not-so-obvious interview prep.
Here’s a list of random little nuggets I’d share with anyone getting ready for an interview.
Every now and then, in between coaching sessions, I catch myself thinking “oh, I thought this was obvious”, but it’s usually just obvious to me as a former recruiter.
And of course, there’s always more context, and every company and talent team works a bit differently, but maybe this helps someone out there:
use the job ad as your prep guide. You don’t need to show off everything you can do, just connect the dots between your experience and what they’re looking for.
if they ask why you’re leaving your current role, skip what’s wrong with your current company and focus on why you’re excited about theirs.
even though companies should have salary bands and recruiters should share them upfront, it doesn’t always go that way. Come prepared with your own numbers (your walk-away and your happy one).
you don’t need to pretend you’re amazing at everything. Being honest about what you find tricky, and how you deal with it, shows how proactive and self-aware you are. Plus, it helps future teammates imagine working with you.
adapt your language to who you’re speaking with. A recruiter might not follow every super-technical detail, while a hiring manager will probably want to hear it.
“tell me about yourself” isn’t your whole life story. Stick to the highlights: your strengths, impact, where you thrive, and where you’d love to grow.
prep questions that help you decide if this is the right role and company, not to impress the people you are interviewing with.
reaching out to recruiters when applying is cool, but team members often have more insights on the role. And if they like you, they might even drop your name to the talent team.
And if you’ve got an interview coming up and need someone to prep with you so you can show up confident and reassured, I’m here.
about the author:
Hi there! I'm Silja, the founder of the wholesome growth club, an inclusive hub for career coaching with a soft spot for introverts and perfectionists. I’m an Amsterdam-based expat, but I love connecting with people worldwide. With a background in recruiting, I know the struggle of crafting a career path that feels truly yours. At the wholesome growth club, we're all about fostering sustainable growth, meaningful engagement, and authentic connections. Our blog is dedicated to making coaching accessible and sharing insights to approach work and life with an extra dose of confidence, slow productivity, and self-compassion. If you are curious to make things happen for yourself, get in touch—we offer personalized coaching journeys that will get you closer to your (dreamy) goals in no time.
