How to Improve Your Interview Skills as a Jobseeker

I’ve been a recruiter for 5+ years, and I’ve closely seen how Hiring Managers make decisions. If you’re looking for a job in the U.S., these strategies are GOLD. I’ve been in dozens of debriefs where the candidate looked great on paper, answered questions well, and still didn't get hired. Because hiring managers aren’t just asking, “Can they do the job?” They’re asking: → Do they understand the role? → Can they think through messy problems? → Will they communicate clearly with the team? → Are they coachable? → Will they take ownership? Here’s how you can show hiring managers that you are the right fit. 1. Show your thinking, not just your answer. When walking through a project or technical solution, don’t jump straight to the outcome. Walk through the decisions you made, what tradeoffs you considered, and what you’d do differently now. That shows maturity and reflection, which managers love to see. 2. Ask better questions. Skip the generic: What’s the culture like? Instead ask: What does success look like in the first 90 days? What challenges is the team currently facing? Hiring managers remember candidates who sound like future teammates. 3. Own your gaps. You don’t need to pretend to be perfect. In fact, the best candidates I’ve seen are the ones who say: I haven’t done X before, but here’s how I’d approach it. That shows adaptability. Most roles evolve, so this matters more than checking every box. 4. Match your energy to the team. If the team is collaborative, curious, and fast-paced, show that you work the same way. Not by saying it, but through your tone, your responses, and the way you engage. You don’t need to perform. You need to connect. That’s what makes hiring managers say, “Let’s bring them in.” Repost this so others crack interviews. P.S. If you are a job seeker in the U.S. and found this post helpful, follow me for more honest job-search advice. Let's get you hired in the next 90 days.

I've been helping a family friend who recently graduated college prep for her first round of job interviews—and wow, I was shocked to learn her college career services team focused heavily on creating ATS-friendly resumes (not really a thing, IMO) and barely touched on interview prep—especially the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), which is absolutely critical for telling your story clearly and effectively. Here's some things we covered: Don’t memorize answers—build stories. Think of 4–5 key experiences you’ve had (projects, challenges, leadership roles) and map them to the STAR structure. Lead with the result. Especially in fast-paced interviews, highlight the outcome upfront to grab attention before diving into the details. Keep it concise. 2–3 minutes max per story. If you’re rambling past that, you’re losing your interviewer. Check for visual cues. Align with the job. Review the job description and prep stories that demonstrate the skills and qualities they’re looking for. Practice out loud. It’s one thing to know your stories—it’s another to say them clearly and confidently. Another tip I often share with job seekers is if the interview is virtual, consider hiding your own video or putting a sticky note over your video to avoid the inclination to stare at yourself as you speak and train your eyes to the camera instead.

One of the things that brings me so much satisfaction in my work with SheFi is helping candidates connect the dots about how to be more effective in their job search and interview processes. Our recent #interview skills workshop was a big hit, with some key takeaways worth sharing more broadly. → Practice your elevator pitch: Be prepared to spend no more than 2-3 minutes sharing a clear picture of your career history, what you’re seeking next, and why you are a fit for the role you’re seeking. No, really. Practice! Clearly articulating your value, experience and career goals at the outset can set the tone for the rest of the interview. → Throughout the interview, be mindful of time. This one commonly trips people up – it’s better to answer a question with a high level overview, pause and say something like “happy to expand on this”, then to ramble with no awareness of time, which flies quickly, especially in a 30-minute interview. It’s natural to be nervous, but rambling can kill an interview. Again, practicing ahead of time can make all the difference! → Have a few STAR stories ready to share. That stands for Situation-Task-Action-Result. This helps your interviewer understand your real experiences about how you’ve solved problems and created impact. These questions usually start with “Tell me about a time when…” or “Share an example of how…”. Include concrete examples and measurable results. These can be challenging to answer on the fly, so spend time preparing. → Be ready to discuss your strengths & weaknesses. Most of us have some idea of our strengths, but it can feel uncomfortable to shine a light on weaknesses. A great way to approach this is to think of your areas of growth. We all have them, and usually the interviewer is seeking to learn more about your self awareness than your weaknesses. → Lastly, have a few thoughtful questions ready, showing your interest in the role and the company. Don’t ask anything that you could easily find on the internet. If you’ve been selected for an interview, CONGRATS! You’re already rising above others in a competitive market. Hoping these tips will help you move to the next round, and eventually, the offer!

🤔 Getting interviews but not landing the job? Let’s talk about one simple shift that could make all the difference. The first place to look is your interview responses—specifically, the words you're using to talk about your experience. I recently worked with a coaching client who made just one small change to how she answered interview questions. The result? She landed a job offer from her very next interview. Here’s the tip that worked for her—and can work for you too: ✅ Speak from experience, not hypotheticals. When you say things like “If I were in that role…,” you may sound unsure—even if you’re fully qualified! Instead, show confidence by speaking from your actual experience. Try using phrases like: 🔹 “I’ve led similar projects by…” 🔹 “In my previous role, I found success by…” 🔹 “I would approach that challenge using the same strategy I used when…” Want to boost your confidence even more? Here are two powerful tools I recommend for interview practice: 🔸 Yoodli – This free AI tool helps you fine-tune your tone, pacing, and word choice. It’s used by Toastmasters for a reason—it works! Record your responses and get real-time insights before sharing with a coach or mentor. 🔸 LinkedIn Interview Prep – Select common interview questions, record your answers, and send them to a trusted colleague or coach for honest feedback. 🙋♀️ If you want expert support to sharpen your interview skills and start hearing more yeses, send me a direct message on LinkedIn. I'd love to explore how live coaching can help you show up with clarity, confidence, and impact and help you determine your best next step in your job search on our call. ✨ You’re already landing interviews—now let’s make sure you’re landing offers too! ✨ 📹 (Check out the video below to hear how one small shift helped my client go from interviews to offers in no time!) 😊

Got an interview? Here are my top ten interview prep steps that equate to success. Hi! I'm Laureen and I have interviewed 100K+ people in my career across all industries and positions from entry-level to Executive; in agency & executive search (for my clients), and corporate. 1. Research the Company Thoroughly review the company’s website, recent news, and social media presence. Understand the company’s mission, values, and recent achievements to show your genuine interest. 2. Understand the Job Description Analyze the job description in detail to identify key responsibilities and required skills. Match these with your experiences and prepare to discuss how you meet these qualifications. 3. Prepare Your Elevator Pitch Craft a brief summary of your background, skills, and what you bring to the role. Be ready to share this early in the interview to set a strong foundation. 4. Anticipate Common Questions Prepare answers to common interview questions, such as your strengths, weaknesses, and why you want the job. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses to behavioral questions. 5. Highlight Key Achievements Identify specific achievements from your past roles that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Be ready to discuss these accomplishments in detail, showcasing your impact. 6. Prepare Questions for the Interviewer Come up with thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture. This shows your interest and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you. 7. Practice, Practice, Practice Conduct mock interviews with a friend, mentor, or in front of a mirror. Practicing will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and build confidence. 8. Plan Your Attire Choose professional attire that aligns with the company’s culture. If you’re unsure, it’s safer to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. Even for a video interview. 9. Prepare for Technical Aspects If your interview includes a technical component, such as a coding test or case study, review relevant materials and practice beforehand. Make sure your tools are ready if it’s a virtual interview. 10. Prepare to Follow Up Plan to send a thank-you note after the interview, reiterating your interest in the role and highlighting a key point from the discussion. I recommend a LinkedIn connection request with a note. This can leave a positive impression on the interviewer. #interview #interviewprepartion #career #jobsearch