Podcasts · Business · Education

Interview Boss

Interview Boss

241 episodes

Welcome to Interview Boss hosted by sisters Emma and Sarah Smith. This podcast is all about providing advice, inspiration and support for job seekers. Whether you're between jobs, or looking for your dream promotion, we're here to give you the tips, tricks and behind the scenes knowledge you need to be the boss of your career.

More about the show

We'll dive deep in to all things resume, cover letter, job application, job search strategy, interviews and offer negotiations.

We're going to bring you a mix of advice shows, interviews with influential hiring managers, as well as job seeker stories all to help you during your job hunt.

Hit subscribe, and get ready to be the BOSS of your career.

Episodes page 1 of 5

  1. 240: How to Stop Waffling in Job Interviews

    · 24 min · S6 E31

    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…

  2. 239: The Great Iced Coffee Debate: Is It Really an Interview Red Flag?

    · 30 min · S6 E30

    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…

  3. 238: How to take that dream job off the pedestal!

    · 36 min · S6 E29

    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…

  4. 237: How to Break Into a Highly Competitive Job

    · 30 min · S6 E28

    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…

  5. 236: How to interview for the job you're already doing!

    · 27 min · S6 E27

    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…

  6. 235: Should you “link it back” to the job in your interview answers?

    · 46 min · S6 E26

    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…

  7. 234: When your industry doesn’t really “do” interviews

    · 29 min · S6 E25

    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…

  8. 233: Can't Start a New Job Right Away? Here's What to Say

    · 27 min · S6 E24

    "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…

  9. 232: Help! Someone From My Current Job Is On My Interview Panel!

    · 29 min · S6 E23

    POV: You finally land a job interview...then discover someone from your current workplace is sitting on the interview panel. 😳 What do you do? In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma unpack a listener's real-life…

  10. 231: The Best Resume Format for Temp and Short-Term Contract Work

    · 30 min · S6 E22

    Temping and contract work can be an incredible way to build experience. BUT when your resume is full of short-term roles, how do you keep it clear and easy to follow? In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma share…

  11. 230: Are you missing out on opportunities by not following up?

    · 29 min · S6 E21

    Waiting to hear back after a job interview is one of the most agonising parts of the job search. So when TikTok tells you there's one more thing you should be doing to increase your chances, it's hard not to…

  12. 229: You've done your time in the grad job post uni. Where to next?!

    · 34 min · S6 E20

    We often talk about how tricky it is to land that first job after graduating from uni. But what about your SECOND job after uni? Early in your career, every move can feel so critical. It can also feel like a funny…

  13. 228: FYI: The Interview Starts Long Before the First Question!

    · 26 min · S6 E19

    Think the interview starts with the first question? Think again. From the moment you answer the phone, walk through reception, or meet the person collecting you from the lobby, employers are already forming an…

  14. 227: The Skill No One Teaches You: Job Ad Literacy

    · 26 min · S6 E18

    Ever read a job ad and thought "what does this role actually involve?" Job ads can be surprisingly hard to interpret! Some oversell the role, while many leave out the details you really want to know. In this episode,…

  15. 226: Considering moving for a Job? How to Ask for Relocation Assistance

    · 31 min · S6 E17

    Would you uproot your entire life for a job? From dream roles in new cities, to promotions in different states, relocating for work can open huge career opportunities. It also raises a big question: who's supposed to…

  16. 225: The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Researching Companies

    · 28 min · S6 E16

    Researching the company before an interview sounds simple…but most candidates are either doing too little, way too much, or struggling to explain what they actually found. In this week's episode, we unpack what…

  17. 224: Screen Sharing During Remote Interviews: The New Live Task Trend

    · 31 min · S6 E15

    Being asked to share your screen on a meeting is stressful enough…let alone in an interview. One of our listeners was told she’d need to complete a series of live tasks while screen sharing as part of the interview…

  18. 223: The Disclosure Dilemma: Neurodivergence in the Workplace

    · 40 min · S6 E14

    In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma tackle the disclosure conundrum, after hearing from listeners navigating neurodivergence diagnoses, workplace stigma and the fear of being misunderstood. In Part 3 of our…

  19. 222: 6 things we think our listeners need to hear right now!

