Now that you know the meaning of PARIS, let’s put it into action. Here’s exactly how each step can transform your next job interview with real examples and practical strategies.
The Complete PARIS Framework in Action
P – Prepare: Setting Your Foundation
Before the Interview:
Research Phase:
- Company mission, recent news, and key challenges
- Role requirements and how your skills align
- Interview format and likely questions
Self-Reflection:
- Your top 3 strengths with specific examples
- 2-3 questions that show genuine interest
- Your “why” for wanting this position
Practical Prep:
- Practice your elevator pitch out loud
- Plan your outfit the night before
- Map your route and arrive 10 minutes early
Example Preparation in Action:
For a Mental Health Coordinator position, you might prepare:
- “I noticed your organization recently expanded their community outreach programs. I’m excited about organizations taking a more proactive approach to mental health access”
- “My experience coordinating care for multiple participants while maintaining regulatory compliance aligns directly with your commitment to quality service delivery”
- Question ready: “What does success look like in the first 90 days for this role?”
A – Audience Awareness: Reading the Room
What to Watch For:
Verbal Cues:
- Tone of voice (formal vs. conversational)
- Pace of speech (rushed vs. deliberate)
- Language style (technical vs. accessible)
Nonverbal Signals:
- Body language (open vs. closed posture)
- Energy level (high enthusiasm vs. calm professionalism)
- Eye contact patterns
Environmental Context:
- Interview setting (formal boardroom vs. casual coffee meeting)
- Time pressures (interviewer checking time vs. relaxed)
- Multiple interviewers (panel dynamics)
Real Interview Example:
Interviewer enters looking slightly frazzled, checking phone
Poor Response: “Hi! I’m so excited to be here! I have so much to tell you about my experience!”
PARIS Response: “Good morning, thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I know you have a busy schedule, so I’m ready to dive right in whenever you are.”
Why This Works: You’ve read their energy (busy/pressed for time) and adjusted your approach to be respectful and efficient rather than adding to their stress.
R – Response: Thoughtful, Not Reactive
The Key Principle: Pause, process, then respond with intention.
Common Interview Challenges & PARIS Responses:
Challenge 1: “Tell me about a time you failed.”
Reactive Response: “Oh, I don’t really fail at things… I mean, I guess there was this one time…”
PARIS Response: “That’s a great question. Early in my service coordinator role, I initially struggled with time management when juggling multiple complex cases. I realized I needed a better system, so I implemented a color-coded tracking method and started blocking specific times for documentation. As a result, I improved my efficiency by 30% and haven’t missed a deadline since. What I learned is that recognizing areas for improvement early and taking proactive steps is crucial in healthcare settings.”
Why This Works:
- Acknowledges the failure honestly
- Shows problem-solving skills
- Demonstrates growth and learning
- Connects back to the role
Challenge 2: “Why should we hire you over other candidates?”
Reactive Response: “Well, I’m really good at my job and I work hard…”
PARIS Response: “Based on what you’ve shared about your challenges with care coordination across multiple agencies, I bring a unique combination of clinical background and systems navigation experience. In my current role, I’ve successfully coordinated care for participants across 15 different community organizations while maintaining full regulatory compliance. What sets me apart is my ability to see both the individual client needs and the bigger system picture, which seems essential for the collaborative approach you’re building here.”
I – Improvisation: Staying Flexible and Authentic
When Plans Change:
Sometimes interviews take unexpected turns. PARIS improvisation means staying present and responsive rather than rigidly sticking to your script.
Scenario: The interviewer goes off-script
Interviewer: “You know what, forget the formal questions. I’m curious about something you’re genuinely passionate about outside of work?”
Rigid Response: “Um, well, let me think… I guess I should mention something professional…”
PARIS Improvisation: “I love working with technology to solve everyday problems. Recently, I taught my 75-year-old neighbor how to video call her grandkids during the pandemic. Seeing her face light up when she first saw them on screen reminded me why I love what I do. It’s all about connecting people to the resources and relationships that matter most.”
Why This Works:
- Authentic and personal
- Still connects to your professional values
- Shows adaptability and comfort with spontaneity
- Reveals character
Another Improvisation Example:
Interviewer: “Actually, before we continue, I should mention this role involves some weekend work. Is that a problem?”
