"Landing It"

Or at least could help you with a new perspective...

This comes after yesterday's post:

Have you ever watched someone land an interview perfectly while you're still circling the runway?

I've been thinking about this.

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a fighter pilot (as it stands out today that didn't go well for me). So I comforted myself watching videos about fighter pilots, the other day, and something clicked.

These pilots perform this incredible move called the "Cobra Maneuver", where they suddenly pitch their aircraft up vertically without climbing, then smoothly return to level flight.

It's unexpected, strategic, and completely changes the dynamics.

Then... moment of wisdom!

The most successful job candidates do something remarkably similar in interviews.

Most of us approach interviews with the standard STAR method - Situation, Task, Action, Result. It's like flying in a straight, predictable line. It works, but it's what everyone else is doing too.

The candidates who stand out are the ones who know when to introduce their own version of the "Cobra Maneuver", a moment that changes the interviewer's perspective without taking the conversation off course.

Here's how I've seen this work in real interviews:

Let's start with expectations, nothing is 100% guaranteed, but...

When describing a situation.

Instead of just stating facts, reframe the context to reveal insights others miss.

A friend of mine once started her answer not with what happened, but why it was happening and how it connected to larger industry trends.

The interviewer put down his pen and leaned forward.

For the task element

Rather than simply explaining what they were assigned, standout candidates pause to reflect on the deeper organizational challenge.

"The explicit goal was X, but I realized the underlying need was actually Y".

This kind of insight signals a strategic thinker.

The action phase.

It is where many introduce their unexpected element, perhaps mentioning an unconventional approach or unusual collaboration.

It's like that vertical pitch-up moment that makes the interviewer think,

"Wait, I haven't heard this before."

Then, just like a pilot returning to level flight, connect back to results that matter to the organization, demonstrating they can be innovative while staying perfectly aligned with company goals.

Here I drop the video again (for pleasure mainly).

I've tried this approach myself, introducing these thoughtful disruptions, especially when talking to new clients.

What surprised me most was how these moments, which might have felt risky, became the exact points the interviewers will remember.

The beauty of this approach is that it doesn't require you to be the most experienced candidate or have the most impressive resume.

It simply requires thoughtfulness and the courage to momentarily break from the expected pattern in a way that adds genuine value to the conversation.

So next time you're preparing for an interview, ask yourself:

• Where might I introduce my version of the Cobra Maneuver?
• What moment of unexpected insight could I share that would transform me from just another candidate into a memorable thought partner?

After all, landing your dream job isn't about flying the most conventional path, it's about knowing exactly when and how to make your approach uniquely valuable.

Hope it helps in your next career move!