call to explore a coaching plan that integrates these steps into your career goals.

Two Lists: Core Actions and Practice Plan

(Note: I’m using only two lists in this article—this list and one earlier that identified the three focus areas—to keep the content prose-dominant and action-oriented.)

• Three Core Improvements to Prioritize in the Next 30 Days:
  1. Sharpen three outcome-focused stories using inverted STAR.
  2. Build a one-page role research template for each target company.
  3. Practice presence through recorded mocks and live mock interviews.
• Six-Week Practice Plan (Weekly Focus):
  1. Week 1: Story shaping and result-first practice.
  2. Week 2: Role mapping and tailored answer development.
  3. Week 3: Intensive presence work: video review and vocal training.
  4. Week 4: Mock interviews with feedback loops and refined answers.
  5. Week 5: Simulate international interview scenarios (time zones, cultural cues).
  6. Week 6: Final polish, salary conversation practice, and application follow-ups.

These two lists are your practical scaffolding—short, targeted steps that integrate with the detailed paragraphs above.

Advanced Techniques and Common Interview Scenarios

Behavioral questions and competency-based interviews

Behavioral questions seek evidence of past behavior as a proxy for future performance. Use the inverted STAR: start with result, then briefly outline context and actions, and finish with reflection. For competence-heavy roles, lead with metrics or business outcomes.

Handling technical tests or case interviews

For case interviews, structure your thinking aloud: restate the problem, outline your approach, request clarifying data, and produce a prioritized list of assumptions. Practice clean frameworks (profit formula, customer segmentation, or process mapping) but avoid rigid scripts—interviewers value adaptable thinking.

Remote interviews: camera presence and logistics

Set up a clean background, ensure your camera is at eye level, and test audio in advance. In virtual interviews, you must compensate for reduced nonverbal cues—be more explicit about interest (“That makes sense; I’m curious how the team defines success there”) and use vocal warmth to convey engagement.

Competency gaps and how to frame them

If you lack a core skill, present a short, credible plan for bridging it: a course, a project you propose to take on, or a mentor relationship. Demonstrating a structured plan—timeline, milestones, and where you expect to get help—turns a weakness into a development narrative.

When asked “What are three things you can improve on?”

Use this question to show self-awareness and intention. Provide three areas with short improvement plans that are credible and relevant. For example: “I’m working to improve delegation, which I’m practicing by creating task frameworks and assigning small projects for mentoring; I’m strengthening advanced data visualization by completing a two-month course and applying it to monthly reports; and I’m refining my negotiation skills by role-playing and reviewing recorded mock sessions.” Each item connects to action and progress.

Integrating Interview Improvements With Career and Mobility Goals

Your interview improvements should feed a broader career roadmap. If you want roles that involve relocation or remote global work, emphasize experiences and skills that signal mobility: cross-cultural collaboration, remote leadership, language ability, and knowledge of international compliance or relocation logistics. Frame answers to highlight adaptability and results across borders.

As you build your roadmap, you can combine coaching with tools—coaching to refine narratives and tools to polish documents and practice. If you prefer structured learning, consider a focused course to accelerate targeted skills; many professionals find that enrolling helps systematize practice and gives a ready set of exercises to accelerate progress. Enroll in the Career Confidence Blueprint today.

If application documents need immediate tightening, remember you can download free resume and cover letter templates that align your written materials with the stories you’ll tell.

If you want a one-on-one conversation to map interview improvement to relocation or global-career ambitions, you can book a free discovery call and we’ll build a personalized plan together.

Tools, Templates, and Practice Resources

Use a small suite of tools to streamline preparation: a voice recorder for pitch practice, video camera for presence work, a simple spreadsheet for research and story mapping, and a feedback template for mock interviews that captures both content and presence scores. For written materials, leverage the free templates I mentioned earlier to ensure your resume communicates results in the same language you’ll use during interviews.

If you prefer an integrated course structure, a targeted program can give you guided modules on storytelling, presence, and interview simulations—helpful when preparing for multiple interviews or a market transition. Many candidates find a mix of self-study and guided practice produces the best outcomes.

Mistakes Professionals Make And How To Avoid Them

• Mistake: Rehearsing word-for-word answers. Avoid sounding scripted by practicing core points and varying language in mock sessions.
• Mistake: Preparing only for technical questions and neglecting culture-fit or leadership questions. Prepare at least one example across categories: technical, leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving.
• Mistake: Failing to follow up properly. Always send a concise thank-you note that references a specific part of the conversation to reinforce fit.
• Mistake: Skipping salary preparation until too late. Research and prepare a confident salary range before the interview enters compensation discussions.
• Mistake: Overlooking logistics of global moves. If applying for international roles, bring practical outlines for relocation timelines and support needs to reassure hiring managers.

How to Track Progress and Build Lasting Habits

Set measurable goals for each improvement area. Example metrics: reduce filler words by 50% in recorded answers, map and tailor three new stories per week, or secure two mock interviews weekly. Use a simple weekly review template: What did I practice? What improved? What will I change next week? Capturing small wins reinforces confidence and turns insight into sustainable habits.

If you prefer structured accountability, I offer coaching sessions that align this tracking with your broader career roadmap—schedule a free discovery call to explore how a coach can help you maintain momentum.

Putting the Roadmap Into Action: A Realistic 30-Day Sprint

Week 1: Audit and story shaping. Select three high-impact stories, apply inverted STAR, and produce verbal/written drafts.

Week 2: Targeted research and mapping. Build one-page research sheets for three top employers and match stories to priorities.

Week 3: Presence and delivery. Record and review practice sessions daily; run three live mock interviews.

Week 4: Simulation and refinement. Conduct full simulated interviews (including salary negotiation) and finalize your application documents.

After this sprint, review the outcomes and iterate. For roles with international context, add a relocation logistics checklist and cultural prep to Week 3.

Conclusion

Improving your interview outcomes doesn’t require reinventing your career; it requires focused practice in three key areas: the way you tell your story, how you prepare for role-specific relevance, and how you show up with calm, credible presence. These improvements compound—clear stories make your preparation more persuasive, and stronger presence ensures your impact lands with the interviewer. Integrate these actions into a short, disciplined routine, track progress with simple metrics, and connect the work to your long-term career roadmap and mobility goals.

Book a free discovery call to build your personalized roadmap and accelerate your interview readiness: https://www.inspireambitions.com/contact-kim-hanks/

If you want to deepen targeted skills quickly, consider joining a focused course to systematize practice and accountability: https://www.inspireambitions.com/courses/career-confidence-blueprint/

FAQ

Q: How do I choose the three improvement areas to mention in an interview?
A: Select three areas that are true, relevant to the role, and accompanied by concrete steps you’re taking. Prefer professional skills (e.g., delegation, data visualization, public speaking) over personal traits. Briefly state what you’re doing now and one measurable milestone you expect within 3–6 months.

Q: Should I ever say “I have no weaknesses”?
A: No. Claiming perfection signals lack of self-awareness. Instead, choose real, work-related areas you’re actively improving and show the plan and evidence of progress.

Q: How can I make my resume and interview answers tell the same story?
A: Use consistent language: if your resume cites “reduced customer churn by 18%,” practice a story that explains the actions you took to achieve that reduction and the business context. Align achievements and vocabulary across both documents.

Q: What’s the best way to prepare if I’m interviewing for roles in another country?
A: Add international research to your preparation: understand local business norms, typical interview formats, and practical relocation considerations. Practice answers that highlight cross-cultural collaboration and operational readiness. If you want structured support, you can book a free discovery call to map this preparation to your relocation goals.