For many people, the hardest part of a job interview isn’t answering technical questions or proving they can do the work - it’s talking about themselves.

Sitting across from strangers and trying to confidently explain why you’re amazing can feel awkward, intimidating, or even unnatural.

But here’s the truth: interviews aren’t just about your skills on paper. They’re about your ability to connect, to show up as yourself, and to give your interviewers confidence that you’re the right fit for their team.

The good news? You don’t have to become someone you’re not in order to ace an interview. With the right mindset and a few practical strategies, you can turn the experience into something that feels more like a natural conversation and less like an interrogation.

Here are my best tips for making that shift:

1. Think of It as a Conversation, Not an Interrogation

It’s easy to see interviews as a one-way test, but they’re really about two humans (or a panel of them!) getting to know you.
Try approaching the interview with warmth—smile, use gentle humour where it feels natural, and allow yourself to be present. This not only relaxes you, but it helps your interviewers relax too.

2. Prepare—But Don’t Script

Preparation matters. Knowing your stories, achievements, and examples ahead of time will give you confidence.

But scripting word-for-word answers often creates more stress than it removes. If you forget your “lines,” you risk freezing.

Instead, focus on themes: the 3–4 key strengths or experiences you want to highlight, and practice talking about them in different ways.

A great way to rehearse is by using AI tools for mock interview questions—or even better, asking a trusted friend or family member to play interviewer. The goal is to get comfortable speaking about yourself without sounding rehearsed.

3. Build Connection, Not Just Competence

Yes, you need to prove you have the right skills and experience. But just as important is showing that you’d be a good fit for the team.
Interviewers aren’t just looking for the “most qualified” person—they’re looking for someone they feel comfortable working with day in and day out.

So lean into making an emotional connection: listen well, respond thoughtfully, and let your natural personality come through.

4. Manage Nerves with Perspective

Even the most confident people feel nervous before interviews. That’s normal. What many people forget is that interviewers are often nervous too!

This isn’t their day job—they’re worried about asking the right questions, making a fair decision, and not hiring the wrong person.
Your role is to reassure them. Show them that you’re capable, trustworthy, and someone they’d enjoy working with.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Pause

If you get stuck, it’s absolutely okay to take a breath, collect your thoughts, or even ask, “Could we come back to that question?”

Just make sure you circle back before the interview ends—or, if you prefer, follow up afterward with a thoughtful note and your answer.

And here’s a secret: silence often feels more uncomfortable for the interviewer than for you. Chances are, if you pause for a moment, they may step in with a helpful prompt that gives you clarity.

6. Treat Interviews as Practice

The more interviews you do, the more natural they feel. Apply for roles that interest you, but also don’t be afraid to use some as “practice reps.”

Every interview helps you refine how you present yourself, notice common questions, and get better at telling your story. Even if you stumble, you’ll walk away clearer on what you’d say next time.

Final Thoughts

Interviews don’t have to be something you dread. With the right preparation, perspective, and mindset, they can be opportunities to connect, grow, and even enjoy yourself along the way.

And remember: a confident and positive interview experience often creates momentum. Once you’ve done it successfully, you carry that knowledge forward—you know you can do it again.

✨ If you’ve got an important interview coming up and want extra support, I’d love to help. I’ve coached people through interview prep—giving feedback, refining their answers, and helping them find clarity on what to focus on—and they’ve gone on to have really successful outcomes.

If you’d like to feel calmer, clearer, and more confident for your next interview, let’s chat about how I can support you.