Rigid Response: “Oh, I didn’t know that. I’ll have to think about it…”
PARIS Improvisation: “I appreciate you bringing that up. Can you tell me more about the weekend responsibilities? I’m committed to serving clients when they need support most, and I know mental health crises don’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule. Understanding the specifics would help me give you a thoughtful response about how I’d structure my availability.”
S – Solidarity: Building Genuine Connection
Finding Common Ground:
Solidarity isn’t about agreeing with everything. It’s about finding shared values, experiences, or goals that create authentic connection.
Example 1: Shared Professional Values
Interviewer: “One of our biggest challenges is staff burnout in this field.”
Transactional Response: “Yes, I can handle high-stress environments.”
PARIS Solidarity Response: “That resonates with me. In my previous role, I saw how burnout affected not just staff wellbeing but client outcomes too. I found that having strong peer support systems and clear boundaries actually made me more effective, not less committed. It sounds like creating sustainable practices is something your team really cares about. That’s exactly the kind of environment where I do my best work.”
Example 2: Shared Challenge Recognition
Interviewer: “We’re trying to improve our coordination with community partners, but it’s been frustrating.”
Solidarity Response: “I completely understand that frustration. Building those partnerships takes time and consistent communication. In my experience, it helped to start small, maybe identifying one or two key partners and really investing in those relationships first. Once you have some success stories, other organizations start to take notice. What approaches has your team tried so far?”
Example 3: Personal Connection
Interviewer mentions they’re tired because their toddler kept them up all night
Professional-Only Response: “Oh, okay. Should we reschedule?”
PARIS Solidarity Response: “Oh wow, I remember those days! My nephew went through a phase where he’d only sleep if someone was holding him. It’s amazing how you can function on so little sleep when you have to. I hope you get some rest tonight. Coffee helping at all today?”
Why Personal Connection Works:
- Shows you’re human and relatable
- Creates a moment of genuine warmth
- Demonstrates empathy and emotional intelligence
- Makes the interviewer feel seen as a person, not just a role
Why This Works:
- Validates their experience
- Offers constructive perspective
- Asks genuine questions
- Positions you as a collaborative problem-solver
Putting It All Together: A Complete Interview Exchange
Let’s see PARIS in action during a full interview question:
Interviewer: “We’ve had some challenges with client compliance in our program. How would you handle a situation where a client isn’t following their service plan?”
PARIS Response Breakdown:
P (Drawing on Preparation): “Based on my research about your person-centered approach…”
A (Audience Awareness): Noticing the interviewer leaning forward, showing this is a real concern
R (Thoughtful Response): “That’s such an important question, and I can hear this is something your team is actively working on. In my experience as a family-based therapist, I learned that non-compliance is often a communication issue rather than a motivation issue…”
I (Improvisation): Adjusting based on their nodding/interest “Actually, let me give you a specific example from my caseload…”
S (Solidarity): “It sounds like your team really cares about meeting clients where they are rather than forcing them into rigid structures. That collaborative approach is exactly why I’m excited about this position.”
Full Response: “That’s such an important question, and I can hear this is something your team is actively working on. In my experience as a family-based therapist, I learned that non-compliance often signals a mismatch between the service plan and the client’s actual circumstances or priorities.
My approach would be to first schedule a face-to-face conversation, not to lecture, but to genuinely understand what’s happening in their world. Sometimes ‘non-compliance’ means they’re dealing with transportation issues, family crises, or simply that our plan doesn’t align with what they actually need.
For example, I had a family who kept missing therapy appointments. Instead of discharging them, I asked what would work better. Turns out, the mom was working two jobs and could only meet after 7 PM. We adjusted the schedule, and they became one of our most engaged families.
It sounds like your team really cares about meeting clients where they are rather than forcing them into rigid structures. That collaborative, person-centered approach is exactly why I’m excited about this position.”
Your PARIS Action Plan
Before Your Next Interview:
- Prepare: Research + practice + self-reflection
- Audience Awareness: Remind yourself to notice and adjust
- Response: Have examples ready but stay open
- Improvisation: Do mock interviews with unexpected questions
- Solidarity: Think about shared values you can highlight
Remember: PARIS isn’t about manipulation. It’s about authentic, skillful communication that serves both you and the interviewer. When you’re genuinely prepared, aware, responsive, flexible, and connected, interviews become conversations. And conversations build relationships.
Ready to try PARIS in your next high-stakes conversation? Start with one element at a time, and watch how your interactions transform.
Manton (Max) Bailie 