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How to Conquer Job Interview Anxiety: 10 Practical Strategies
rickykoocoaching
August 06, 2025
If you’re job searching right now, you’re probably applying, rewriting your resume for the hundredth time, using ChatGPT in some way to better align your resume and skills with the job description, and STILL—wondering why interviews feel like an FBI interrogation instead of a conversation. STILL—getting ghosted by recruiters and hiring managers. STILL—feeling defeated and also self-doubt creeping in.
You’re not alone.
Over the years, I’ve worked with many thoughtful, experienced professionals—especially those in finance, consulting, and tech—who know they can do the job, but still feel unsure walking into an interview.
So if you’re trying to navigate interviews with more clarity and less dread, this is for you.
Here are 10 practical tips (plus a few things to avoid) to help you interview with confidence—whether you’re aiming for a private company, a nonprofit, or your next government role.
1. Start with the “Appetizer” — Not the Whole Meal
When asked: “Tell me about yourself,” avoid cramming your entire resume into the first 2 minutes. Think of it like a 3-course meal:
Appetizer: Highlight 2-3 themes (e.g., data storytelling, stakeholder partnership, business growth).
Main course: Give a taste of specific examples, which could lead to later questions.
Dessert: End with why you’re excited about this role and this company.
Do: Mention 1 reason you’re drawn to the role or company. Don’t: Start with listing every role you’ve had.
2. Replace Filler Words with Silence
Many professionals unconsciously start their responses with “Um” or “That’s a good question…” which can make them sound less confident, rushed, or even unprofessional.
Tip: Practice pausing instead. Silence signals thoughtfulness. It also gives your interviewer a chance to absorb what you said.
3. You Are the Expert (Because the Topic is You)
Interviews feel intimidating when we treat them like exams. But remember:
This isn’t about proving you belong. It’s about sharing how you think, solve problems, and collaborate.
You are the expert on your own experience. Treat the conversation like you’re helping someone understand your journey—not defending it.
4. Talk in Themes, Not Just Titles
When asked “Walk me through your resume,” break it into 3 chunks:
Early career: Foundational skills and technical growth.
Mid-career: Stakeholder partnerships and cross-functional leadership.
Recent years: Strategic influence, executive reporting, and business impact.
This shows progression and purpose—even if your path includes lateral moves or consulting stints. You do not need to regurgitate your entire resume and go through the specifics of each role, each company, etc. Themes and categories are our friends, especially in a confined 30-45 minutes interview. Every second is precious time!
5. Don’t Just Talk About What You Did—Explain Who It Helped
A good resume bullet says: “Built scenario models to improve planning accuracy by 15%.”
A great bullet adds: “…which enabled GTM leaders to forecast demand with more confidence during Q4 planning.”
Always highlight the who—it shows impact beyond the numbers.
6. Own Your Gap, Then Redirect
Whether you took a sabbatical, traveled, cared for a parent, or explored entrepreneurship, it’s okay to name it briefly. Don’t feel like you have to hide it. When we hide or are afraid of being “discovered”, our body language gives it away and that can come across as timidness or even deceit, to many interviewers.
Instead, you can say something like:
“I took intentional time off to [insert personal reason]. Now I’m excited and ready to rejoin a team so I can bring all of that renewed energy and perspective into a company that I can grow with long-term.”
Then shift focus back to the role you’re applying for.
7. Practice the 30-Second Elevator Pitch
This is your personal brand distilled:
Who you are (professionally)
What you’re most passionate about
What sets you apart
Example:
“I’m a finance partner who’s passionate about using data to tell stories that drive real business decisions. I’ve had the opportunity to work with many leaders and I thrive at the intersection of analysis and action. That’s why whenever I work on an analysis or presentation, I am focused on using data to guide stakeholders while helping them feel confident in their strategy and execution.”
8. Answer Behavioral Questions Like a Pro
For “Tell me about a time when…” questions:
20%: Context
40%: Thought process + actions
40%: Outcome + impact on people
Do not spend a lot of time going through the details or context and background. When we tell stories, that could be useful—to start with an intro, body, then conclusion. However, during limited time in an interview, we do not have the luxury of spending a lot of time going through details. Spend only 20% of time going through relevant context, then spend the majority of the time talking about your process, your actions, the outcomes, the results you delivered, and how that impacted people. Keep answers 2–4 minutes max. You’re painting a picture, not writing a novel.
9. When You Don’t Know the Answer… Show How You’d Think
You won’t know every metric or tool—but don’t panic.
Instead of saying, “I don’t know,” try:
“While I haven’t used that specific system, I’ve ramped up quickly on similar tools, like _______ and _______, and I focus on understanding what the business needs first.”
Or for tecchnical/KPI questions:
“In a past ________ role, I focused on _______ and _________, but for [insert the topic at hand being questioned], I might want want to understand ______ and ________. I’d start by asking…”
This shows how you think, not just what you know (especially in situations where you may not be an expert on that topic).
10. Confidence Isn’t Loud. It’s Clarity.
You don’t have to be the most charismatic person in the room. You don’t need to memorize clever scripts. Memorizing will actually make you sound more robotic and unnatural.
What hiring managers want is clarity:
Can you do the job?
Can I trust you to work with my team?
Will you take ownership and keep learning?
Do you need a lot of direction, or can you be a bit innovative and draw from your previous experiences?
When you speak from experience, you build that trust. When you answer with what you truly think versus what you think they want to hear, that’s how you build confidence in your abilities. That’s what leaves a lasting impression.
Final Thought: Interviews Aren’t Auditions—They’re Conversations
Reframe the pressure. This isn’t about proving yourself; it’s about exploring mutual fit.
And here’s a bonus reminder:
The mindset that helped many people interview better?
“I have nothing to lose.”
When you approach an interview from a place of curiosity and groundedness, you naturally show up as your best self.
If you found this helpful, let me know which tip stood out to you—or share it with someone who’s in the job hunt trenches.
And if you’re currently prepping for interviews and want a supportive framework to practice with, feel free to connect on LinkedIn or email me. You’re not meant to navigate this alone.
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