Interview Boss

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 centre around the same kind of experience. Maybe every example comes from one job, or they all focus on high-pressure wins without showing your collaborative or day-to-day strengths.

We’ll show you how to audit your best bits list to make sure you're showcasing the breadth of your experience, not just repeating different versions of the same narrative. You'll learn how to balance your story bank, fill any gaps, and walk into your interview ready to show the full picture of what you bring to the table.

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Alice who bought us 5 coffees!

“Hi Emma and Sarah! I am such a fan of the podcast. Your content is so fun and very digestible which is why I have been a listener for nearly 2 years. You have helped me on what has been a roller coaster of a job search so buckle up. I work in the legal industry and have been trying to break away from a paid internship type role into my first job as a legit lawyer. My dream was to move out of state and work in a certain job. I interviewed for this job the first time and just missed out (i.e. runner up candidate). I listened to your episode on being the runner up candidate which was awesome during this time. This gave me the kick up the backside that I needed to improve what I could control. I got a career coach to look through my resume and signed up for Interview Academy. After doing the course and showing off my best bits, I left every interview I got in the meantime feeling awesome and like I did my best. I even interviewed for my dream job, but I got so close and missed out. But it didn’t hit me as hard. Interview after interview, and rejection after rejection, after about a year of searching. I kept revisiting my notes, best bits, and your episodes to help me realise that I am an awesome candidate. You really gave me the confidence to realise that. One of these interviews was for a job in my home state. This was a lawyer job with such good training and experience. I got into a pool which I was bummed about at first, but then I went travelling and within a few weeks, got the offer! I will be starting a few weeks after I return. Even though I didn’t come out of the process with my so called “dream job”, I am so grateful that your help has led me to a bigger realisation. I realised that putting a job on a pedestal can be a bad thing and I am so happy with the job I got. I get to be with my family and friends for a little longer, gain awesome experience, and really evaluate what I want in my career and life. Maybe even get that out of state job when I’ve got experience behind me! You are amazing at what you do and give job seekers the confidence to never be ashamed of trying. My best bits will be amazing to someone - just like between the two personal assistants! Best wishes and sending love your way xx”

🎥 Check out BRAND NEW free training - Top Interview Tips https://www.interviewboss.com.au/top-interview-tips

🏫 To get step by step help with your interview prep on demand check out our Interview Academy https://www.interviewboss.com.au/interview-academy

☕ Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewboss

☎️ To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coaching 

❤️  Follow us on Instagram

📒 Check out our website for free jobseeker resources

www.interviewboss.com.au

Our other episodes about best bits:

Best bits explained

The BEST way to prepare for a job interview

How to answer behavioural job interview questions

Interview worthy examples - what makes a good story?

How to level up your interview answers: why the ‘situation’ matters most!

Send this to your job interview practice buddy

“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, and the shampoo analogy you didn’t know you needed.

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Aaron “Hey girls, I’m Aaron. I just wanted to write in and say thank you! Your podcast was a little beacon of sanity throughout a very long, stressful and competitive interview process! I applied for my state's fire and rescue service last year, and followed along with your podcast for resume preparation, group assessment tips, interview preparation tips and guidance (those best bits kick butt!) and even on the advice like clenching my TOES! It did work! I found out last week that I am one of the very lucky few (60 from 8000 applicants) who successfully gained a position on a training course! I know I wouldn't have got here without the help of the Pod and you gals keeping me on track! Thanks again and unfortunately I don’t know if I’ll be listening in again - I hope to spend the rest of my career helping the community and keeping people safe! - but might tune back in just to see what’s new in the interview world! Thanks legends!”

🎥 Check out BRAND NEW free training - Top Interview Tips https://www.interviewboss.com.au/top-interview-tips

🏫 To get step by step help with your interview prep on demand check out our Interview Academy https://www.interviewboss.com.au/interview-academy

☕ Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewboss

☎️ To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coaching 

❤️  Follow us on Instagram

📒 Check out our website for free jobseeker resources

www.interviewboss.com.au

Episodes we talked about

What to include in your career story to ace that first interview question!

