Interview Boss

What are you supposed to say in an interview…when you've never actually been a manager before?
In Part 2 of this deep dive series, we explain why self-awareness is your secret weapon, what to say when you don’t have a perfect example, and how to show a growth mindset instead of panicking. We also share the fundamental advice every first-time manager isn’t always told, but absolutely needs to hear.
Remember, you don’t need to fake leadership experience. You need to show how you think, how you learn, and how you’ll lead.
🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Kyle who bought us 5 coffees!
“Hi Emma and Sarah! I would like to thank you both so much for the helpful advice on your episodes. After 6-7 months of interviewing I was able to land a job that I believe is the right fit for me with many opportunities for growth. I moved for personal reasons and I was leaving behind a job that I held for over 5 years. It was actually quite difficult to land a job that was the right fit for me. I had many swings and misses like making it to the final round 3 times prior to finally getting this role. But your episodes deep diving into your 'best bits' and really thinking and doing the hard part was much needed to keep persevering. I was able to connect my experiences and skills that I had acquired over the years to the job description and tailor my stories to what they were looking for. After the final interview I knew I had left it out all on the field. The very next day the hiring manager called me and said that the team loved me and that I would be a great fit. I was so excited that I had finally done it! After accepting the role I even listened to the episode on how to resign from your job as I've never had to before. Thank you again for all of your help! I cannot wait to start this new chapter in my life. I will forever recommend and listen when the time comes again for another job search. Thank you! -Kyle (Columbus, Ohio)”
🎥 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

Going for your first manager-level role can feel like a whole different sport. Suddenly it’s less about your individual output and more about leadership, dealing with people problems and judgement.
In Part 1 of this two-part series, Sarah and Emma unpack the mindset shift you need when applying for your first leadership role. We discuss the fear of not feeling “ready,” why trying to fake management experience almost always backfires, and how employers actually think about potential vs experience. If you’ve ever worried that not having the title automatically rules you out, this episode is for you.
In the next episode (Part 2) we’ll get practical with leadership-focused interview questions and how to answer them. But first, let’s get your mindset right.
🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Leah who bought us a coffee!
"Hi guys! Last year I did a 1-on-1 coaching session with Sarah which was the best decision I ever made. It gave me the confidence I needed to get through some big interviews I’d landed, and resulted in the best interviews I’ve ever had and two job offers to pick from. Feeling super grateful for you girls and I’m super happy in my new role. I’ve now got super valuable advice for my CV and future interviews to keep forever. Cheers ladies!”
🎥 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

What would you do if the interviewers started talking about you...while you were literally sitting right there?
In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma react in real time to a listener story that made our jaws hit the floor.
During an interview assessment, Katie could see live messages being exchanged between the recruiter and hiring manager about her performance, on the same laptop she was using! Yep. While she was doing the task!
We unpack how to handle this if it happens to you, and what your options are in the moment.
Do you speak up? Power through? Walk out? Or flag it later in writing?
🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Cherie who bought us a coffee!
“I found Interview Boss about 12 months ago when I had started searching for a new role after a career break to support my young family. My last role before the break was a manager/leadership role, and I was feeling stuck between wanting to return at the same level, and massively lacking confidence to apply at that level during a terrible job market. I also live in a regional area where the number of senior roles in my industry is fairly close to zero (yikes!). I had a couple of interviews in the first few months of searching, and though I felt the interviews generally went well, I didn't land the roles. Feeling depleted and questioning my skills, I listened to more of your episodes. That's when I went back to one of your older eps about writing your career story, and I realised that, in interviews, I was telling a career story that I had actually outgrown. So I re-wrote my career story and practised it until it felt natural but not rehearsed. By the next time I interviewed, my new career story really changed the tone and trajectory of the interview and gave me more confidence to share examples that better reflected my strengths as a leader. I'm thrilled to share that I start a new role next week after a year-long search. It's a leadership contract role with a brilliant community organisation. I'm so excited to get started, and so appreciative to Interview Boss for sparking my new perspective during the interview stage. Thanks 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

