6 Unique Tips for Job Interview Preparation
Job interviews can be daunting, but with the right preparation, success is within reach. This article presents unique and effective strategies to help job seekers stand out from the competition. Drawing from expert insights, these tips cover everything from tailoring answers to optimizing energy, ensuring candidates are well-equipped for their next interview.
- Tailor Answers to Target Audience
- Optimize Energy for Compelling Presence
- Align with Future Self Using Psycho-Physiognomy
- Navigate Interviews with Narrative Compass
- Structure Responses Using STAR Method
- End Interview with Genuine Gratitude
Tailor Answers to Target Audience
Every job interview needs to be approached differently in order to be successful. I recommend focusing on the target audience (recruiter, Hiring Manager, peers, executives, etc.) and tailoring your answers to their role, as well as determining strategic questions to ask them given their level in the organization. I also recommend ensuring the "tell me about yourself" answer is VERY SPECIFIC to the role, company mission, vision, and values, and ONLY highlights aspects of your career that are relevant to the position you are targeting. This tailored approach demonstrates that the candidate has effectively conducted research and is genuinely interested in being considered for the opportunity.
Optimize Energy for Compelling Presence
My approach to helping clients prepare for job interviews centers on mindset and a compelling, engaging presence - because success starts well before the first question is asked. I guide clients to step into interviews with confidence, authenticity, and the right energy to connect with their interviewers.
First, I encourage them to believe in themselves fully, without feeling pressured to tick every single box on the job requirements. The goal isn't perfection - it's a compelling presence combined with clear communication. That mindset shift alone often lightens the internal load and opens space for genuine confidence.
A key part of my preparation work is teaching an energy optimization technique. This helps clients show up with compelling, focused energy - calm but vibrant - so they engage interviewers from the moment they enter the room (or video call). This energetic presence can be just as powerful as the words they speak.
I also help clients avoid overtalking by practicing concise, impactful answers, on the one hand, and using confidence tools on the other (such as power posing, NLP or other techniques I share in my book "Speak up, Stand out and Shine"). We rehearse thinking on their feet, so they can respond fluidly, even when faced with unexpected questions. Importantly, I remind them it's okay not to have all the answers. Owning that vulnerability is far more authentic than trying to fake certainty.
Finally, I shift the focus from past accomplishments alone to owning and articulating their potential - what they bring now and will bring in the future. This forward-looking perspective resonates deeply with hiring teams - because it provides insights on how the candidate will provide value - and sets candidates apart.
Together, these elements prepare clients not just to answer questions, but to command the interview room with energy, clarity, and self-assurance.
Of course, we also cover the essentials: doing due diligence on the company, role, and interviewers; crafting a strong, grounded introduction; preparing thoughtful questions to ask; reviewing common and role-specific questions to answer; and ensuring tech, lighting, and background are clean and professional for online interviews. I also remind clients to stay centered and composed as they enter the conversation - simple practices like taking a deep breath or grounding their body can help them stay focused and clear.
Align with Future Self Using Psycho-Physiognomy
I prepare my clients for meeting their future life, not for rehearsing Q&As. They aren't just showing up for an evaluation in an interview; they're there to invite alignment. They need to see and feel themselves in the future, aligned with the qualities I read from their faces using a technique called psycho-physiognomy. The confidence and authenticity they display during the interview comes from within, and this clarity is gained during our preparation.
Navigate Interviews with Narrative Compass
I always start by reframing how the client views the interview. It's not a test—it's a two-way conversation. At Spectup, we often coach startup founders before investor meetings, and it's not that different from a job interview. It's about clarity, confidence, and controlled storytelling. One unique technique we use is what I call the "narrative compass." We help clients build 3-4 core stories that highlight their strengths, values, and problem-solving mindset. Then, no matter what question comes their way, they steer back to one of those stories—without sounding rehearsed.
I remember working with a founder who kept freezing when asked behavioral questions. We had him practice this compass approach by linking every answer back to his experience scaling a product with no budget. By the time the real interview came, he wasn't answering questions—he was owning the conversation. It's subtle but powerful. That shift from reactive to intentional makes all the difference.
Structure Responses Using STAR Method
My approach to interview coaching centers on building clients' confidence and tailoring their responses to the specific role they're targeting. One effective technique I use is the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—which helps clients structure their answers to behavioral questions. This not only keeps their responses clear and concise but also ensures they highlight achievements that align with the job requirements.
I also emphasize the power of storytelling. Instead of giving generic answers like "I handled a difficult project," I encourage clients to explain the context, describe the actions they took, and share the outcome. This approach makes their responses more engaging and memorable, turning standard interview questions into opportunities to showcase their strengths and experience. It's a simple yet powerful way to help candidates stand out.
End Interview with Genuine Gratitude
I always suggest that clients end their interview with a "mic drop."
The mic drop isn't a way to sell yourself or say something impressive. It actually means ending with a note of gratitude.
Be genuine and thank them for taking the time to meet with you. Appreciate them. This will help forge a real connection.
You could say something like:
"Morgan, before we wrap up, I just want to say that I had been genuinely looking forward to this conversation with you. Thank you for taking the time. Regardless of how this turns out, I really appreciate the chance to speak with you."
Bam, mic drop.