So... tell us about yourself - Part 2

So... tell us about yourself (aka the art of storytelling)

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?

Tune in for our honest take on transparency in multi-stage interviews and how much to disclose.

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Amy who bought us 5 coffees!

“So after 10 years at my job in the tv industry I was made redundant and felt like absolute shit. I was definitely stuck in a rut at my old job and had no career growth due to management always giving opportunities to favourites and leaving me behind. After taking a month-long holiday, I started looking for jobs. I didn't apply to just anything, I wanted it to be the right fit for me and a good match. So the only job I applied for, I got a call for an interview 4 days later. Having not done an interview in 10 years I panicked and started prepping by listening to your podcast. I took notes, was totally prepared and absolutely aced the interview (the listen to right before your interview ep helped too!) and totally confident in answering the salary expectation question and put it back on them. They called a few days later for a "coffee chat with the GM" - but I knew this was actually a "second interview" and listened to those eps. Again I walked out feeling great and they called to offer me the job the next day. I negotiated my butt off to push them to the absolute max salary (thanks to you guys), and now I'm getting paid $50k more than my old job. And the funniest thing is the office is right down the street from my old work, so I will definitely be running into ex colleagues and I'll have a huge smile on my face when I do! It's pretty funny when I'm parking right outside my old work, they must be very confused! Anyway thank you ladies you rock!! Ep suggestion - navigating redundancy and feelings of worthlessness."

🎥 Check out BRAND NEW free training - Top Interview Tips https://www.interviewboss.com.au/top-interview-tips

🏫 To get step by step help with your interview prep on demand check out our Interview Academy https://www.interviewboss.com.au/interview-academy

☕ Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewboss

☎️ To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coaching 

❤️  Follow us on Instagram

📒 Check out our website for free jobseeker resources

www.interviewboss.com.au

Mentioned in this episode: you're fired

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?! And what if they steal your ideas?!

In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma address these common fears.

We explain how much time to spend preparing, what the employer is looking for and why showing your thinking matters way more than having all the answers.

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Lauren who bought us 10 coffees!

"Hey interview boss queens, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your content. I was a regular listener for your podcast for about 12 months while I searched for a job (I am a project manager, working in commercial media). I networked, polished my resume, interviewed over and over again. I got close thrice (second interview, final stage) only to be rejected due to more specialised applicants. Your acknowledgement of how hard the mental struggle is to persist was really validating I'm so pleased to say I've just signed a contract on a new job which comes with a $17k pay rise, with commission and higher earning potential in the future!! It's a strategy & sales role, the perfect fit for me. Your interview tips, best bits packaging, and frank advice on starting with the resume, as well as how to network all got this over the line for me (I previously worked at the same company as the Head of Sales and reached out to them who invited me to apply). YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST. If I can leave my own tip, I always read 'The First 90 Days' by Michael D. Watkins when I start a new job, all about what to do in the first 90 days to set yourself up for success. I am so glad I can finally dust this off the shelf again!!! Thanks so much Emma and Sarah.”

🎥 Check out BRAND NEW free training - Top Interview Tips https://www.interviewboss.com.au/top-interview-tips

🏫 To get step by step help with your interview prep on demand check out our Interview Academy https://www.interviewboss.com.au/interview-academy

☕ Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewboss

☎️ To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coaching 

❤️  Follow us on Instagram

📒 Check out our website for free jobseeker resources

www.interviewboss.com.au

Mentioned in this episode: Our episode on presentations

“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 how your career path has unfolded and what's motivated you along the way.

We share two examples of real career stories to help you understand the kind of powerful insights a great answer can offer, and how it can shape the way the employer sees your entire application.

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Savannah who is an Interview Academy alumni!

