“I'd start by…”

When to use it

Hypothetical "what would you do" questions. A first step beats a philosophy.

What it replaces

"I think it depends on the situation, but generally I would try to…"

The hedged version is not wrong English. It is English that asks the interviewer to do the work of deciding whether you meant it. The confident version makes the decision for them.

In an answer

“I'd start by reading the last three incident reports. They usually tell you where the real problem is.”

How to make it automatic

1. Say it aloud five times now, at normal speed, with contractions.
2. Pick one story from your own work where it fits, and say that story once using it.
3. Record a 60-second answer tomorrow and listen for whether it came out on its own.