    · 33 min · S6 E13

    In this lighter, more off-the-cuff episode, Sarah and Emma each bring three things they think you need to hear right now…no prep, just vibes. Some are the reminders you didn’t know you needed, some might call you out…

  20. 221: The Counter Offer Trap: Should You Stay or Go?

    · 33 min · S6 E12

    Ever handed in your notice…only to suddenly become very valuable? After years of being overlooked for a raise, support, or promotion, one listener finally quit, only to be hit with a last-minute counter offer: more…

  21. 220: Neurodivergence in the Job Search: Practical Tips and Accommodations - Part 2

    · 56 min · S6 E11

    Job searching can feel 10x harder when the process isn’t built for how your brain works. In Part 2 of our neurodivergence series, Sarah and Emma dive into the real challenges listeners are facing, from overwhelming…

  22. 219: To Give or Not to Give: The Post-Exit Feedback Dilemma

    · 24 min · S6 E10

    Leaving a job can be messy. Sometimes it’s straightforward…and sometimes it comes with a nagging voice in the back of your head asking: should I finally speak my mind? In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma dive into…

  23. 218: How to Impress in an Internship (and Get Hired After)

    · 36 min · S6 E9

    Starting your first internship can feel intimidating, especially if it’s your first time in a corporate environment. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma break down exactly how to impress from day one. From getting…

  24. 217: Neurodivergence and accommodations in the job search - Part 1

    · 33 min · S6 E8

    Job Interviews aren't designed with every brain in mind. After hearing from listeners navigating interviews with ADHD, autism, and processing differences, Sarah and Emma dive into how traditional hiring processes can…

  25. 216: Trial Shifts: What Employers Are Really Looking For

    · 32 min · S6 E7

    Being asked to come in for a trial shift can feel exciting…and slightly confusing. Is it a great sign? Is it free labour? And how do you actually perform well when you’re being assessed in real time? In this week’s…

  26. 215: You Can’t Hack Your Way Into a New Job: Correlation Does NOT Equal Causation!

    · 25 min · S6 E6

    Job searching can make you feel a little superstitious. One person swears a specific resume template got them hired. Someone else says it was the follow-up email. Another is convinced one “brilliant” question in the…

  27. 214: Applying for Your First Manager Role: Owning your Experience (Part 2)

    · 38 min · S6 E5

    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…

  28. 213: Applying for Your First Manager Role: Getting the Mindset Right (Part 1)

    · 36 min · S6 E4

    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…

  29. 212: The Interview Horror Story that left us SPEECHLESS

    · 24 min · S6 E3

    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…

  30. 211: Quitting your DISASTER new job. How much do you tell them about why you're leaving?

    · 37 min · S6 E2

    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…

  31. 210: Why you should start tracking your 'Best Bits' before you urgently need them

    · 35 min · S6 E1

    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…

  32. 209: The benefits of applying for a job directly through the company website

    · 34 min · S5 E44

    There's nothing wrong with applying for a role through a job board - people get hired that way every single day. But sometimes it pays to apply directly through a company's website, especially when it's a role you're…

  33. 208: How to explain why you're taking a step down (convincingly!)

    · 26 min · S5 E43

    Stepping down a level on the career ladder can feel strangely just as intimidating as aiming higher. How do you explain why you want a less senior role without sounding like you’re burnt out, unmotivated, or trying to…

  34. 207: Unpacking the dreaded 'weaknesses' question

    · 42 min · S5 E42

    No one likes the “What’s your biggest weakness?” question. It’s awkward, overused, and honestly…a bit lazy. But it still pops up in lots of interviews, so you need to know how to answer it without sounding fake,…

  35. 206: Should you bring a display folder full of achievements to your job interview?

    · 23 min · S5 E41

    Should you bring a display folder to your job interview, or is that a bit of an overkill? This week, we're answering a listener question about whether it's worth bringing along your certificates, volunteering…

  36. 205: Should I apply if I don't have quite enough experience?

