For most of us, job interviews are nerve-racking. You can be perfectly qualified, fully prepared and still find your mind going blank at the exact moment you need it most. Maybe you end up over-explaining. Maybe you freeze. Maybe you find yourself staring at the interviewer’s tie wondering what on earth you were about to say.

We have all been there.

That is where a method called reverse thinking comes in. It might sound counterintuitive but it works whether you are a nervous first-timer or a seasoned professional aiming for a senior role.

Where the idea came from

The roots of reverse thinking go back to the 1950s when author Charles S. Whiting described a technique called reverse brainstorming or problem inversion. Instead of asking “How can I solve this problem?”, you ask “How could I make this problem worse?” Then you flip each disaster scenario into a practical solution.

It works because most of us are better at spotting what could go wrong than coming up with a flawless plan on the first try. In a noisy and competitive world, knowing what not to do can be just as valuable as knowing what to do.

Why this works for interviews

Most interview prep focuses on best-case scenarios. But interviews are rarely perfect. Things go wrong and it is often the small things that knock you off your game.

We have seen it all:

• Candidates arriving late because of traffic or parking chaos.
• Forgetting key examples because nerves took over.
• Awkward silences that chip away at confidence.

By actively imagining your own personal “worst possible interview” and then planning against it, you remove most of the unknowns. You are less likely to be caught off-guard and you walk in calmer because you have already faced those fears on your own terms.

For example, if your nightmare scenario is drawing a blank on a key question, you could prepare a few “go-to” examples that cover multiple competencies. If your fear is running late, you could plan your journey, check parking in advance and aim to arrive early enough for a short walk to clear your head.

Pairing reverse thinking with STAR

Reverse thinking is about disaster prevention. The STAR method is about delivering your best answer when you get to the question itself.

STAR stands for:

• Situation – Set the scene in one or two sentences.
• Task – Outline your goal or challenge.
• Action – Explain the steps you personally took.
• Result – Share the positive outcome.

Competency-based questions such as – “Tell me about a time when…” are much easier to handle when you have STAR as a guide. It keeps you concise, avoids rambling and ensures you do not miss the details that prove your point.

When you combine the two approaches, you cover both ends of the interview spectrum:

• You have planned ahead to avoid avoidable mistakes.
• You have a clear structure to showcase your skills and experience under pressure.

Putting it into practice

Start by giving yourself 15 minutes to write down every possible thing that could go wrong in an interview. Be honest, even if it feels silly.

Next, work out one practical step you could take to prevent or minimise each problem. Do not skip the small stuff as those details can make all the difference to your confidence.

Finally, prepare three or four strong STAR examples you can adapt to different questions. That way, no matter what comes up, you will have a relevant story to tell.

The bottom line

Reverse thinking might sound unconventional but it is really just a smarter way to prepare. It takes away the fear factor, helps you plan for the unexpected and gives you a calm and confident edge. Paired with a structured answering technique like STAR, it is one of the most effective ways to walk into an interview ready for anything.

In the video Abi takes you through the method step-by-step with real-life examples of interview “trainwrecks” and how to avoid them. If you have ever wished you could walk into an interview knowing you had prepared for every twist and turn, this is where to start.

Thank you for reading!

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