Extensive preparation is essential for any interview. You'll identify your objectives and the messages you want to convey on a wide variety of topics. You'll anticipate the kinds of questions you're likely to be asked. And you'll hone your skills in intensive practice sessions.
Nonetheless, when the stakes are high and the pressure is intense, your mind may go blank at the critical moment, leaving you at a loss for words. So here's a tool that will jar you into alertness, enable you to focus on your essential messages and keep you on TRACĒ.
It's a simple acronym. Its purpose is not to replace preparation, but to supplement it by serving as a touchstone during those nightmarish moments in an interview when your mind feels paralyzed and you can't think of a thing to say.
T = truthful: Don't increase your beffudlement by trying to "spin" your way out of a difficult situation. Instead, rely upon the truth. Focus on reality, and in so doing you will likely begin to recall truthful messages you developed during your preparation.
R = responsive: Jump start your thought processes by directly answering the question. The first words out of your mouth must deal with what the interviewer asked. If the information the interviewer wants is public, then give it; if the information is confidential, say so and give the reason for making it confidential. If you don't know or can't recall the facts the interviewer wants, then say so.
A = appropriate: Your preparation will have identified several key messages that you'd like to get across in the interview. Which message you choose in answer to a question should be determined by the relevance of that message to the question. The operative principle is that your key message should put the requested information into a meaningful context - that's what will make your message appropriate to the question.
C = concise: Each type of interview carries its own time constraints. When talking to print or broadcast reporters, you have between 8 and 15 seconds for each answer. That's the usual length of printed quotes or broadcast sound bites. If your answers are much longer than 15 seconds, you risk having them edited and, hence, distorted. You have a bit longer to reply to questions at job interviews, panel discussions and annual meetings or when talking to employees, customers, donors and shareholders. But you will likely lose your audience, if your language is vague, you wander off topic or you attempt to cram several messages in any one answer. | 
