239: The Great Iced Coffee Debate: Is It Really an Interview Red Flag?

Ever had an embarrassing moment in a job interview that still keeps you up at night?From accidentally telling an interviewer you love them to disastrous resume typos and VERY unfortunate interruptions during virtual interviews, Sarah and Emma react to some of the funniest job interview horror stories from across the internet.If you're still cringing over something you said or did in an interview, this week's episode is your reminder that we're all human and even the most mortifying moments won't necessarily cost you the job!🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Richelle who bought us 5 coffees!"Hi Emma and Sarah, thank you for your podcast and content. Recently I secured a new role within my existing team that is reflective of the level of work I had been performing, but not paid for. Your selection criteria, resume, cover letter, and interview preparation tips helped me write a strong application and nail the interview. For the first time, the interview questions were so easy to respond to because I had all my best bits articulated and I knew how examples of client work related to various key responsibilities. Finally, I attended an interview without having an out of body experience where I am hijacked by anxiety and can’t recall what took place! Of the 40 applicants at the most sought after employer in our local community, I was the preferred candidate. I’m now in the process of negotiating my salary (I’m asking for the highest step within the salary band) and listening to your episodes relevant to the next stages of my recruitment. It’s been 8 weeks of working towards this end goal but I’ve not been alone! Thank you for your generosity in sharing your expertise and putting this podcast together so thoughtfully and in such an engaging way."🎥 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 resourceswww.interviewboss.com.au

If you've been listening to Interview Boss for a while, chances are you've heard us tell you to CLENCH YOUR BUTT CHEEKS in a job interview. Yes, seriously.It's one of our most iconic (and ridiculous) interview tips, and after years of mentioning it on the pod, we realised it deserved an episode of its own.In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma explain the surprisingly clever science behind why clenching your butt cheeks could help stop your hands from shaking when interview nerves kick in.We also share some hilarious stories from listeners who've put it to the test.Consider this your official invitation to join the butt-clenching club. 🍑🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Amanda who bought us 5 coffees!"Dear Emma and Sarah, I have always gotten ridiculously nervous before interviews, and have often left them feeling that my nerves were the reason I didn't move forward. Especially the classic 'Tell me about yourself' question that would trip me up! I started listening to your podcast over the summer and found especially the 'best bits' and 'tell me about yourself' advice to help. I also listened to your 'listen to this before your interview' pep talk before every interview! And here I am, a couple of months later, having landed my DREAM job. I am so proud of myself and honestly thought that this was impossible. Not because of my skills, but because of my inability to clearly and confidently communicate in an interview setting. The job comes with a 59% salary increase, way better benefits and a lot of responsibility in a strategic area. Truly a dream, especially as we have just bought a house, have a baby AND my partner has been laid off. A tip for others: I used Ghat GPT and a dictation tool to practice interview questions and get super comfortable with talking about my experience out loud. Thank you for your help! Best wishes from Denmark. - Amanda."Mentioned in this episode:Think Fast, Talk Smart episodeHow to deal with job interview nervesListen to this RIGHT before your interview 🎥 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 resourceswww.interviewboss.com.au

