Building Confidence in Job Interviews

When I interviewed at Google, they asked me: “How many soccer balls fit in a school bus?” Here’s what went through my brain: "WHAT did this guy just ask me?! … I think I’m going to barf… No, Sarah, you can do this.  Wait - what’s the area of a circle? π r²? No, that’s not it. ... How big is a school bus? Does it have seats? Are there kids in it? … This is such a dumb question. WHY are they asking me this?! ... They’re trying to see if I’ll squirm. I actually might barf. SAY SOMETHING, ANYTHING!!." 👉 Don’t be like me. Don’t freeze and spiral in your inner dialogue. So, how’d I handle it? I took a breath, forced a laugh, and said, “Hm. Great question!” - trying to buy myself a few extra seconds. Back to my inner dialogue: “F*ck. AH! Okay, take a step back - What are they *really* asking? Why would *anyone* NEED to fit lots of soccer balls in a school bus? 💡 Oh - that’s a good place to start. Maybe if I understand the problem, I can make a plan.” So, with all the fake confidence I could muster, I said, “Well, to get started, I’ll need to know why we’re putting soccer balls in a school bus; What's the end goal?" The interviewer nodded. I was on the right track. Now that I’ve trained Google interviewers and analyzed thousands of interview feedback reports, I know the right way to answer.  When you get hit with a curveball question that seems totally unrelated to the job, here’s what they want you to do: ✅ Ask clarifying questions to understand the end goal & business needs.  Who’s involved, why, what are the timelines & budgets? Has this been done before?  ✅ Take notes to organize your thoughts. ✅ Make your assumptions explicit. To solve hypothetical problems, you’ll likely have to make assumptions.   ✅ Think out loud. ✅ Don’t rush into solutioning. ✅ Consider alternate approaches. ✅ Address risks & dependencies. At the end of the day, your thought process matters more than the answer. You’ve got this!! Drop the wildest interview Q you've been asked in the comments section & follow me, Sarah Goose, for job search strategies that actually work. ♻️ Repost to help your network.

I’ve bombed so many interviews because I thought memorizing answers would make me sound prepared. Turns out I sounded like a robot reading from a script (who knew?) Then one night, after getting yet another rejection email, I knew I needed to change my strategy. I started using ChatGPT not to write my answers, but to help me practice telling my own story. Today, these are my 10 go-to AI prompts to nail all of my interviews: 👉 1. Practice real mock interviews ↳ Get custom questions that actually match your target role, both technical and behavioral. 👉 2. Generate role-specific questions ↳ AI creates questions divided into technical, behavioral, and situational categories for YOUR specific job. 👉 3. Build STAR Stories that sound like you ↳ Structure your experiences using Situation, Task, Action, Result. Without sounding rehearsed. 👉 4. Turn your resume into stories ↳ Identify your key achievements and transform them into confident, results-driven narratives. 👉 5. Explain complex stuff simply ↳ Learn to break down technical concepts for both technical and non-technical interviewers. 👉 6. Get honest feedback on your answers ↳ AI evaluates your tone, clarity, and structure, then helps you sound more natural and confident. 👉 7. Master the HR and behavioral rounds ↳ Test your emotional intelligence and communication for those culture-fit conversations. 👉 8. Create your personal 7-day prep plan ↳ Build a daily routine with mock questions, review topics, and reflection exercises. 👉 9. Customize Answers for Each Company Align your responses with specific company values, mission, and role expectations. 👉 10. Nail "Tell Me About Yourself" ↳ Craft an intro that connects your journey, skills, and goals to the role, in under 2 minutes. Interview prep isn't about having perfect answers memorized. It's about knowing your story so well that you can tell it naturally, no matter how they ask the question. ChatGPT should be your practice partner, not your scriptwriter. Try these prompts before your next interview. You might surprise yourself with how prepared you actually are 👏 ♻️ Reshare this for someone prepping for interviews and follow me for more AI and career tips!