"Hello! Just messaging to give you some feedback on Interview Academy. I used the program to apply and interview for my dream job (internal application at my current workplace) and was successful! I was also told that this recruitment was particularly competitive. When offered the job the hiring manager and several panel members told me that they were seriously impressed with my interview skills. I even used my interview preparation for one of my best bits. I was asked 'tell me about a time you faced a set back at work and what actions did you take after the situation.' I spoke about my previous interview and how I wasn’t successful and received feedback that my interview answers were not detailed enough. So for this application I focused on improving my skills through using the program.”

🎥 Check out BRAND NEW free training - Top Interview Tips https://www.interviewboss.com.au/top-interview-tips

🏫 To get step by step help with your interview prep on demand check out our Interview Academy https://www.interviewboss.com.au/interview-academy

☕ Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewboss

☎️ To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coaching 

❤️  Follow us on Instagram

📒 Check out our website for free jobseeker resources

www.interviewboss.com.au

Our other episodes on the 'tell me about yourself' question:

https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/c6ee27a8-755d-45b3-b16b-299fd8beb19e/775907.mp3

https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/e20c0cbb-e3a6-42c5-b5d3-3cb582b112bd/S3-E28-tell-me-about-yourself.mp3

https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/f018e87c-806d-4f5a-b32e-7e126146577d/S3-E23-Avoiding-the-Topic.mp3

Mentioned in this episode:

New To the Podcast? Start Here!

Episodes For Your Situation

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 explain why it's okay to repeat yourself, how much interviewers actually talk behind the scenes, and why consistency is far more important than coming up with "new" examples.

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Katherine who bought us 3 coffees!

“Thank you so much! Last Summer my husband accepted a job role in Sydney so we packed up everything in the UK and made the move in November. I left my job which I loved and started listening to your podcast a lot! In all honesty I thought it would be much easier than it was to find new work and even just getting interviews has been a real challenge. We’ve been living here in Aus for 6 months and I was starting to get a bit disheartened by the whole thing but… I’ve just landed an amazing new role with a fantastic organisation! I wanted to send a huge thank you, I used so many of your tips and insights and it really helped me to get more of a feel for the Australian job market which was invaluable. Up until now I also had a real mental block about interviews and thought I was terrible at them but your approach has made all the difference and I now feel that when I get an interview I can smash it! So excited for my new job and next adventure. Thank you!”

🎥 Check out BRAND NEW free training - Top Interview Tips https://www.interviewboss.com.au/top-interview-tips

🏫 To get step by step help with your interview prep on demand check out our Interview Academy https://www.interviewboss.com.au/interview-academy

☕ Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewboss

☎️ To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coaching 

❤️  Follow us on Instagram

📒 Check out our website for free jobseeker resources

www.interviewboss.com.au

Mentioned in this episode:

https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/f48c441d-65e9-4dab-b8bc-6a3eb77ba0b5/S02-20-20E29.mp3

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.

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Ruth who bought us a coffee!

“Less than 24 hours before my job interview, I found your podcast on a long drive to my friends to get my hair fixed (yes, the day before an interview, last minute!). I immediately found your way of talking easy to listen to and understand (kiwi here), I loved your take on interviews and by the return journey I had listened to the Best Bits episode and the Pre-interview pep talk one too. I spent my evening scoping out 4 of my best bits and all the relevant Q topics they could answer. I had already prepped in my own way, and also prepared a 10-min presentation of a campaign as requested, but the best bits idea just unlocked something for me and I knew I was going to do well. Instead of waiting for them to ask the 'right' questions for me to share what I wanted, I just turned every question into talking about what I wanted to share. Sometimes it was a cheeky pivot, but they didn't seem to care. I had them grinning ear-to-ear, loving my ideas and when I said my ideal salary at the end they were just like, "yes makes sense". Before the day was out they told me I was the preferred candidate, they checked my references and Monday told me I'd gotten it and they gave me the highest available salary for that position. (Only $3k shy of my pie-in-the-sky ideal). There are many things I've done to get to this point to build my confidence after being self-employed for 8 years, but I honestly credit the cherry on top of feeling 100% ready and that I was going to smash it was from you guys. Thank you so much - I finally feel that this mid-career pivot is paying off. Also I'm telling all my friends to listen.”

