Interview Boss

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 interview sealed the deal.
But we have to remember: correlation does not equal causation!!!
In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma unpack the urge to assign a single cause to a complex outcome.
We break down why our brains love to create neat little stories (hello, confirmation bias), especially when so much of the hiring process feels outside our control. We explain why those conclusions are often oversimplified, and sometimes completely wrong.
If you’ve ever gone down a Reddit rabbit hole trying to reverse-engineer someone else’s success, this episode will bring you back to earth in the best way. The truth about landing a job is usually far less sexy than “one weird trick."
🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Lulu who bought us a coffee!
“I've been job-searching for 16 months. I've had a good job at managerial level, but wanted to find something closer to home as the commute (1.5hrs each way) was too much with a family. I have been with my employer for 10 years so I was nervous about the recruitment process. I stumbled upon your podcast and listened religiously while driving (benefits of long commute.) Your tips make so much sense, but I would have not thought of them myself. I also really enjoyed your style and there were some LOL moments. I'm happy to say that after more than 15 applications, 4 interviews and 2 offers, I'm about to start a new job much closer to home that I'm very excited about. I used your tips for getting my career story polished, focusing on the best bits in my interview answers, fine tuning my SAR and accepting water at the interview. Thank you so much, you have been fantastic coaches and will miss your podcasts. Until next time!”
🎥 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 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