In high-stakes interviews, knowledge is useless if you can’t access it under pressure. You know that moment.. Your brain goes blank. Your palms sweat. And instead of solving, you start surviving. But here’s the truth → Problem-solving under stress is not a “talent.” It’s a trainable skill. And the candidates I coach who master it often walk out with multiple job offers. Let me break it down with no-fluff, expert-backed techniques that actually work: 1️⃣ Rewire Your Stress Response with the 4-7-8 Reset When your nervous system panics, your prefrontal cortex (the problem-solving part of your brain) shuts down. Before answering, use the 4-7-8 breathing method: Inhale for 4 sec Hold for 7 sec Exhale for 8 sec This activates the parasympathetic system → instantly reduces cortisol and gives you back cognitive control. 2️⃣ Switch from “Answering” to “Framing” Research from Harvard Business Review shows that candidates who frame the problem out loud sound more confident and buy time to think. Instead of jumping straight in, say: “Let me structure my approach — first I’ll identify the constraints, then I’ll evaluate possible solutions, and finally I’ll recommend the most practical one.” This shows clarity under stress, even before the solution lands. 3️⃣ Use the MECE Method (Consulting’s Secret Weapon) Top consulting firms like McKinsey train candidates to solve under pressure using MECE → Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive. Break the problem into 2–3 distinct, non-overlapping buckets. Example: If asked how to improve a delivery app → Think in “User Experience,” “Logistics,” and “Revenue Streams.” This keeps you structured and avoids rambling. 4️⃣ Apply the 30-70 Rule Neuroscience research shows stress reduces working memory. So don’t aim for perfection. Spend 30% of time defining the problem clearly and 70% generating practical solutions. Most candidates flip this and over-explain, which backfires. 5️⃣ Rehearse with Deliberate Discomfort Candidates who only practice “easy” questions crash in high-pressure moments. I make my students solve case studies with distractions, timers, or sudden curveballs. Why? Because your brain learns to adapt under chaos and that resilience shows in interviews. 👉 Remember: Interviewers aren’t hunting for perfect answers. They’re hunting for calm thinkers. The ones who don’t crumble under the weight of uncertainty. That’s how my students at Google, Deloitte, and Amazon got noticed → not by being geniuses, but by staying structured under stress. Would you like me to share a step-by-step mock interview framework for practicing these techniques? Comment “Framework” and I’ll drop it in my next post. #interviewtips #careerdevelopment #problemsolving #dreamjob #interviewcoach

How to Handle Questions About Skills You Don’t Have in Interviews Let’s be real—no one has every skill listed in a job description, and that’s okay! What matters is how you navigate those moments in an interview when a gap in your skill set comes up. Here’s how I approach it: 1️⃣ Acknowledge the gap honestly. If a skill is brought up that you don’t have, avoid the temptation to fake it. Instead, acknowledge it with confidence. For example, “That’s not an area I’ve worked in directly, but…” 2️⃣ Highlight your transferrable skills. Focus on the strengths you do have that could apply to the skill in question. Connect your past experiences to demonstrate your ability to learn and adapt. For instance, “While I haven’t used [specific software], I’ve worked on similar platforms and quickly became proficient. I’m confident I could do the same here.” 3️⃣ Show your willingness to learn. Employers value a growth mindset. Mention any steps you’re already taking to bridge the gap, like taking courses or seeking mentorship, and express enthusiasm about growing in the role. 4️⃣ Keep the conversation solution-focused. The goal is to pivot from what you lack to what you bring. By framing your response around problem-solving and adaptability, you demonstrate that your potential outweighs any current gaps. No one’s perfect, and interviews aren’t about being flawless—they’re about showing how you’ll add value. A little honesty, paired with confidence and curiosity, goes a long way. Have you ever been asked about a skill you didn’t have in an interview? How did you handle it? #interviewskills #interviewquestion #interviews

सीखना बंद तो जीतना बंद। As the founder of a personal branding agency, The Growth Cradle, I’ve sat through more interviews than I can count. But one moment stuck with me: I asked someone what they didn’t know. And their answer? Won them the job. No fluff. No overconfidence. Just a simple: “I haven’t worked with that tool before, but I’m a fast learner. I picked up [X software] in 2 weeks and trained my entire team on it.” That’s when it hit me— Saying “I don’t know” isn’t a red flag. It’s a green one — for growth. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 3 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐲, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 (𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬): 1. Share a failure: Shows growth. Shows reflection. Shows you're not afraid of hard lessons. Example: “In my previous role, I missed a major deadline because I underestimated the scope of a project. But this mistake taught me to be more meticulous with planning and improved my time management significantly. Since then, I’ve never missed a deadline, and even reduced turnaround times by 20%.” 2. Admit when you don’t know something: Signals humility + problem-solving ability. Example: “I’m not familiar with this specific software, but I’m a fast learner. In my previous role, I picked up a new tool within two weeks and became the team’s go-to expert for it.” 3. Pause before answering: Commands attention and gives your brain time to deliver clarity. Example: When asked a complex question, pause for a moment, smile, and say, “That’s a great question, let me think about the best way to answer that.” It shows you’re deliberate, not rushed. It’s not about proving you’re flawless. It’s about proving you’re coachable. Interviews aren’t IQ tests anymore. They’re self-awareness checks. And the moves I just shared, these aren’t tricks — they’re trust builders. And trust gets you hired! #growth #job #hiring #interview #trust #learning