🎥 Check out BRAND NEW free training - Top Interview Tips https://www.interviewboss.com.au/top-interview-tips

🏫 To get step by step help with your interview prep on demand check out our Interview Academy https://www.interviewboss.com.au/interview-academy

☕ Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewboss

☎️ To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coaching 

❤️  Follow us on Instagram

📒 Check out our website for free jobseeker resources

www.interviewboss.com.au

You’ve signed the contract for your new job, but that doesn’t mean you have to start the very next day!

In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma explain why there's no need to rush from one job straight to another and how to clearly communicate that you'll be taking a short break before starting.

We share the exact wording you can use, how to avoid falling for pretend pressure, and what to do if flexibility actually isn’t possible.

Whether you want a week off, a few days, or just a weekend to reset, this episode will help you take it, confidently.

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Nina who bought us 10 coffees!

“Emma and Sarah! I just landed a new role that comes with a 53% pay increase, amazing benefits, and the chance to build a brand new program from scratch, and I have to give a huge ‘thank you’ to Interview Boss for helping me get there. Your Best Bits framework leveled up how I approach interviews. I already had found great success with the S.T.A.R format, but Best Bits gave me even better direction for which examples to pick and made me understand that I should use my examples to share what I want prospective employers to know about me versus what I think they are trying to learn about me. I also used Best Bits in a previous interview cycle. I got through the final-round, but the role was pulled. Still, I’m pretty sure it was mine and credit Interview Boss for the framework but also for boosting my confidence and helping me make more informed decisions about my application and interview strategy. For the role I just landed I had seven interviews, including four back-to-back interviews in one day with six people. The last that day was a presentation, and it concluded with an executive interview the next week. Some questions were ‘tell me about a time’ and others were ‘what would you do if,’ either way, I found ways to weave in my Best Bits and tell my story. I genuinely loved my last job and manager, but with limited room to grow and uncertainty about the company’s future, I decided to not wait and find out what would happen to me, but take command of my future. While this new role doesn’t come with my previous senior title, the compensation and benefits package more than makes up for it— a reminder that titles aren’t the only marker of progress. I was approached for this role by a former colleague, but I still treated every interview with the utmost respect and like I had something to prove—which I think I did despite being invited to apply. So thank you, Emma and Sarah, for giving me the tools to take command of my career and reach a salary amount that will truly change my family and I’s life. Enjoy the coffee! P.S. I would love an episode on how to track and save best bits over time to reduce the work as you prep for interviews. Thinking maybe you could create an AI prompt to give it structure and let AI do some of the heavy lifting?"

🎥 Check out BRAND NEW free training - Top Interview Tips https://www.interviewboss.com.au/top-interview-tips

🏫 To get step by step help with your interview prep on demand check out our Interview Academy https://www.interviewboss.com.au/interview-academy

☕ Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewboss

☎️ To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coaching 

❤️  Follow us on Instagram

📒 Check out our website for free jobseeker resources

www.interviewboss.com.au

POV: you're kicking yourself for going blank or giving a really waffly answer in an interview, only to have an epiphany about what you should have said, once you've left the building! Sound familiar?

In this week’s episode, we’re answering a listener DM about whether it's worth following up to redeem yourself. Is it helpful? Is it too late? Will it even make a difference?

Emma breaks down what you need to consider before hitting send, while Sarah shares a story about a truck driver who handled this exact conundrum perfectly.

If you’ve ever replayed an interview over and over in your head, this one’s for you. We’re diving into regret, recovery, and the power of perspective when things don’t go to plan.

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Annelise who bought us 3 coffees!

