Let’s be honest: interviews are like first dates, but with less wine and more sweating. You’ve got 30–60 minutes to convince a group of strangers that you’re not only smart enough to do the job, but also charming enough to survive Monday meetings without everyone rolling their eyes.
Here’s the deal: an interview is equal parts performance, relationship-building exercise, and mild psychological experiment. Nail the basics—yes, that means arriving on time, not smelling like stress, and knowing the company in and out.
That confidence that comes from being well prepared needs to shine through…. Just don’t get too cocky!!
Your Cheat Sheet for Interview Glory
- Have a Greatest Hits Album.
Memorize 5–10 key messages about yourself. Short. Snappy. Repeatable. Think of them as the tracks you want stuck in the interviewer’s head. Your energy, impact, growth, values, and why you’re a future office legend. - Practice Your Lines (Without Sounding Like a Robot).
Anticipate the obvious questions, then craft answers that are clear, memorable, and backed by evidence. No one cares that you “work well under pressure” unless you’ve got a story where you didn’t cry under pressure. - Own the Stage.
Whether you’re walking into the room or logging into Zoom, your presence matters. Sit like you belong. Breathe like you own oxygen. Radiate the fact that you’re not only competent but also someone, people wouldn’t dread being stuck with in a brainstorming session.
For the Interviewers (Yes, You Lot Too)
It’s not just the candidate who should be sweating. Interviewers—your job isn’t to play FBI interrogator. You’re trying to figure out:
- Will this person make an impact?
- Will they actually enjoy being here (because misery spreads like the flu)?
- Will they keep growing, or will they hit a wall and turn into office furniture?
PRO TIP: LISTEN.
No, really listen. Not half-listening while mentally drafting your grocery list. Deep listening. Watch body language. Hear what’s said and unsaid. That’s how you know if someone fits, not by ticking boxes on a form.
The Awkward Bits
- Nerves: Everyone has them. Even the interviewer (though they hide it better). Prepare, breathe, remind yourself you’re talking to humans, not executioners.
- Red Flags: If something feels off, don’t ignore it. A “niggle” today can become a “nightmare” later. Address it.
- Tough Interviews: They happen. Doesn’t mean you tanked. Sometimes the meanest-looking panel ends up sending the offer letter.
The Mic-Drop Moment
The real sign an interview went well.
That natural feeling—like both sides could just… keep talking. As if you’d already started working together. That’s the magic!!! That’s what you want to aim for; Always.
From Marilyn, your Friendliest Executive Coach, AREKO GROUP
