Interview Boss

Should you bring a display folder to your job interview, or is that a bit of an overkill? This week, we're answering a listener question about whether it's worth bringing along your certificates, volunteering highlights, and uni achievements. Sarah and Emma explain who this works best for (hello new grads and early-career applicants), how it can add to your overall impression, and the easiest way...

When a job ad lists a certain number of years’ experience, there’s no way to know whether it’s a hard and fast rule or just a guide, and that’s exactly the point. Since you can’t predict which way a company will lean, if you’re close enough, it’s worth applying. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma explain how to make that call and share when it’s worth shooting your shot. We use listener Charlo...

You’ve been invited in for a “casual chat.” No panel, no formal questions, maybe even coffee instead of a meeting room. Sounds chill, right? Not so fast. These chats might feel relaxed, but they’re still interviews, and plenty of people get caught out by treating them like they’re not. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma unpack what “just a chat” really means, when it happens in the hiring proc...

Seeing the job you’ve applied for get re-posted can send you into a full-blown spiral . Does it mean you’re out of the running? That they didn’t like your application? Or is it just bad hiring? In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma unpack exactly what’s going on behind the scenes when a role pops up again after you’ve already applied. From lazy auto-reposts to managers chasing a “perfect” unicorn...

Sometimes in an interview, it becomes clear there’s a genuine mismatch. Maybe they're after three years of experience in an area you’ve only just become familiar with, or the role requires travel, which you can't commit to. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma unpack how to gracefully pivot an interview for a role that’s not the right fit, into a valuable coffee chat instead. This one was inspir...

There's a mysterious condition sweeping through jobseekers everywhere - and no one's immune. It's called ' Interview Mode' Syndrome, and it only flares up in interview conditions. Symptoms include sudden amnesia about your own achievements, robotic tone, and an uncontrollable urge to say 'stakeholder engagement' way too many times. In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma put on their lab coats to d...

Ever walked out of an interview thinking, “I prepared so much… why didn’t my stories land?” So many people practice their 'best bits' stories to within an inch of their life BUT they skip the most powerful (and hardest) step - proper thinking time. In this episode, Sarah and Emma unpack why slowing down to actually think about your stories (not just rehearse them) is what gives your answers real d...

Having two job offers on the table sounds like the dream, but in reality, it can feel like a nightmare decision. Do you take the higher-paying contract role with less security, or settle for the lower salary in a permanent role that feels “safer”? This week, Sarah and Emma unpack a listener dilemma from Lizzy, who’s weighing up a permanent job at a luxury brand with average pay and worrying review...

Ever spotted your dream company online only to realise they aren’t advertising any roles? It can feel like there’s no way in, but what if you could create your own opportunity ? In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma break down how to “shoot your shot” with a company when there isn’t a job listed. From crafting a specific, targeted pitch to finding the right person to email, we cover everything yo...

Being asked about company values in a job interview can feel like a minefield. Do they want a big-picture statement, or a real-life example? And how do you stop yourself from sounding like you’ve just memorised their website? In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma break down how to answer values-based interview questions with confidence. Whether you’re interviewing in healthcare, corporate, govern...

Losing hope in your job search? You’re not alone - but be careful where you turn for support. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma issue a warning about the dangers of falling into online negativity spirals. From comment sections and forums it can feel like everyone is struggling - like the system is broken, and it’s you vs the world. And while there’s often a kernel of truth to these ideas, the...

Ever been hit with an interview question that feels like it has five different parts rolled into one? You start answering, then halfway through you realise you’ve completely lost track of what they even asked. Multi-part interview questions are the worst and they pop up all the time, especially in government, education, and healthcare recruitment. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma break down...

You’ve handed in your resignation and maybe even felt guilty about leaving your team in the lurch. But instead of a heartfelt send-off, you notice you’re left off meeting invites, your projects are quietly reassigned, and your manager suddenly feels distant. By your last week, it’s…crickets. Was none of it appreciated? Did you not matter after all? In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma unpack why...

Quitting your job can feel less like a professional decision and more like a personal betrayal, especially when your boss has been kind, the timing is awkward, or you just really hate confrontation. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma unpack all the emotional landmines that come with handing in your resignation. From guilt and fear, to navigating tricky situations like quitting a job you just s...

Internal interviews can feel super weird, especially when your panel includes people you already work with. Maybe it's your current manager, someone you had a tricky project with, or just colleagues you usually chat to in the kitchen. So how do you pitch yourself without feeling awkward, fake, or like you're stating the obvious? In Part 2 of our deep dive on Internal Interviews, Sarah and Emma sha...

Internal interviews can feel so much harder than regular ones. You're walking into a room full of people who already know you, so how are you meant to do yourself justice without feeling awkward, cringey, or fake? In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma break down the mindset blocks that come up when you're interviewing for a job in your current workplace. Whether you’re going for a supervisor role...

POV: You’ve just stumbled across an AMAZING job ad on LinkedIn, but you immediately notice that dreaded “100+ applicants” warning, and suddenly, imposter syndrome kicks in. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma break down the truth behind LinkedIn’s job stats and why that scary number might not be as intimidating as it seems. We unpack the four different “buckets” of applicants, explain how many...

You’re deep in the interview process and wondering…is this place actually going to be a good fit? In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma unpack the subtle green flags to look out for throughout the hiring process - things that can give you insight into what the company’s really like to work for. From interviewers who clearly know the role and team, to honest conversations about the challenges of t...

You’ve prepped your best bits - epic stories that can be adapted to the key themes of the job like working with stakeholders, problem solving, and leadership. But when you step back and look at them as a whole…do they paint a well-rounded picture of you? In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma explain how even strong, adaptable stories can end up giving a one-dimensional impression if they all cent...

“Why did I apply? Well… I need the money”  In this episode, Sarah and Emma dive into a listener question from Abi, who asked how to professionally say she wants a job for the money, and because the hours suit her. We unpack why those answers don’t quite cut it, and what employers are really asking when they say “Why do you want this job?” Tune in for honest advice, real examples you can steal...

Getting fired doesn’t have to stop you from landing your next amazing gig, but it can make things tricky. This week on Interview Boss, Sarah and Emma unpack a real-life listener dilemma: what to do when you’ve been let go from a job, didn’t get a chance to mention it in the first interview, and now you’re facing the CEO in round two. Do you come clean? Hope they don’t ask? Risk losing the offer? T...

Feeling totally unprepared for a take home task or presentation in an interview? You're not alone. From pitching marketing strategies to solving a business problem or presenting what you'd tackle in your first 90 days, more employers are asking their candidates to show their skills, not just talk about them. But how are you supposed to provide insights for a company you don't even work at yet?! An...

“So… tell me about yourself." "So...why have you applied for this job?" "So...tell me a bit about your career." You're almost guaranteed to be asked a variation of this question FIRST in an interview, yet so many people gloss over it. In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma explain how this is a golden opportunity to fill in the blanks on your resume for the hiring manager and help them understand...

From stressing about repeating yourself, to wondering if the hiring team is comparing notes behind your back, progressing through multiple rounds of interviews can leave you second-guessing what you're supposed to say each time. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma answer a listener question about navigating multi-stage interviews without running out of things to say, using a dating analogy. We...

Landing a job overseas can be tough, but getting sponsored to stay can be even harder. In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma explain why sponsorship is rarely advertised in job ads, and why temporary roles are often the best starting point. We share how to research your visa options, build a flexible plan when the future is uncertain and when it's time to move on from an employer who won't commit...