The Emotional Challenge No One Talks About
Over the past 14 years, I’ve had to go through more job interviews than I can count-some when I was desperate for a change, some when I wasn’t even actively looking. But whether it was face-to-face or over Teams, one thing never changed: how emotionally intense the experience was. I’m talking about the kind of pressure that makes your chest tighten and your mind spin just minutes before entering the room or clicking “Join Meeting.”
People often ask me how to prepare for a job interview-expecting a list of standard tips. But for me, preparation is about more than checking off boxes. It’s about understanding yourself, managing your emotions, and setting up real-world systems that work in your favor when it matters most.
Let me tell you how I do it, the real way-not the fluffy textbook version:
1. Rehearse, Then Disconnect
If you really want to know how to prepare for a job interview, don’t just memorise your answers-live with them for a few days.
I usually record myself answering key questions like:
- “Tell me about yourself”
- “Why did you leave your last role?”
- “What do you bring to this position that others don’t?”
Then, I stop rehearsing 24 hours before the interview. That’s when I allow everything to settle in naturally. If I’ve done the work, my brain will access what it needs in the moment. If I over-practice up to the last minute, I risk sounding mechanical or freezing if the question is phrased slightly differently.
2. Pre-Interview Environment Control
Most guides about how to prepare for a job interview won’t mention this-but control your environment before the interview. For in-person interviews, I never arrive more than 10 minutes early. Too early and you’re left fidgeting, overthinking in the lobby. I also avoid strong coffee that day-it spikes my heart rate.
For online interviews (especially on Teams) I have the below tips:
- Check my lighting and background the day before
- Choose a silent room with no movement behind me
- Use a headset, always
- Place a sticky note beside the camera with “Breathe+Smile”
These things are basic, yes, but they set the stage for confidence. Without them, even the best-prepared answers fall flat.
3. Turn Your CV into a Storyline
Every line on my CV is tied to a story I’m ready to tell. That’s one of the best pieces of advice I can give about how to prepare for a job interview-don’t bring your resume; bring your narrative.
For instance, when I worked on a high-risk offshore project and had to initiate a change in safety procedures, I always tell that story when asked about problem-solving. I include:
- The challenge (pressure from operations vs. safety risk)
- My action (pushed for a MoC and led a toolbox talk revamp)
- The result (zero incidents and new SOPs still in place)
A resume lists skills. A story proves them.
4. Real Research, Not Just Homepage Browsing
A mistake I made early in my career was assuming I knew the company just because I browsed their website. Now, when thinking about how to prepare for a job interview, I take it further:
- I look at their last 6 months’ press releases
- Check their hiring patterns and job trends
- Find the interviewer on LinkedIn and see what they post
Why? Because this lets me build bridges in the conversation. I once opened a Teams interview by mentioning the company’s recent offshore wind partnership. It led to a 10-minute strategic discussion-and I got the job, simple like that.
5. Speak Their Language
A game-changer in learning how to prepare for a job interview is identifying the language of the company. Some companies speak in numbers-KPIs, targets, lean performance. Others speak in people-team dynamics, culture fit, collaboration.
I listen carefully during the first five minutes. If the interviewer opens with “We’re a very results-oriented team,” I immediately frame my answers with outcomes and metrics. If I hear “Our team works closely across departments,” I focus on examples of cross-functional success.
This isn’t manipulation. It’s tuning in to what matters to them, so you can connect meaningfully with the audience.
6. Get in the Right Mindset the Night Before
I treat the night before like a pre-game ritual. This is one of my biggest lessons from years of learning how to prepare for a job interview. I don’t rehearse, I don’t research-I reset.
Here’s what I do instead:
- Eat a clean meal (no junk, no alcohol)
- Lay out my clothes (yes, even for Teams)
- Go for a short walk while listening to music that makes me feel strong
- Visualize the interview going well
That last one might sound odd, but I’ve found that walking through the conversation mentally helps me stay grounded, especially when the real thing gets intense.
7. Have a One-Pager Beside You (Only for Online Interviews)
For Teams interviews, I always keep a single sheet of notes next to me-just keywords. These aren’t scripts. They’re reminders:
- Key metrics I’ve achieved (e.g., “45% incident reduction”)
- Names of stakeholders I’ve collaborated with
- A quote I want to drop in, like “Consistency builds trust.”
This helps me pivot smoothly if I feel stuck. But it must be subtle-I never read from it. It’s just there to catch me if I fall.
8. End Strong, Then Follow Up
No matter how tired or emotionally drained I feel at the end, I always close the interview with clarity and interest. I say something like:
“This conversation confirmed that your team’s direction aligns strongly with where I want to go professionally. I’d be genuinely excited to contribute.”
Then, 24 hours later, I send a tailored thank-you email:
- Recap one specific thing I enjoyed about the conversation
- Reaffirm my enthusiasm for the role
- Attach anything they requested (certs, portfolio, etc.)
That email has secured me a second round more than once-when others didn’t send one at all.
Closing Thoughts On How To Prepare For A Job Interview
I know what it feels like to walk into an interview with your heart racing, unsure of how to impress without losing yourself in the process. But after 14 years of navigating this journey, I’ve learned that knowing how to prepare for a job interview means owning your story, managing your energy, and connecting with the human being on the other side of the table-or the screen.
It’s not about pretending to be the perfect candidate. It’s about showing that you’re the right one, for the right reasons.
And trust me-you’ve got more control over that than you think.