Being told you need to be more concise in job interviews can be frustrating, especially when you're not sure what you're doing wrong.If you find yourself rambling, overexplaining or losing track of your point, the solution isn't necessarily to make your interview answers shorter.In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma unpack why interview answers can sometimes turn into long-winded stories, how to structure your examples to avoid waffling, and why being concise is about cutting the confusion, not the details that make your answers great.🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Lonny who bought us 5 coffees!"Dear Emma and Sarah, I've been waiting to send this email for years! I began listening to your podcast in 2023 while I was preparing for an interview for a manager role at my company. I was a successful individual contributor in a technical role shooting for a manager spot in my department. I did not end up getting the job. I was told that my interview was one of the best of the lot. However, lack of supervision experience is what ultimately lost me the job. I've spent the last 3 years working in supervisor roles in 2 different areas of the company that were outside of my area of expertise. I took advantage of your coffee chat strategies and have created a good mentor relationship with a senior leader at my organization. These moves have not only been great in building my leadership skills, I've also been getting perspective from different departments and learning how my company operates. I feel like I have a much better systemic understanding of the business and have learned so many interesting things. A few months ago, the same Manager role from 2023 opened again. Though I have been out of the group for 3 years, I knew I would be competitive in the pool of strong candidates. Especially with my added supervision experience. I spent the last month re-listening through your episodes and prepping my best bit notebook that I have been keeping for this moment. I was feeling confident going into interview day, and I absolutely crushed it. I took advantage of the 'tell me about yourself' question to highlight my previous attempt at the role and everything I have done to improve myself since then. I brought it around full circle. None of the behavioral questions gave me pause. And we spent more time discussing the questions I had prepared than we did on their questions! This week, I was offered and accepted the role. Along with a 25+% pay raise with a much larger bonus as well. I am so happy and excited to get started in my new role! Thank you both so much for all of the wisdom, insight, and laughs over the years. I know I will continue to listen to and share your show and the resources you provide as long as you continue to make content. Cheers, (Not Australian) - Lonny."🎥 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 resourceswww.interviewboss.com.au

Can bringing an iced coffee into a job interview really leave a bad impression?!A recruiter's viral take has sparked a heated debate online, and we're weighing in!Is it genuinely unprofessional, or have we taken interview etiquette a step too far?🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Karen from Ireland who bought us 3 coffees!"I listened to your podcast religiously for weeks and it really helped me hone in on the areas I needed to improve, strategise for my interview & my biggest take away’s were resetting after each question, staying calm & the double plugger! 3rd interview of doing interviews to just improve skills but first one after listening to your podcast I was hit with a three part question as the first question😱and my first thought was “whoa, A TRIPLE PLUGGER”…right let’s go! And I dived in applying the technique🥰 I shot my best shot over a few interviews and I got a fab new job that also happened to be a grade & a half promotion. The public sector in Ireland works off a panel system and a competency based interview, all looking for STAR application so if you ever want to 'irish-ify' a session let me know and I’ll gladly help with the lingo & inspo. I added an intro sentence before STAR telling them how amazing/how much experience I had in that area, then STAR, then what i called the uplift - one sentence or point - '& if I got the job I would….My skill in this area is…and would make me a great fit for the role' at the end. 3-4 min answers then Zip it. I recommend yer podcast to everyone!"🎥 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 resourceswww.interviewboss.com.au

When you’ve wanted a job for years, how do you stop yourself from putting it on a pedestal?In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma share mindset tips for managing interview nerves when the opportunity feels really important, and shifting from “I have to get this job” to “this is a conversation I’m capable of having.”We’ll help you take the pressure down a notch and walk into your interview feeling more grounded, confident and like yourself.If you haven't already, click here to listen to our other episode on this topic.🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Stephanie who bought us a coffee!"I was doing a job in child protection that I loved for 9 years when I was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2023. After 17 rounds of chemo, radiation, and 2 major surgeries, I realized my recovery from the last surgery would take longer than the 8 weeks my surgeon's office recommended on my disability leave form. I requested the full 12 weeks and the response from leadership was that they were going to post my position. I responded by saying I'd be there on Monday and then they granted the additional 4 weeks after polling my friends/coworkers. My heart was broken and I completely lost trust, but needed health insurance. I was so hurt and, honestly, being cancer free was so much harder than having it because of the adjustment to my rectum amputation. Things had shifted in me as my body healed and in January I applied for a new job for the first time in 11 years. I listened to your podcast on every trip to and from work, listened to some more than once, fixed my resume, worked on my best bits, and started interviewing shortly thereafter. I had 3 zoom interviews for separate positions and 2 in person interviews. I did not get either of the positions, but felt good about how well I did and wasn't disappointed. I appreciated the experiences because they were setting me up for my next interview. Well...that didn't happen because a new position was created and they called to see if I would be interested. They didn't even post the position as it was an immediate yes from me! I start Monday! Thank you so much for the work you do. You are so good at it! I tell everyone who is job searching to listen in. You've created a space which makes finding something new feel more attainable."🎥 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 resourceswww.interviewboss.com.au

