How to Ace Your INTERVIEW (ep.185)

Looking for guidance on how to ace your job interview? Andrea shares an interview preparation checklist, focused on your preparation before the interview, your communication during the interview, what to do after the interview, and how to answer specific Qs. You can download the free downloadable checklist at talkabouttalk.com/interview

RESOURCES

• The “Ace Your Interview Checklist” free download: https://talkabouttalk.com/interview
• Talk About Talk podcast episodes focused on boosting your confidence:
  • Ep.158 – 7 Ways to Boost Your Confidence & Your Credibility
  • Ep.83 – Let’s Talk Imposter Syndrome
  • Ep.169  – Communicate with Confidence – Mental Preparation

CONNECT WITH ANDREA 

• Website: TalkAboutTalk.com
• LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/
• LinkedIn Talk About Talk:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/
• Newsletter:  https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/
• YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/

 

TRANSCRIPT

Do you have any memorable interview stories?

Any epic fails—either as the interviewer or the interviewee?

I do. And while it wasn’t exactly a disaster, it still haunts me.

This story takes place when I was finishing my doctorate and actively looking for a faculty position. I was in my early 30s, super keen, and well-prepared. Most of my first-round interviews were held back-to-back at a conference hotel—efficient, intense, and generally successful. I turned most of those interviews into second-round invitations.

But not all of them.

There was one interview that didn’t go well. In fact, it was a complete miss. And to this day, I still think about it.

When the “H-bomb” backfires

This interview was with a state school in the U.S. I walked into the room and was met by two middle-aged white men. As soon as they looked at me, they exchanged a glance… and then rolled their eyes. One of them said, “You probably wouldn’t accept a job here anyway. But why don’t you tell us about yourself and why you want to work here?”

Yep—the H-bomb. That’s what we call it when the Harvard credential backfires.

In hindsight, I should’ve stood up, thanked them for their time, and walked out. But I didn’t. I stayed. For the full 45 minutes. And let them grill me.

It. Was. Torture.

Have you ever wanted to walk out of an interview?

Walking out of an interview is a bold move. And honestly, staying was probably the right call. What if those two professors later talked to faculty at another school and said I walked out mid-interview?

Still, that moment sticks with me as my worst interview ever.

And here’s the kicker—I hadn’t even opened my mouth, and they had already decided they didn’t like me.

Even great interviews can be stressful

Even when the interviewer wants to hire you, job interviews can be incredibly anxiety-inducing.

That’s why, in this episode, we’re covering four key things to help you ace your next interview:

1. How to prepare before the interview
2. How to communicate during the interview
3. What to do after the interview
4. How to answer specific questions e