'Emma and Sarah, I have just received an amazing job offer and one of the first things I thought of was "I need to buy them a coffee and let them know about this!!" I've been listening to your podcast since late last year, when I decided to shoot my shot. I really like working at my current company, but there aren't many career development opportunities for me anymore. And your episode on rage applying for new jobs was the extra push I needed to get into that mindset! Last time I had an interview was seven years ago, when I was trying to get an internship in a very competitive market. I went through multiple online tests, cases, presentations, but getting an offer was really hard and I ended up developing some anxiety around interviews. A month ago, when a recruiter reached out to me on LinkedIn about an amazing opportunity at a tech company, I didn’t think twice and started listening to all your episodes about the interview process. I went through an interview with HR, an interview with the managers, a slide deck presentation and a final interview with the department's director. And you had episodes for every. Single. Step!! The Best Bits episodes was definitely a game-changer for me, as they are for many people. But I also want to highlight the one about bringing notes to the interviews. It made me more confident to learn that I am not getting tested on my memory during an interview. I used to be afraid of forgetting something important, blanking, or not remembering my questions to ask at the end. This time, I felt more in control and calm going into the interviews because I knew I had some notes to refer to if needed. Thank you for your funny and always down to earth advice. Thank you for keeping me sane when I was freaking out right before an interview or when waiting to hear back. Every time I have the chance, I recommend your podcast to friends and family. Much love from Brazil!’

🎥 Check out BRAND NEW free training - Top Interview Tips https://www.interviewboss.com.au/top-interview-tips

🏫 To get step by step help with your interview prep on demand check out our Interview Academy https://www.interviewboss.com.au/interview-academy

☕ Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewboss

☎️ To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coaching 

❤️  Follow us on Instagram

📒 Check out our website for free jobseeker resources

www.interviewboss.com.au

Mentioned in this episode:

New To the Podcast? Start Here!

Episodes For Your Situation

If you've ever downplayed your role in a successful project because it was a team effort, this episode is a must listen!

Many jobseekers worry about sounding arrogant when discussing a project they were part of in interviews, especially if it led to a big result, like a spike in revenue.

But here's the thing: underselling yourself isn't as humble as you think! Owning your part in a shared success isn't just okay, it's essential!

In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma share practical advice on how to highlight your impact, while striking the perfect balance between honesty, confidence, and collaboration.

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Matilde who bought us 5 coffees!

“HI GIRLIIIIIES (huge feminine energy coming your way)! Where should I start? It’s going to be a long one. I’ve been in a professional transition for the past 1.5 years. I was fortunate enough to quit my job and then go back for a few months. I was stuck in a weird place where I was too senior for junior roles, and too junior for senior roles. There is THIS job at THIS place that I’ve been talking about for 4 years now. It’s been such a long time that I felt like a stalker sometimes. And guess what, YES, THIS exact opportunity opened on the market at the perfect time. I applied in early December, and I knew the process would only start in January so what did I do? PREPARE. The thing I was most anxious about is that I’m French, and the position needed to be bilingual. While I do speak English, I’ve never interviewed in English. During the Christmas break, I decided to look for a podcast in English, to train myself to listen and talk in English and wtf do I find? YOU. I spent HOURS listening to your podcast (#1 is the tell me about yourself episodes, and #2 the best bits of course) I practiced SO much, and having the best bits ready was a true blessing. They didn’t ask a question about something? NO PROBLEM - I’m going to tell them anyway. Omg it worked WONDERS. I absolutely SMASHED the interviews, especially the one with the senior director and VP. It took 3 months and 2 new friends (aka you) that don’t even know me (I told you… borderline stalker) but I GOT IT OMG!!! I got the offer this week, for a better salary than I asked, with amazing compensation. I’m so happy so I wanted to let you know. Enjoy the coffees, I wouldn’t drink 5 at a time, it’s risky - but who am I to judge??? P.S because I NEED to know, where does the « oh oh oh oh » of the jingle come from? It kinda sounds like ‘No control’ by One Direction - is this it??? Your new stalker sister, Matilde.”

🎥 Check out BRAND NEW free training - Top Interview Tips https://www.interviewboss.com.au/top-interview-tips

🏫 To get step by step help with your interview prep on demand check out our Interview Academy https://www.interviewboss.com.au/interview-academy

☕ Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewboss

☎️ To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coaching 

❤️  Follow us on Instagram

📒 Check out our website for free jobseeker resources

www.interviewboss.com.au