How to Ace Your Interviews with Preparation

It's time! You’ve got an interview scheduled and it’s time to prep. But how? The normal stuff has its place but there’s better options. ✴️Prepare a reusable presentation on previous work: In one of my interviews they asked for a systems deep dive. I put together a presentation. The next week I was able to reuse the presentation when they weren’t expecting that. I looked amazingly prepared and organized. ✴️Build a demo: Portfolios are nice, demos show you more. Give me 3 minutes playing a game you made or a tool you created? That’s easily worth 300 minutes of looking at the code. ✴️Review your interviewers linkedin: Oftentimes you’ll get the name of who’s interviewing you. Look them up on LinkedIn! That essentially gives you their resume. That and their posts will tell you what they really care about. With that you can deeply prepare. ✴️Define your work philosophy: Prepare yourself for those super common questions. ‘How do you work crossfunctionally?’ ‘What does good <your discipline> look like?’ Write it out.  Review it.  Practice it. ✴️Develop your story bank. There’s about a dozen behavioral questions You can expect to see 3 of them during a loop. This one though is tricky: and deserves its own post. So next up:  How imposter syndrome is ruining your story bank. What’s your favorite interview preparations?

How you show up visually still matters. Interviews are about skills, mindset, and potential. First impressions start before the first question is asked. How someone dresses or carries themselves communicates a lot: respect for the process, attention to detail, and awareness of context. It’s not about being formal, it’s about being intentional. You need to look like you understand the environment you’re stepping into. Clean, professional, and aligned with the company’s culture often says, “I’ve done my homework.” Presentation won’t win the job alone, but it can open the door for your ideas to be heard. The way you show up sets the tone for everything that follows.

If panel interviews haven’t tested your nerves before, check your circuits, you might be a robot 😂 Let’s be honest, Walking into a panel interview feels like stepping into a movie scene you didn’t rehearse for. Five people. Ten eyes. A dozen questions. And you’re right there, trying to remember your name, your story, and your biggest weakness all at once. If you’ve ever faced one, you know it can feel like stepping into the spotlight with multiple eyes on you. It can be intimidating, and let’s be honest it’s a bit of a nightmare for many. But guess what? I’ve been there, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. Here are a few key points to keep in mind (and breathe easier through the process): 1️⃣ Know Your Panel: Research who will be in the room. Understanding their roles and backgrounds helps you tailor your responses and makes it easier to connect. (This might not be possible in some scenarios) 2️⃣ Stay Engaged: Make eye contact with each panel member. It shows confidence and respect (and prevents that awkward moment of staring at just one person). 3️⃣ Be Concise and Clear: With multiple interviewers, time is limited. Answer questions thoughtfully but get to the point, no need to narrate your entire autobiography. 4️⃣ Handle Tough Questions Gracefully: When hit with a challenging question, stay calm, smile, and show your problem-solving mindset. Remember, they’re testing how you think — not trying to trap you. 5️⃣ Follow Up: After the interview, send personalized thank-you notes to your interviewers. It leaves a lasting impression and shows professionalism. And here’s where I come in. From last year October, I’ve helped 40+ individuals navigate the complexities of panel interviews, And I’m passionate about empowering others to shine even under pressure. If you’re preparing for a panel interview, let’s connect! DM me 'INTERVIEW', and let’s get you ready to impress, connect, and conquer that panel. Because trust me, if you can survive a panel interview, you can survive almost anything 😂 #PanelInterviews #CareerCoaching #InterviewPreparation #ProfessionalGrowth #ClarityDropWednesdays #PrimeCareerHub

Most people prepare for interviews to get approved. The smart ones prepare to get remembered. Here’s how to actually stand out — not just blend in. Know your story. Be clear on why you’re here and how you got here — not just your job titles. Have your wins ready. Numbers speak louder than adjectives. “I grew sales by 40%” beats “I’m a hard worker.” Research the interviewer. Learn who’s sitting across from you — not just the company. Prepare your 3 key talking points. What do you want them to remember about you? Anticipate challenges. Be ready to discuss your toughest project and what you learned from it. Show curiosity. Ask smart questions about their goals, not just the job description. Bring energy, not nerves. Confidence is contagious — let them feel it. Don’t over-rehearse. You’re not acting; you’re connecting. Know your non-negotiables. Be clear on what you won’t compromise on. Follow up like a pro. Send a thank-you note that reminds them why you fit. Interviews aren’t about getting picked — they’re about finding alignment. Show up prepared, not polished. That’s what gets remembered.