You’re only five months into a new role, but you’re burnt out, crying daily, and dreading every shift. You know you need to leave for your mental health, but the old advice is ringing in your ears: "Never resign without another job lined up!"
In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma tackle a heavy listener dilemma from Rita, who is ready to walk away during her probation period but is struggling with how to approach the resignation conversation. Do you tell them exactly why the culture is toxic, or do you keep it professional and vague?
We have a bit of a debate in this episode! We weigh up the "justice" route (letting them know exactly why they suck) versus the "protect your peace" route (saving your energy and moving on). Who is on which side? Who will you agree with?
🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Molika “Hello Sarah and Emma! This is a bit of a late thank you but my 2025 spotify wrapped has reminded me of how much you guys helped me out during my stressful internship interviews. On the big day of my 2 biggest top preferences sites, I revisited 8 episodes in a row while on the PTV to the city and played the HYPE-UP podcast as I was walking towards the interview to shake off any last minute nerves. All the actionable preparation that you both shared made me feel so ready to conquer the interview- knowing that I had done all that I could- and I got my number 1 choice. I was in your girls’ top 0.5% of listeners and I am so proud to be esteemed that accomplishment. Please keep doing what you’re doing, I only wish you girls the utmost success.”
🎥 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

If you’re not ready to job hunt yet but you can feel a change is on the horizon and the idea of talking about your achievements makes your mind go blank, this episode is for you!
Coming up with strong examples on the spot is one of the hardest parts of resumes and interviews! That's why creating a "best bits" tracker is one of the biggest gifts you can give your future-self!
We break down how to turn yourself into a “best bits hunter,” what actually counts as a win (hint: it doesn’t have to save the company money or change the world), and simple, realistic ways to track your examples so you’ll actually stick with it.
This habit does more than make resume writing easier. It helps you notice the impact of the work you’re already doing, builds confidence over time, and gives future you a list of epic stories to use in interviews, pay rise conversations and promotion opportunities, without the last-minute panic.
🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Annie who bought us 10 coffees!
"In 2025, I was unemployed for five months and honestly losing hope. I was applying to everything, including roles below my previous experience and titles. Then, out of frustration, I saw a posting for a Director level role (I had previously been in a senior manager role) with a posted salary range nearly double what I had made before. At this point, I figured, 'why not?' and applied. To my total shock, I was invited to a recruiter screening, then a hiring manager interview, then an in-person interview. When each invitation appeared in my inbox, I verbally squealed and laughed. Before the in-person interview, I found Interview Boss and basically binged your ‘HELP I have a Job Interview Tomorrow!’ playlist. I took notes, pulled out my best bits and walked in with confidence (and my notebook with notes and best bit prompts). After the interview, I listened to your 'Listen to This Right After Your Interview' episode and it was a lifesaver. They reached out for a follow-up virtual call with the Hiring Manager, and I was told that they were deciding between me and one other candidate. This information CONSUMED me. Waiting was the worst! After a week of silence, I emailed the recruiter asking if they had an updated timeline. When she replied that she was still awaiting a decision from the Hiring Manager, maybe thanks to your podcast, I decided it was my time to shoot my shot. I sent a follow-up to the recruiter saying: If the Hiring Manager is still deciding between me and another candidate, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say, I really want this job (and then nicely listed 3 reasons why I am the perfect candidate and am so aligned with the organization and their vision for growth). I hit send and tried to not panic. An hour later, the recruiter replied saying that she loved my passion and would share it with the hiring manager. Five agonizing days later, I missed a call from their area code and assumed it was a rejection. I waited to listen to the voicemail, and to my literal shock heard, 'I have great news, please call me back.' I cried. I got the job! A level up in title and a 70% salary increase. I still can’t believe it. Your advice is practical and so doable. You help us job-seekers to articulate our experience, skills, and value. Thank you for helping me change my life.
🎥 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:...