Most interviews are lost before you even say your first word. Your body language gave you away. I’ve coached 100+ professionals through interviews, and here’s the pattern: 👉 Those who master non-verbal cues land offers 3x more often. Your words matter. But your body speaks first. Here are 6 body language secrets most candidates ignore and the ones who master them? They stand out immediately. 1️⃣ The handshake sets the tone Firm grip, 2–3 pumps, direct eye contact. Not crushing. Not limp. 2️⃣ Sit like you belong there Both feet grounded, slight forward lean. Don’t shrink or sprawl. 3️⃣ Eye contact without staring 70% of the time. Use the triangle method: eyes → nose → mouth. 4️⃣ Use hand gestures wisely Open palms = trust. Keep movements natural and within shoulder width. 5️⃣ Mirror their energy level Subtly align with their tone and pace. Instant rapport, without mimicry. 6️⃣ Exit as strong as your entrance Stand tall. Shake hands again. Eye contact with everyone before leaving. ✨ Bonus coaching tips: ✅ Arrive 10 minutes early to settle yourself. ✅ Record mock interviews to refine your presence. ✅ Practice until natural, confidence shows when nerves don’t lead. 💡 The truth: Your technical skills earn you the interview. Your body language wins you the job. So ask yourself, are you only preparing answers, or are you preparing your entire presence? 👉 If you want to master body language and create an interview presence that decision-makers can’t ignore, connect with me on DM if interested. Let’s build your spotlight. #PersonalBranding #CareerSpotlight #InterviewTips #Confidence #Leadership

During a recent mock interview with someone preparing for a data engineer role, we ran into a super common challenge job seekers face: The job description mentioned machine learning and stats, but my mentee only had basic experience in those areas. And with a big presentation coming up, we had to figure out the best way to prepare without wasting time or getting overwhelmed. Here’s what we did: 1) Focus where it matters most I told them: Imagine it’s a test. 90% of the questions are on things you know well, 10% on stuff you don’t. Where would you spend your time? Obviously, on the 90%, that’s where you can really shine. 2) Play to your strengths Instead of cramming complex ML topics overnight, we doubled down on what they already knew: cleaning data, building solid pipelines, writing scalable code—all stuff that directly applies to the job. Then we built a strong presentation around that. 3) Address the gaps without pretending We practiced how to talk about the ML/stats side in a smart way: not by faking expertise, but by showing how their data engineering skills help data scientists succeed. It’s not about having every skill; it’s about showing how you add value to the team. 4) Be real, but show you're a problem solver We also talked about how to confidently say: “I don’t know X yet, but here’s how I’d figure it out or approach it with the tools I do have.” This shows honesty and the mindset every team wants: someone who takes ownership and knows how to solve problems. The result? They walked into that interview feeling confident and clear on how to present themselves. Key reminder: You don’t need to know everything. You just need to show how what you do know makes you a great fit. So here's a question for you: If you have ever faced a situation where you were underqualified in one area, tell us in the comments how you used your strengths to stand out. ➕ Follow Jaret André for daily data job search tips 🔔 Hit the bell icon so you never miss a post