    · 37 min · S5 E40

    When a job ad lists a certain number of years’ experience, there’s no way to know whether it’s a hard and fast rule or just a guide, and that’s exactly the point. Since you can’t predict which way a company will lean,…

  37. 204: Don't be fooled by the 'casual chat' trap

    · 33 min · S5 E39

    You’ve been invited in for a “casual chat.” No panel, no formal questions, maybe even coffee instead of a meeting room. Sounds chill, right? Not so fast. These chats might feel relaxed, but they’re still interviews,…

  38. 203: What it means when a job ad gets reposted after you apply

    · 36 min · S5 E38

    Seeing the job you’ve applied for get re-posted can send you into a full-blown spiral. Does it mean you’re out of the running? That they didn’t like your application? Or is it just bad hiring? In this week’s episode,…

  39. 202: When it’s not a match: How to pivot an interview into a coffee chat

    · 29 min · S5 E37

    Sometimes in an interview, it becomes clear there’s a genuine mismatch. Maybe they're after three years of experience in an area you’ve only just become familiar with, or the role requires travel, which you can't…

  40. 201: Diagnosing & treating 'Interview Mode' Syndrome: from robotic to real

    · 45 min · S5 E36

    There's a mysterious condition sweeping through jobseekers everywhere - and no one's immune. It's called 'Interview Mode' Syndrome, and it only flares up in interview conditions. Symptoms include sudden amnesia about…

  41. 200: The job interview prep step you're not doing enough of

    · 39 min · S5 E35

    Ever walked out of an interview thinking, “I prepared so much… why didn’t my stories land?” So many people practice their 'best bits' stories to within an inch of their life BUT they skip the most powerful (and…

  42. 199: Job offer dilemma - more money or more security?

    · 40 min · S5 E34

    Having two job offers on the table sounds like the dream, but in reality, it can feel like a nightmare decision. Do you take the higher-paying contract role with less security, or settle for the lower salary in a…

  43. 198: How to 'Shoot Your Shot' at your dream job (even when they aren't hiring)

    · 40 min · S5 E33

    Ever spotted your dream company online only to realise they aren’t advertising any roles? It can feel like there’s no way in, but what if you could create your own opportunity? In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma…

  44. 197: Cracking the company values question (without selling your soul)

    · 27 min · S5 E32

    Being asked about company values in a job interview can feel like a minefield. Do they want a big-picture statement, or a real-life example? And how do you stop yourself from sounding like you’ve just memorised their…

  45. 196: Beware of the negativity spiral

    · 34 min · S5 E31

    Losing hope in your job search? You’re not alone - but be careful where you turn for support. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma issue a warning about the dangers of falling into online negativity spirals. From…

  46. 195: The types of multi-part interview questions and how to tackle them

    · 36 min · S5 E30

    Ever been hit with an interview question that feels like it has five different parts rolled into one? You start answering, then halfway through you realise you’ve completely lost track of what they even asked.…

  47. 194: I quit, and it didn't even seem like anyone cared?!

    · 36 min · S5 E29

    You’ve handed in your resignation and maybe even felt guilty about leaving your team in the lurch. But instead of a heartfelt send-off, you notice you’re left off meeting invites, your projects are quietly reassigned,…

  48. 193: How to actually tell your boss you're quitting - without feeling like a terrible person!

    · 47 min · S5 E28

    Quitting your job can feel less like a professional decision and more like a personal betrayal, especially when your boss has been kind, the timing is awkward, or you just really hate confrontation. In this week’s…

  49. 192: How to conquer Internal Interviews - Part 2: Strategy & Preparation!

    · 57 min · S5 E27

    Internal interviews can feel super weird, especially when your panel includes people you already work with. Maybe it's your current manager, someone you had a tricky project with, or just colleagues you usually chat to…

  50. 191: How to conquer Internal Interviews - Part 1: Mastering Your Mindset

    · 49 min · S5 E26

    Internal interviews can feel so much harder than regular ones. You're walking into a room full of people who already know you, so how are you meant to do yourself justice without feeling awkward, cringey, or fake? In…

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