Let me tell you about the time I bombed an interview so hard, I still cringe thinking about it. Picture this: fresh out of my teaching career pivot, dressed in a stiff suit I’d borrowed from my sister (shout-out to her J.Crew stash), sitting across from a hiring manager at a tech startup. They asked, “What’s your biggest weakness?” and I went full deer-in-headlights. “Uh…I care too much?” The silence that followed was louder than a TikTok notification during a funeral.
Turns out, interviewers aren’t looking for perfect robots — they want humans who can think, not recite canned answers. After 3 years of job-hopping (and helping my kid’s soccer team parents prep for their own career switches), here’s what actually works:
“The secret isn’t rehearsing answers. It’s rehearsing stories.”
My “aha moment” came when a mentor told me: “Interviews are just gossip sessions where you’re the topic.” People remember anecdotes, not bullet points. That time I handled a parent’s meltdown at the PTA meeting? Way more relatable than saying “I’m great under pressure.”
I started keeping a “brag doc” in Google Drive — not just wins, but messy moments too. Like the time I accidentally double-booked 15 parent-teacher conferences (thanks, Outlook calendar) and had to MacGyver a solution with Dunkin’ gift cards and a Zoom waiting room. Now, when someone asks, “Tell me about a time you messed up,” I’ve got a real story with grit — and a punchline about Boston Kreme saves the day.
The 3 questions everyone dreads (and how to flip them):
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“Why should we hire you?”
Old me: Rambling about passion and hard work.
New me: “Based on our chat, it sounds like you need someone who can [solve X problem]. When I faced something similar at [last job], I [specific action] — which increased [specific result]. I’d bring that same approach here.”
(Pro tip: Check their “About Us” page for keywords. I once mirrored a company’s “gritty optimism” tagline and saw the CEO nod like I’d quoted Springsteen.) -
“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
Old me: “In your chair!” (Cue awkward laughter.)
New me: “Honestly? I hope to have mastered [specific skill your job posting wants] — maybe even mentor others in it. I noticed your team’s expanding into [project they mentioned], and that’s exactly the kind of growth I want to be part of.” -
“Do you have any questions for us?”
Never end with “Nope, all set!” Ask something that makes them reflect:- “What’s something that surprised you about working here?”
- “How would you describe the team member who just gets it?”
(At my current job, the manager teared up describing her “work mom” colleague — instant vibe check.)
The coffee hack that changed everything:
I used to panic-research companies while sitting in my Honda Odyssey outside the interview location (mom life, amirite?). Now, I spend 15 minutes stalking their LinkedIn… but not how you’d think. I look for:
- Recent posts: Congratulate a team win in the interview. (“Saw you all launched the sustainability project — how’s that going?”)
- Employee quirks: One place had a “Bring Your Dog” Tuesdays policy. I mentioned my chaotic golden retriever mix — suddenly we’re bonding over vet bills.
Last thing: Your vibe is your greatest prep.
My neighbor Ed, a former HR director, once told me: “We hire people we wanna stare at on Zoom all day.” That doesn’t mean being peppy — it means being present.
Before my last interview, I blasted “Eye of the Tiger” (yes, ironically), did a 2-minute power pose in the Starbucks bathroom, and scribbled “THEY NEED YOU MORE” on my palm. Corny? Absolutely. But walking in feeling like I was doing them a favor? Game-changer.
So grab that brag doc, find your hype song (may I suggest Lizzo?), and remember: Interviews are just two people figuring out if they wanna solve problems together. You’ve survived toddler tantrums/college finals/that one IKEA dresser assembly — you’ve got this.
(P.S. If all else fails, bring donuts. My friend landed a marketing job by showing up with a box from the local bakery mentioned in the CEO’s LinkedIn bio. Chaotic? Yes. Effective? You bet.)