

Interview Boss
Interview Boss
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.
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.
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
Mentioned books

Mar 12, 2025 • 21min
Signs your interviewer has checked out (and how to get them back)
 Ever felt your interviewer zoning out mid-answer? Discover the signs of disengagement, from wandering eyes to absent nods. Unpack practical strategies to get their attention back, like pausing to gauge their interest or summarizing key points quickly. Learn how to maintain an engaging conversation without oversharing and when to adjust your approach for maximum impact. Plus, hear inspiring listener stories about transforming anxiety into confidence during interviews! 

Feb 26, 2025 • 26min
Why being 'memorable' in an interview ISN'T a good thing!
 Standing out in interviews can actually backfire! The discussion highlights real-life examples of candidates who tried too hard to be memorable, only to harm their prospects. Instead of gimmicks, success comes from authenticity and competence. The hosts advocate for effective communication and a focus on mastering interview fundamentals. They also share a listener’s success story about finding a new job after years in the same role, emphasizing the power of tailored resumes and coaching in career transitions. 

Feb 19, 2025 • 24min
How to connect with a company you want to work for!
 Are you eager to connect with a company you admire, but don't know where to start, especially because they aren't actively hiring?In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma share a range of strategies that can help you build meaningful relationships with potential employers, from engaging with their social media content to reaching out to recruiters and managers directly!We also discuss how to navigate expressing interest in multiple roles and why you might want to narrow your focus to stand out. 🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Keara who bought us 3 coffees!“Last year, I did a huge job search to get to the next level in my career and secure a fully remote job. When I started out, I wasn't really getting interviews, and my applications weren't going anywhere. I also had low confidence as I hadn't searched for a new job in 4 years. Last summer, I started listening to Interview Boss religiously, completely re-did my resume using your tips, and used Interview Academy to prepare for my interviews. I landed interviews for 6 different places and felt extremely confident after using the best bits framework. I ended up getting to choose between two incredible roles. I am now 4 months into my new, fully-remote job (with an Assistant Director title!) and a 50% pay rise that is exactly what I was looking for. It was worth the wait; your advice was instrumental in my confidence and success! Thank you!”🎥 Check out our 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 resourceswww.interviewboss.com.au 

Feb 12, 2025 • 25min
How to spot a BAD recruiter and the power of a GREAT one!
 Not all recruiters are the same and you shouldn't let just anyone represent you! It's important to be picky about which agencies you work with.In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma unpack a listener’s frustrating experience with a recruiter who left them feeling unsupported and unprepared. From the absence of a basic pre-interview meeting to the lack of communication after the interview, we point out all the red flags.We also share how to spot the good recruiters who will actually advocate for you and guide you through the process. The right one can change the entire trajectory of your career and help get you into jobs you wouldn't have ever considered or been able to land on your own!🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Jorien who is an Interview Academy Alumni!“Hi Sarah (and Emma), I found your podcast just before I had an interview. I did prep for that very well I thought, but it was a weird experience. My interviewers seemed to have all kinds of ideas about me, but didn't ask directly. I didn't go through to the second round because of experience, but they wanted to keep me as a backup as they thought the interview went great. I decided to apply further and found a job ad that seemed like a better match. I decided to use Interview Academy for my prep, as I realised that my 'good prep' last time might have focused on the wrong things (and surprise, it did). I used Interview Academy first to prep for a great cover letter and CV. Then I got an invitation for a first interview. I asked for a different time (as I couldn't make it) and started to work on my best bits and improve my career story. This morning I felt the nerves, insecure, afraid it might end up like the last interview. However, I thought about a really bad second interview I once did, and I got that job. So I thought: It can't be any worse than that. I just had my interview and it went really well. I felt confident going in, well prepared and ready to discover if this job would fit me. Although my interview was with 4 people, it felt relaxed and like a great conversation. My career story (full of elephants) went well and I could use my best bits for all kinds of questions. I really liked the people I spoke with. I felt so proud and confident walking out. Even if this job goes to someone else, I feel very happy about my preparation and how I did the interview. The good news is that all that prep is so universal, that if this doesn't work out, I can use it for a next interview. Thank you so much, this was (and is) extremely helpful. And I love the sound of your voices :)”🎥 Check out our 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 resourceswww.interviewboss.com.au 

Feb 5, 2025 • 28min
Contrary to popular belief, it ISN'T illegal to take a notebook into your interview!
 Amongst the stress of an interview, it’s easy to forget the stories and examples you prepared, or lose your train of thought and start rambling. But what if you had a secret weapon you could fall back on? Enter: The Magic Interview Notebook.In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma explain why bringing a notebook into an interview is NOT a crime, despite it feeling like one. From jotting down your carefully crafted questions to having prompts that jog your memory when you go blank, your notebook can be an epic safety net that can help keep your nerves at bay.We share how you can organise your notes, use them seamlessly without reading them word-for-word and bring it into the conversation naturally.🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Pat who bought us 5 coffees!“Emma and Sarah, Almost a year ago, my wife and I decided to make a big move to a new city with our boys. You may remember me as the jack of all trades — music, building, environmental work— too many disparate elements for a digestible resume. Like many others, I tried everything, and my wife started referring to me as "the invisible man." I was working so hard, making an impact that I was proud of, yet everything seemed to go unnoticed. I started with your podcast, listening while remodeling friends' homes. Then I moved on to the Interview Academy and worked through developing my best stories and responses. Within a few months, I was getting noticed and landed an incredible interview for a role leading an environmental non-profit in the city we hoped to move to. It felt like I had a great authentic story for every question, and within a few weeks, I got the offer. I've been in the job for 7 months now, and while every position comes with its challenges, it's been incredible. I've developed a whole new set best bits to live alongside the old ones. Listening to the podcast, I kept having the feeling that you two had some magical power that seeped through listeners' earbuds. All these months later, I'm certain of it. But really, you're providing us all with confidence, kindness, laughter, and actionable steps to improve our career transitions. Thank you and cheers! Pat!”🎥 Check out our 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 resourceswww.interviewboss.com.au 

