Score each dimension from 1 to 4 during mock interviews to make feedback concrete and track your progress across sessions. Use the descriptors below to place yourself honestly.
| Dimension | 1 — Developing | 2 — Approaching | 3 — Strong | 4 — Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leadership | No clear example of influencing others. | Mentions a role but not actions or impact. | Clear example of mobilising others with a result. | Compelling example; communication, decision and impact all evident. |
| Googleyness | Little sign of collaboration or adaptability. | Some teamwork; struggles with ambiguity. | Collaborative, helpful, handles ambiguity with a method. | Strong collaboration, helpfulness, adaptability and growth mindset. |
| STAR structure | Rambling; no clear result. | Partial STAR; weak on Action or Result. | Full STAR with first-person Action and a result. | Crisp STAR; quantified result and clear lesson. |
| Hypothetical approach | Jumps to a guess; no structure. | Some structure; misses clarifying or stakeholders. | Uses a clear structure and reasons aloud. | Clarifies, structures, reasons, recommends and notes risks. |
| Communication | Unclear or rambling; much filler. | Understandable but wordy or hesitant. | Clear, concise and composed. | Articulate, confident, and handles probes smoothly. |
Reading your scores
Averaging 3 or above means you are interview-ready. A 2 marks the specific module to revisit. Any 1 is your top priority before the next session. Track scores over time — visible progress is genuinely motivating.Candidate prep checklist
Use this one-page checklist before any non-technical interview.
Before the interview
- Prepared a 60–90 second 'tell me about yourself.'
- Built a bank of five STAR stories (teamwork, leadership, failure, pressure, ambiguity).
- Practised the CLEAR framework on two hypothetical scenarios.
- Researched the company and role; prepared two or three thoughtful questions.
During the interview
- Listen fully; rephrase or ask for a moment if needed.
- Behavioral → a real story in STAR, first person, with a result.
- Hypothetical → clarify, structure, reason aloud, recommend.
- Stay concise and positive; welcome follow-up probes.
After the interview
- Note which questions felt strong and which to refine.
- Send a brief, professional thank-you if appropriate; be patient with the multi-week process.
A candidate averaging 3+ is interview-ready; any 1 is the priority for your next session.
Takeaways
- Score honestly. The rubric is only useful if you grade yourself like an interviewer would.
- Chase your 1s first. Your weakest dimension moves your odds the most.
- Walk in prepared. Five stories, two scenarios, three questions, one strong intro.