What do you do when your dream job rarely comes up...and thousands of other people want it too?From airlines and emergency services to government graduate programs, intelligence and wildlife roles, some jobs are notoriously tough to land.In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma unpack how to prepare when opportunities are few and far between, build experience that strengthens your next application, and decide just how much you're willing to trade for the dream.🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Derby who bought us 5 coffees!"Googling 'Tell us about yourself' became the resource I never expected while navigating this interview process. That led me to best bits, interviewing for an internal position, applying for my first manager role, making a presentation. Anything that I've experienced in this process so far, y'all had an episode for me to listen to. The only thing I couldn't find was something about full day interviews, I just went from 8:30AM-3:30PM, phew....but I still had y'all with me as I listened right before and right after. I was already on my way to get my treat with my family and I cracked up when I received y'alls affirmation! From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Y'all were the push I needed to be comfortable bringing in notes. Even if I didn't reference my written best bits a lot throughout the day today, the process of writing them out had them top of mind. I ended up with 59 best bits to play with! I came to the table with a masters degree for this doctorate preferred position, but I met every other qualification and had experience to back up every piece of the job description, so I was confident that I would get my shot. I was debating on whether I should wait to share until I hear back, but that doesn't matter. I left that interview today with no regrets. I laid the best of myself out there and there's nothing else to do. Y'alls impact isn't in whether I get the job or not, you helped me have the best possible experience I could throughout these interviews. 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 resourceswww.interviewboss.com.au

Have you ever been asked to reapply and interview for a job you're already doing?It can feel strange, and a little unfair, to prove you can do a job you've already been successfully doing.But while being the internal candidate gives you a major advantage, treating the interview like a done deal can be a risky mistake.In this episode, Sarah and Emma explain how to make the most of your insider knowledge and turn your experience in the role into detailed, persuasive answers.Because even if the panel knows you and your work, you still need to spell out exactly why you're the best person for the permanent position.🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Sarah who bought us 5 coffees!“Hi from England I have been listening to your podcast throughout my job search and interviews, as my fiancé has now moved over to Sydney for his job and I’ve been looking at job opportunities so I can join him. After I received my visa to work there (woohoo!) and listened to your podcasts, I have received a verbal job offer! I particularly valued your tips on presentations, which helped me prepare for my 90-day plan presentation at the second stage. I have been asked to provide details of referees ahead of a formal job offer, so I had to break the news to my manager. I feel so guilty but know it’s the right decision. He was clearly on problem solving mode to work out how my activities will be completed when I leave. My question is, how can I reframe my guilt and sadness to face him, and how can I let go of my dream job of 11 years, to look forward to this exciting new chapter? What is the best way to resign after giving him the heads up and how do I let my team know? I want to help with upcoming work but know it will be awkward, especially as I really enjoy my job and will need to pass projects onto colleagues, including to my team, over the next couple of months. Perhaps it’s an opportunity to empower my team through more responsibility? It’s been a mix of emotions, particularly with the fact that I’ll leave family, friends and my home, but I can’t wait to be in Australia later this year! Thanks again for all your support!”🎥 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 resourceswww.interviewboss.com.au