Having spent my career on all sides of the hiring equation, I've seen so many top candidates be passed over for less qualifed choices. The painful truth? There are other factors at play. [But there’s a fix!] Here are some reasons hiring managers cite for ruling out an otherwise excellent candidate: 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝘁 - Their perception of your working style, values, or personality may not align well with the company culture or team dynamics. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘅: Speak to people inside the organization before you interview to unlock cultural details. Have 1-2 examples to show your alignment with the team. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 - Despite strong technical qualifications, you may struggle with speaking clearly, demonstrate active listening, or pick up on social cues. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘅: Practice with someone who can give you actionable feedback. Videotape yourself answering commonly asked questions, watch the videos, and adjust as needed. 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 - Your requirements may be higher than the company's budget or out of alignment with their internal pay scales. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘅: Use resources like mynextmove[dot]org to get data on regional pay scales in your field. Use a range, and indicate you have some flexibility for the right role. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 - Your answers didn't highlight your skills and experience or you may have been negative, arrogant, or lacked energy. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘅: Identify commonly asked questions for the role you’re pursuing, and organize your answers using your stories in the STAR format. Use a platform like BigInterview to get AI feedback on your answers, and video yourself to detect other issues. 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 - Past employers may provide lukewarm references, or there might be concerns about your employment history. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘅: Always speak to your references in advance and update them on any new skills and experiences. Ask them if they feel they can remain a good reference for the role you’re seeking. Then, as you get interviews, alert them and tell them what you’d like them to highlight if they are called. Be transparent about any issues that may come up in a background check. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 - Someone else within the organization might have specific industry experience or connections that make them a better overall fit. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘅: Ask the question, “Are there any internal candidates for this role?” during your first interview. At least that way you won’t be blindsided. ♻️Repost to pull back the curtain on career choice and job search issues! Follow Sarah Baker Andrusfor more advice like this!

I once encountered my worst nightmare as a speaker 👇 I practiced for hours, started my speech, then BAM! My mind went blank. Things don't always go as planned, but that doesn't mean you can't recover or that you can't be better off after it. 🔵 Here's the thing: It can happen to the best of us. It can happen to: → Managers presenting at work → Speakers delivering their signature keynotes → Job seekers answering a question during interviews After all, public speaking is a high-pressure situation, and sometimes, our brains just need a quick reboot. If you ever come across a “scared scriptless” moment, here are three of my proven and tested tips: ✅ Take a breath. Panic clouds judgment. Take a deep breath, slow your heart rate, and regain composure. A few seconds of silence are better than rambling nonsense. ✅ Ask your audience to reflect Remember, messages have to be repeated multiple times for them to stick. Don’t be afraid to repeat yourself or turn the attention back onto the audience with a thought starter like, “Reflect how this concept applies to your life.” ✅ Leverage your slides (if available). Slides can be lifelines. You can use them to jog your memory. Glance at a key term or visual that might spark your recollection and get you back on track. Remember, the audience wants you to succeed. A minor hiccup won't derail your presentation. The best thing you can do is move forward with confidence. If you don’t dwell on it, neither will your audience. If there’s anything I learned from my “scared scriptless” moment, it’s that the audience respects honesty and resilience – and hey, it might even make your presentation more relatable! You got this! 💬 Share your “scared scriptless” experience in the comments! Let’s exchange stories. Check out my 15th LinkedIn Learning Course on Resilient Communication here: https://lnkd.in/geQKvnNX #PublicSpeaking #ProfessionalPresence #Mistakes #LITrendingTopics

“I totally blanked.” You knew the answer. You had the experience. But in the middle of that interview, your mind went quiet—and not in a zen way. You’re not alone. And you’re not underqualified. This kind of freeze happens all the time. And here’s the real reason why: - Your brain isn’t broken. - It’s in protection mode. When a question feels high-stakes, your nervous system reacts like it’s a threat—especially if you’ve ever been a perfectionist, a people-pleaser, or someone who's been made to feel picked apart for how they show up. Fight, flight… or freeze. And in interviews? Freeze can feel like failure. But it’s not. It’s wiring. And you can rewire it. One of the most powerful ways to calm that internal chaos... 📌 Anchor stories. Short, practiced, ready-to-go examples you can reach for in the moment—so your brain isn’t scrambling to improvise under pressure. They: ✔ Give your brain a safe place to go ✔ Re-center your confidence ✔ Make your answers land with clarity, not overthinking If you’ve ever left an interview thinking, "That wasn’t the real me. I know I could’ve nailed it..." —this is your reminder: You still can. — Follow me, Erica Rivera, CPCC, CPRW, for interview strategies, resume rewrites, and career clarity with bite. I teach high-achieving professionals how to pivot with power—without starting over.