How to Actually Nail Your Next Interview with Confidence

There’s nothing quite like the emotional rollercoaster of landing an interview. You’re excited, nervous, and hopeful at the same time. Then suddenly you’re spiraling about how to answer “Tell me about yourself” without blacking out or rambling for seven minutes straight because you know they don’t really want to know about your paper planning hobby or the fact that your birthday is on National Cheesecake Day. They couldn't possibly be asking you that…right?

Over the years, I’ve talked to a lot of smart, capable women who tell me they know they’re good at what they do, but they struggle to confidently communicate that during an interview.

Please know that this isn’t about charisma or having the “right” personality. It’s about real preparation. I’m not talking about preparation by Googling “top 10 interview questions” the night before. I’m talking about knowing the organization, the role, your own stories, and the signals you’re sending, even if you don’t realize it.

Let’s chat for a moment about what actually builds confidence before an interview and how to make sure your next one doesn’t leave you second-guessing yourself afterward.

Know the Organization (Beyond Their Mission Statement)

Let’s start here because far too many people gloss over this part. You need to know more than what’s listed on the organization’s About page.

Who are their biggest competitors? What are they working on right now? What’s their reputation in the industry? Have they been in the news recently? What do current and former employees say about working there? 

Even if you’re not name-dropping every detail in the interview, this type of research informs the tone of your answers. It helps you speak directly to what they value and positions you as someone who took this opportunity seriously from the jump.

A recruiter can always tell who actually did their homework and who skimmed the homepage 10 minutes before the Zoom call.

Know the Role (and How to Connect the Dots)

Please stop trying to be a generalist during interviews. You don’t need to show them you can do 10 different things. You need to show them you can do this role well — and that you’ve thought about how your background connects to what they’re hiring for.

That means you need to dissect the job description. Look at the language they’re using and identify any themes. Think through what problem they’re likely trying to solve by hiring this position.

Then tailor your responses accordingly. Not in a fake, over-rehearsed way — but with the clarity that comes from knowing what you bring to the table and how it meets their actual needs.

Know the Competition (Without Comparing Yourself)

You may not know exactly who else is interviewing, but you do need to know what type of candidates you’re up against. If it’s a common role, you’re likely up against people with similar titles, similar experience, and similar skills.

So how do you stand out?

→ By being clear about your strengths
→ By telling stories that show your impact
→ By communicating like a professional, not a robot

Hiring managers remember the candidates who bring a grounded, confident presence to the table. They’re not necessarily looking for perfection — they’re looking for someone who understands the role, knows their value, and can communicate both of those key points clearly.

Know Your Stories (Not Just Your Resume)

Confidence isn’t about memorizing a script. It’s about being able to walk into any interview and trust that you have real examples ready to go. So instead of repeating your resume word-for-word, think about your actual stories.

Think about the time you led a project across multiple departments. What was the project? Who did you work with? What was your role in the project? What was the outcome of the project?
Think about the moment you solved a last-minute crisis with limited resources. What was the crisis? What steps did you take to solve the problem? What was the impact of the resolution?
Think about the decision you made that helped your team hit a goal or recover from a loss. What was the decision? What was the goal or loss? 

Stories like these stick. They also help humanize your experience, which is especially important in panel interviews or virtual interviews where it’s harder to build rapport.

If you’re not sure which stories to use or how to structure them, that’s exactly what I walk through in the Interview Confidence Kit. I include question banks, answer frameworks, and a prep checklist that helps you bring your best self forward — even when the nerves kick in.

Know the Interview Team (When Possible)

This one is overlooked often, but it’s a game-changer. If the interview invitation includes names and/or titles, look them up on LinkedIn. See how long they’ve been at the company, what teams they lead, or what roles they’ve held previously. This step helps you gather additional context.

If it’s a recruiter, they likely care more about logistics and culture fit. If it’s a hiring manager, they’re probably listening closely for results and decision-making. If it’s a peer, they want to know what it’s like to work with you.

Tailor your examples, tone, and questions accordingly. You don’t need to become someone else but awareness helps you communicate with more confidence and intention.

The Real Confidence Shift Happens Before the Call

If you’ve ever left an interview and immediately replayed every answer in your head, wondering if you “said too much” or “missed the mark,” you’re not alone.

That self-doubt and post-interview spiral often comes from going in unprepared.

Real confidence doesn’t come from getting the offer; it comes from knowing you showed up as your best self because you prepared with a strategy.

If you’re ready to go from panicked to prepared before your next interview, here’s how I can help:

Grab the Interview Confidence Kit:
My go-to digital resource for interview prep. You’ll get:

• My prep framework
• Confidence-boosting exercises
• Printable worksheet & checklist
• Answer templates for common questions
• And more

Book a Career Clarity Session:
If you want to practice with a real recruiter who’s helped hundreds of women land six-figure roles, let’s walk through your strategy together. I’ll give you honest feedback, specific improvements, and the pep talk you didn’t know you needed.

I’ll leave you with this…

Your next interview isn’t about proving yourself — it’s about showing up with clarity, confidence, and a strategy that reflects who you are and what you bring to the table.

You’ve worked too hard to fumble your next opportunity because you didn’t have the right prep in place. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen.

Chat soon! ~Kristina