Prepping for a job interview can feel daunting. You can probably predict some questions—why are you interested in this job? What makes you a good fit? What’s your biggest weakness?—but it’s  impossible to get ready for every scenario. It can also feel tricky to provide the right level of detail when the hiring manager asks something unexpected.

Fast Company contributor Judith Humphrey suggests a four-step template that can help you organize your thoughts so that your answers feel polished, even if you’re speaking off the cuff. Read on to learn how to prep so you can make sure to stand out in your next job interview. —Julia Herbst