I suck at interviewing

It sounds like you're overthinking and putting too much pressure on yourself to deliver a "perfect" answer, which can make you sound robotic or unnatural. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some actionable tips to improve your interview performance:

1. Practice with a Purpose

• Mock Interviews: Practicing in front of a mirror is a good start, but you need feedback. Set up mock interviews with friends, mentors, or even professionals who can critique your delivery and content.
• Record Yourself: Use your phone to record your answers. Play them back to identify areas where you sound awkward or lose your train of thought. This will help you refine your phrasing and timing.

2. Focus on the SOAR Framework

• For behavioral questions, structure your answers using the SOAR framework:
  • Situation: Briefly describe the context (10-15 seconds).
  • Obstacle: Highlight the challenge or problem (10-15 seconds).
  • Action: Explain what you did to address it (60-75 seconds).
  • Result: Share the outcome (15-30 seconds).
• This keeps your answers concise, logical, and easy to follow.

3. Build a Story Bank

• Prepare 6-8 stories that can be adapted to answer multiple questions. These should cover common themes like teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and overcoming challenges. Having a "story bank" makes it easier to recall examples without sounding rehearsed.

4. Cheat Sheet

• Create a one-page cheat sheet with bullet points for key questions like "Why IB?" or "Why this firm?" Include 2-3 key points and anecdotes for each. This helps you stay focused and consistent in your answers.

5. Practice for Fluidity, Not Perfection

• The goal is to sound natural, not scripted. Practice until your answers feel conversational, not memorized. Avoid trying to deliver a word-for-word response; instead, focus on hitting the key points.

6. Simulate Real Interview Conditions

• Practice under pressure by timing yourself. Set a timer for 2 minutes and answer questions like "Why IB?" or "Walk me through your resume." This helps you get comfortable with the pacing and length of your responses.

7. Relax and Slow Down

• Pauses are okay! Silence can display confidence, while filler words like "um" or "uh" can make you seem unsure. Take a moment to gather your thoughts before answering.

8. Leverage Your Networking Conversations

• You mentioned feeling more natural during coffee chats and phone calls. Use insights from those conversations to personalize your answers. For example, when answering "Why this firm?" reference specific people you’ve spoken to and what you learned about the firm's culture or practices.

9. Confidence Through Preparation

• Confidence comes from knowing your material. If you’ve done the work to prepare your technicals, behavioral answers, and firm-specific insights, trust yourself. Remember, interviewers are looking for genuine, thoughtful responses—not perfection.

10. Mindset Shift

• Think of the interview as a two-way conversation, not a performance. You’re evaluating the firm as much as they’re evaluating you. This mindset can help reduce the pressure and make you feel more at ease.

Lastly, don’t be too hard on yourself. Even seasoned professionals stumble during interviews. The key is to learn from each experience and keep improving. You’ve got this!

Sources: An ex-Goldman Sachs insider’s 10 tips on how to sail through investment banking interviews, Would appreciate some advice, Investment Banking Interview Questions - 15 Answers to Land the Job, SA Interview Prep Techniques, Investment Banking Interview Questions - 15 Answers to Land the Job