Have you ever been told to “link it back” to the job at the end of your interview answers? You know the kind of thing: you finish your example and then tack on a little sentence explaining how you’d use those same skills in this role.It sounds like decent advice. You’re trying to make a point about your transferable skills, and get your interviewers to imagine you in the job.In this episode, Sarah and Emma break down why “linking it back” might not be achieving what you want it to, and give you an alternative. Our goal is to have your interviewers doing the linking for you, and ideally giving you some enthusiastic nods so you know it’s working.🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Amanda who bought us 5 coffees!“Thank you both so much! I just landed the job I’ve been wanting for years. In college I had a personal emergency and had to drop out of college for bit. This derailed me and my mental health and I was no longer able to get back into the curriculum with my old major without adding a semester to my graduation date which I couldn’t afford. So I switched to a similar major, but it wasn’t the same. Then I took a job at a start-up over a more stable offer, only for the start-up to move operations overseas and lay me off three months later. I started working at an office job just to pay my loans but I wasn’t learning anything or using my degree. I was so scared to go back into a job I cared about that I stayed there for almost two years. When I did look, I was asked why I would stay as a secretary when I said I wanted to be in an analytical role. Everything changed when I found your podcast. I was able to articulate my career story in a way that was both true and sounded professional and intentional. I could answer questions, work my best bits in, and even just hearing your wording and logic behind answers helped me emulate that in the interviews for curveballs (which there were a lot of). It helped me build my confidence and I listened to your podcast for support for everything from the interviews, my resume, and quitting. In the US the job market is tough right now, but I landed a role doing what I want to do at a fortune 100 company! I was told it was one of their most competitive seasons too! Now I feel like I’ve truly bounced back from the issues I had in college and am back on track. I know I have a lot to offer and am on my way to my first in person day at work! Thank you both so much!!"🎥 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 resourceswww.interviewboss.com.au

Does your industry treat the hiring process like the Wild West? Maybe resumes are optional, cover letters are unheard of and the “interview” is really just a chat with the boss.Just because it’s “just a chat” doesn’t mean a little preparation won’t help. Putting more thought into your resume, bringing a few stories to mind, preparing some questions or writing a genuinely personalised cover letter can help you communicate what you have to offer—without suddenly becoming stiff or overly corporate.And when nobody else is doing those things, that small amount of effort can become a HUGE advantage. In this week’s episode, we’re talking about “interview culture” and how to match the vibe of your industry while quietly raising your own standard.If this episode doesn’t sound like it applies to you, send it to the person in your life who insists they don’t need interview advice because their industry is “different.” We know they think they don’t need us. That’s okay. We’re still right.🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Victoria “Emma and Sarah, you both are stars! I'm so grateful to have found Interview Boss as you've completely changed my job search mindset. I was looking for a new role after a layoff while on maternity leave (ouch!), and I was in such a negative headspace going in. I'd been casually looking for over a year in fear of a future layoff and not having success so the negativity spiral was very real. After listening (and re-listening) to your episodes over two months, I was a changed woman. I navigated 2.5 months of intense job hunting, 60+ applications, 20+ interviews, and 3 job tasks with you by my side. My husband joked that our newborn was going to have an Aussie accent after listening to so many hours of you two! I'm so happy to have landed a new role where there were all green flags during the interview process. You helped me SO much to bounce back from the jobs I didn't land (I won't call them rejections!), and I know that positivity helped me to land the right role. Thank you, and (if you read this on air), job seekers listening, keep your head up! You will persevere!”🎥 Check out our 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 resourceswww.interviewboss.com.au

"When can you start?" is a simple interview question...but what if the honest answer is "It depends."In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma unpack how to have this conversation when factors like childcare, relocation or other commitments mean you can't give a straightforward date.Being upfront can feel risky, but it's often the best approach. We'll share how to set realistic expectations, explain your situation professionally, and give employers a timeframe they can actually work with.🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Chris C who bought us 4 coffees!“Thank you so much for your help prepping for my interview! I landed a dream job as an instructional designer for a construction company, but it came out of nowhere and I had little time to prep. In one of your episodes you gave some great advice on how to politely and respectfully lead an interview if the interviewer doesn’t ask many questions. That’s exactly the curveball I was given, but I was able to steer the conversation toward my STAR responses and knocked it out of the park.“🎥 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 resourceswww.interviewboss.com.au