How do I actually get a job??
<div class="user-question">I always get super nervous right before the interview, which makes me forget what and how I will answer their questions! HOW do I overcome this and answer every question with ease?</div>
Feeling nervous before an interview is completely normal - especially when your mind suddenly goes blank the moment a question is asked. The key to overcoming this is through preparation, mindset shifts, and a simple structure to fall back on when nerves take over.
1️⃣: Use the Pause-Plan-Deliver Method
Instead of rushing into an answer, take a deep breath, pause for a moment, and mentally organize your thoughts. It's okay to take a second before responding - it actually makes you sound more confident! Become comfortable with pauses during conversations.
2️⃣: Lean on the WHO Format
If you’re worried about forgetting your answers, structure them using WHO:
- What did you do?
- How did you do it?
- What was the Outcome?
This keeps your responses clear, structured, and easy to remember under pressure.
For example, let’s say you work in marketing and want to highlight a product launch that you supported with a digital marketing strategy. Here's how you could describe it during an interview ⬇️
What did you do?
How did you do it?
What was the outcome?
3️⃣: Practice Out Loud - Not Just in Your Head
Your brain needs to hear your own voice answering questions. Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, or do mock interviews with a friend. This builds muscle memory so your answers come naturally when it matters.
<div class="frich-tip">Frich tip: Source interview questions that you may be asked ahead of time. You can use sites like Glassdoor, Indeed, and Big Interview to see sample interview questions. If you're doing a tech interview, you can use LeetCode, HackerRank, or Pramp for technical questions and practice exercises.</div>
4️⃣: Reframe Nervousness as Excitement
Nerves and excitement feel the same in your body - so instead of thinking “I’m so nervous,” try telling yourself, “I’m excited for this opportunity!” This small shift helps trick your brain into feeling more in control.
5️⃣: Prepare Anchor Stories
Instead of memorizing word-for-word responses, have 3-5 strong examples of your past experiences that you can tweak for different questions. This way, no matter what they ask, you’ll always have a relevant story to pull from.
But, how do you know what stories to prepare? This is where the job description comes in handy.
Using the resources above, along with your job description, you can have a fairly good idea of what questions they’re going to ask. Scan your job description for key responsibilities and skills and pick out past experience to highlight each of these areas.
<div class="frich-tip">Frich tip: You can also upload the job description to AI tools like ChatGPT and ask it to source potential interview questions for you.</div>
Once you better understand what the job description entails, you can strategically curate your list of stories that you haveto let them know. These are the accomplishments that are so impressive and relevant to the role that you would be disappointed if you did not get to share them. Some examples here can include:
- Challenges you’ve overcome
- Success stories (like the product launch above!)
- Leadership examples
- Problem solving and process improvements
6️⃣: Post Interview
Your work isn’t done once the interview ends! Following up strategically can help reinforce your interest and keep you top of mind with the hiring team.
The first step is to send a thank-you email within 24 hours. Here's what to include in it:
- Express gratitude for their time
- Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role
- Mention a specific topic from the interview to personalize your message
- Keep it brief, professional, and well-structured
After sending your thank-you note, take some time to reflect on your performance. Here's how to do it:
- Jot down the questions you were asked
- Reflect on how you responded
- Be honest on any areas where you felt strong or could improve
- If you promised to provide additional information or follow-up details, make a note to send them promptly
If you haven’t heard back within the timeline provided, it’s okay to send a polite follow-up email - typically about a week after the interview, unless they gave a specific timeframe. Keeping in touch shows your continued interest while respecting the employer’s process.
By combining these strategies, you’ll feel more prepared, stay calm under pressure, and be able to answer every question with confidence!
Btw - here's how others are doing👀
How many jobs / internships have you applied to this year?
Average answer: 64
Good luck!
Morgan Sanner
Founder, Resume Official