Landing an interview is just the first step. What you do after can make a huge difference in whether you land the role or fade from memory. In this carousel, I’m breaking down 3 types of follow-up messages every candidate should know: 1️⃣ The Check-In – show enthusiasm, gratitude, and professionalism right after the interview. 2️⃣ The Reminder – politely nudge when you haven’t heard back, without seeming pushy. 3️⃣ The Final Message – leave a lasting, positive impression, even if the role is taking longer than expected. Each slide includes the exact timing for sending each message and word-for-word examples you can use, so you’ll never have to wonder what to say or when. Swipe through to see a simple, actionable strategy that will make your follow-ups feel effortless, professional, and memorable!

😅 Interviews are stressful. Here’s how to survive with style: 1️⃣ Smile like you mean it – not like you just saw your ex. 2️⃣ Answer with impact – “I did X… and saved Y hours/money!” 3️⃣ Pause before answering – silence = power. 4️⃣ Bring 3 mini stories – success, challenge, learning (bonus if coffee is involved ☕). 5️⃣ Ask a curveball – “What’s the weirdest thing no one tells new hires?” Interviews aren’t tests. They’re conversations you get paid to have. Be human. Be memorable. 😎 👇 Funniest/weirdest interview question you’ve ever gotten? Share below!

💭 Most people never send a follow-up email after an interview which is truly a missed opportunity.🤷🏾♀️ It doesn’t need to be long or formal. A simple, thoughtful message that thanks the interviewer for their time and briefly reinforces your excitement for the role can make you stand out.🌞 It shows gratitude, confidence, and professionalism which are three things hiring managers remember. Plus, it opens the door for future conversations if things don’t work out right away.😉 One thing that helped me feel more confident when writing mine was using Runway interview preparation tools, they give you personalized insights and talking points that make your communication stronger from start to finish. 💬 Do you send follow-up emails after interviews, or do you think they’re overrated? #CareerTips #InterviewAdvice #ProfessionalGrowth #JobSearch #Runway

I once entered an interview session and words failed me. Not because I didn’t know what to say, But because I didn’t know how to say it. Chim🤧 I knew my skills. I knew I could do the job. But when it was time to speak, my mind went blank. I realized later, confidence isn’t just knowing your stuff. It’s knowing how to communicate it. That day taught me a lesson: You can have all the skills, but if you can’t express them clearly, you’ll always look unprepared. Here’s what I learned since then 👇🏽 1. Practice your story: Don’t memorize lines. Understand your journey. (At least, you know how you started?) Be ready to explain how you’ve grown and what you’ve learned. 2. Know the problem you solve: Every interview question is asking: “How can you help us?” Answer with value, not titles. 3. Prepare examples: Don’t just say “I’m hardworking.” Say, “I once handled 3 clients at once and still delivered early.' What’s one thing you wish you had said better in your last interview?

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂 🕐 Research says interviewers form opinions within the first 5 minutes The rest of the interview often just confirms what they already feel. If you are rejected: - Not because you aren’t qualified. - Not because you didn’t have the skills. - But because first impressions speak louder than resumes. That means your energy, tone, and confidence in those opening moments shape your entire outcome. So the next time you walk into an interview: ✅ Sit tall — posture tells a story before you speak. ✅ Smile genuinely. It signals confidence, not arrogance. ✅ Start with a strong, warm introduction own your space. Because your first few minutes aren’t just an introduction. They’re your audition for trust. Make it count. ✨ The decision might be made in 5 minutes — but you decide what story those 5 minutes tell. Have you ever felt the interviewer made up their mind too soon?

🎯 5 Interview Tips to Help You Stand Out Interviews aren’t just about answering questions — they’re about showing how you think, communicate, and connect. Here are a few key tips to help you shine: 1. Research the company deeply. Go beyond their website — check recent news, projects, and values. 2. Prepare real examples. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. 3. Ask meaningful questions. Show curiosity about the team, culture, and challenges. 4. Mind your body language. Smile, maintain eye contact, and show engagement. 5. Follow up. A short thank-you message goes a long way in leaving a positive impression. Remember: confidence grows from preparation. Walk in knowing your value — and let it show. #CareerTips #InterviewPreparation #ProfessionalGrowth #JobSearch #CareerDevelopment