Coming

Coming from the opposite side of the table — someone who participates in many interviews each year — I wanted to share a few pieces of advice that I think could help anyone, no matter where they are in their career. (For context: these tips are based on virtual interviews.) 1. Get the simple things right. Know the name of your interviewer and show up on time. You’d be surprised how many people email or message me and spell my name wrong — those little details can make a big first impression, and not in a good way. 2. Be ready for the common questions. Have thoughtful answers prepared for questions like “Why should we hire you?” or “Why do you want to work here?” When those catch someone off guard, it signals a lack of preparation. 3. Match the interviewer’s energy. If they’re upbeat and conversational, lean into that. If the tone is more formal or serious, match it. It’s about reading the room — even if it’s a virtual one. 4. We can tell when you use AI — don’t. It’s usually obvious when someone’s answers sound too polished or robotic. Authenticity always comes across better than perfection. 5. Practice speaking naturally. Don’t read from a script or notes. We can see your eyes moving, and it breaks the connection. Practice your answers enough that you can speak comfortably and conversationally. 6. Always have questions ready. It shows curiosity and engagement — two qualities every interviewer loves to see. 7. Don’t underestimate “unrelated” experience. Focus on all of your experiences, not just what you think is relevant. That bartending or retail job might show me you’re great with customers or thrive under pressure — skills that often matter more than you think. I know some may see things differently, but hopefully this gives you another perspective — and maybe a leg up in your next interview. If you’ve got questions or want feedback, feel free to message me privately — happy to help where I can. EDIT: I know I said don’t use AI. I’m talking more so in the use of it DURING interviews to answer questions. Did I use it to help write this post? Yes, sometimes it helps use better words than we choose, or catch grammar mistakes. It can be helpful to polish our work, but it shouldn’t create all of it.