4 snips
Jan 29, 2025 • 20min
Does your job give you enough transferrable skills?
 Discover how any job can yield valuable stories for interviews, with a focus on roles that enhance transferable skills. Learn the importance of strategic job choices to accelerate career growth. Small shifts in responsibility can lead to significant resume wins! The hosts share real-life success stories and practical advice, from negotiating benefits to crafting compelling narratives about your experiences. Plus, find out how experiences in various dining environments can uniquely shape your skills. 

Jan 22, 2025 • 33min
The importance of the company description line on your CV
 You’ve probably spent hours crafting the perfect resume, but have you ever stopped to consider whether the hiring manager actually knows anything about your previous employers? You shouldn't assume they would have heard of the company before!In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma discuss the importance of including a brief company description on your CV to give context to your experience, clarify the scope of your role and the time period you worked there. This simple addition can save you from misunderstandings and help the hiring manager understand your background quickly and clearly in this competitive job market.🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Mendy who bought us a coffee!"Thank you for making the podcast and the resources available to us for free, as much of the stress of being unemployed or underemployed is financial stress. I was laid off from a job in the middle of 2023. I'd been working 65-70 hour weeks and not taken a single day of vacation for 11 months because I was trying to prove myself and get a solid foothold on a competitive team. I got stuck in a bad situation with a toxic boss, and spent most days stress crying just to get through the day. I'd chosen this job though, and very much felt I had to lay in the bed I made. The layoff was devastating, but in some ways was a relief. I took a few months to get healthy and started applying at the start of 2024, but couldn't get anyone to pick up my resume. I applied for 1200 + jobs. I wove in and out of depression thinking that there was something wrong with me that I just couldn't see. I received no feedback, so I couldn't improve my resume or my application to do better the next time. I contacted my friend's realtor at the end of December to begin the process of selling my home because I'd used all of my savings. I felt like I was failing as an adult. If this gets read on the show, for all the folks dealing with these difficult situations, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP. It's so hard to continue trying when you get "rejected" (I know it's a bad word) over and over. It feels like a rejection of your life's work, your education, your capabilities, your desires, and your life and ability to fund it. But keep it up. Keep trying, keep adjusting, keep applying. You are not alone. The week before Christmas, right after that call with the realtor, I received a few wonderful offers, and I am now preparing to start 2025 - over a year and a half after I'd been let go - in a new path. Your podcast and resources were like scaffolding to help me mentally work through the confusing process and stressful steps of this journey, and I'm so incredibly grateful. Thank you, thank you.”🎥 Check out our 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 resourceswww.interviewboss.com.au 

Jan 15, 2025 • 35min
Repeat after me: "This is the year I SHOOT MY SHOT!"
 If you’re ready to make bold moves this year, this episode is a MUST listen. In 2025, we want you to embody our mantra and ‘SHOOT YOUR SHOT!’Whether it’s applying for a job even though you don’t meet every single requirement, sliding into someone’s DM’s that you admire, entering a competition or asking to taste test an ice cream flavour before committing to a choice, we want to inspire you to stop waiting for permission, and start taking action.It's time to stop letting the fear of rejection hold you back!🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Jane who bought us 3 coffees!“Hey Emma and Sarah. I've been listening to your podcasts for 2 years already! Not anymore sorry but I recommend your podcast to everyone around me. I got my dream job by listening to your podcasts and applying what you advised. I listened so much that your voices became so sincere and dear to me (I even have a notebook dedicated to your episodes). Everyday I listened and took notes. I don't know how many times I listened to your group interview episode, before my own group interview! Now that I am in the corporate world, I think there are lots of things to consider, because just getting the job done won't get you promoted. If you run out of content one day I would love to hear some advice related to the corporate world, the oil and gas industry, gender imbalance, toxic environments, how to rise up despite all the hardships and de-motivation and being a woman in male dominated environment. I would love to hear about ADHD as well."🎥 Check out our 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 resourceswww.interviewboss.com.au 

12 snips
Dec 19, 2024 • 31min
Use these ChatGPT prompts to help level up your job search!
 Discover how to supercharge your job search with ChatGPT! The hosts share eight powerful prompts for crafting resumes and cover letters that stand out. They highlight the balance between utilizing AI tools and maintaining genuine effort throughout the process. With practical tips for salary research and building your job search toolkit, you'll gain insights to transform your approach. Don't miss the engaging anecdotes that bring humor and relatability to the job-seeking journey! 

6 snips
Dec 11, 2024 • 22min
Why you need to resist the urge to script yourself in an interview!
 Are you tempted to script your interview answers? Discover why this approach may hinder your success. The hosts discuss the dangers of sounding robotic and emphasize the need for authentic, engaging communication. Learn about a flexible answer framework that balances preparation with conversational ease. They also share tips on embracing natural storytelling to foster genuine connections during interviews. Tune in for practical advice paired with humor that empowers you on your job-seeking journey! 


