Alright, let’s switch gears to something grounded and practical. No fluff, no generic “smile and firm handshake” nonsense—just real-world advice from someone who’s been on both sides of the table. Here’s what I’d tell a friend heading into a job interview, based on what actually matters.
First, know the room before you walk in. Don’t just skim the company website—dig into who’s interviewing you. LinkedIn’s your best friend here. Check their profiles, not just for their titles but for what they’ve done lately—posts, projects, even dumb stuff they’ve liked. If they’re proud of something, they’ll light up when you mention it. I once got a job because I casually brought up a guy’s old blog post about supply chain hacks—he couldn’t stop talking, and I was in. It’s not kissing up; it’s showing you’re not a zombie applicant.
Second, don’t memorize answers—know your stories. They’ll ask about your experience, sure, but they don’t care about your script. They want to see how you think. Pick three moments from your past—times you solved a mess, built something cool, or survived a disaster—and practice telling them fast, like you’re at a bar, not a podium. Keep it raw: what sucked, what you did, what happened. I bombed an interview once because I over-rehearsed and sounded like a robot—next time, I just told the unpolished truth about fixing a busted project, and they ate it up.
Third, watch their energy, not just their words. People don’t hire resumes; they hire vibes. If they lean in, laugh, or start riffing, you’re gold—lean into that, match it. If they’re stiff or distracted, don’t panic—just stay calm and sharp, like you’re unfazed by their chaos. I’ve seen folks tank because they kept yammering while the interviewer was clearly checked out. Read the room like it’s a poker game—your stack’s low, but you can still bluff with confidence.
Fourth, ask something real. When they say, “Any questions for us?” don’t ask about vacation days or some canned “what’s your culture like?” Hit them with something specific: “I saw you just launched X—how’s that changing things here?” or “What’s the one thing you wish new hires nailed from day one?” It shows you’re paying attention and forces them to think, not just parrot HR lines. I got a callback once because I asked, “What’s the dumbest mistake you’ve seen in my role?”—they laughed and spilled real dirt.
Finally, own the awkward. You’ll stumble. They’ll ask something you don’t know. Don’t freeze or fake it—say, “Huh, I haven’t hit that yet, but here’s how I’d figure it out,” then walk through it. People respect someone who can think on their feet over a BS artist any day. I once admitted I’d never used their software but broke down how I’d learned worse tools—they hired me because I didn’t flinch.
Post-interview, don’t overthink it. Send a quick “thanks for the chat, excited about X” email if you feel it, but don’t grovel. Then let it go—they’ve already decided half the time. I’ve gotten offers after thinking I crashed and burned, just because I stayed human.
That’s it. Walk in like you’re there to solve their problems, not beg for a chair. You’ve got this—go break their expectations.