I do well in interviews, but that was not always the case. I now excel at them, not because I have perfect answers, but because I treat interviews like regular conversations.
This midset shift has helped me a lot. Guess what. Interviewers want you to succeed. In general, you get interviewers that have been on the other side, they care about you and, also, they want to hire ASAP.
Here’s what actually works for me:
1. I practice talking, not answers
Simple exercise:
- Get a friend
- Ask them to throw random interview questions at you
- Talk for 5 minutes straight on each one
This trains the exact muscle you use in interviews:
- Thinking clearly under pressure
- Structuring thoughts on the fly
- Sounding natural instead of rehearsed
I now prepare several questions in advance, write them down and then practice out loud. I'm not memorizing answers word by word, but this exercise helps me have more content, be more specific, quantify better my achievements and, most important, it makes me feel more confident and sound more natural. Crazy part? Interviewers notice as well. They see a well prepared and confident candidate.
2. I research the role and company
My method: I leverage AI to conduct a Deep Research and get detailed information about the company. I now understand who they are, what they do and why they care.
You probably don't need to memorize much, but reading a 2-page report on the company helps you position yourself with what they need.
3. I see myself as the one bringing value, not the applicant that needs a job
This mindset change is huge.
They have a problem:
- an empty role
- missed goals
- lack of expertise
You’re there because they have a need, and you might be the solution.
I go into interviews thinking: “They need me more than I need them.”
That mindset alone keeps you calm, grounded, and confident.
4. I take control and lead when needed
If I sense the interview is unstructured, I’ll say something like: “I know we have limited time, so I’d love to quickly walk you through how my experience fits this role, hear your priorities, and then ask you a few questions. Does that work?”
This is a power move. It shows confidence, clarity, and leadership.
And it works.
5. Authenticity is key
One thing I don’t recommend:
- cheating
- lying
- using AI tools live in interviews
Interviewers spot it immediately.
Be yourself. It’s the only sustainable strategy.
6. Rejection still happens, and that’s expected
You can do everything right and still not get the job.
I’m senior-level, mostly headhunted, and still:
- Hundreds of applications
- Dozens of interviews
- Many final rounds
- Fewer offers than expected
It messes with your confidence. That’s normal. But final decisions are not on you. So take it as good practice and move on to the next one. The more you practice, the better you become. Take it as a learning step and not a rejection.