
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.
Latest episodes

4 snips
Jul 31, 2024 • 20min
Interview example coming up short? Add a hypothetical!
Ever stumbled in an interview without the perfect story? Discover the art of weaving in hypotheticals to showcase your problem-solving prowess. Learn how to pivot your narrative and control the conversation about your career. Plus, hear an inspiring success story from a listener who turned their job search around thanks to strategic insights! From celebrating milestones to mastering the response game under pressure, this discussion is your toolkit for interview triumphs.

8 snips
Jul 23, 2024 • 22min
ALL the flow on benefits of doing AMAZING in your job interview!
Discover the long-term benefits of nailing a job interview, like customized roles, higher salary offers, and exciting projects. Get tips on creating a lasting impression and boosting interview skills with Interview Academy.

Jul 17, 2024 • 1h 6min
Counsel for aspiring lawyers - with Career Big Sis Mel Storey!
Award-winning tech in-house lawyer Mel Storey discusses clerkships, job applications in the legal field, transitioning to in-house roles, and the importance of authenticity in interviews. The episode provides valuable insights for aspiring lawyers and career enthusiasts.

Jul 10, 2024 • 26min
How to GRACIOUSLY turn down a job offer WITHOUT burning the bridge!
Navigating the tricky waters of job offers is a hot topic here. The hosts share tips on how to gracefully decline an offer while maintaining a positive professional relationship. They discuss the nuances of withdrawing at different stages of the recruitment process. Personal anecdotes about listener successes add a fun twist, highlighting the motivational power of music in interview prep. Communication is key, and strategies for declining offers without burning bridges are at the forefront of the conversation.

Jul 3, 2024 • 31min
Help! Should I accept a short-term contract?
Dive into the fascinating world of short-term contracts! Discover how they differ from permanent roles and their variety, from agency placements to fixed-term gigs. The conversation highlights the perks, like diverse experiences and potential financial boosts, versus the pitfalls of job insecurity and lack of benefits. The hosts share valuable insights for navigating these contracts effectively and maintain motivation throughout your career journey.

Jun 26, 2024 • 30min
What kind of manager are you / do you like working for?
If you're a manager who conducts interviews, there's a fair chance you might be asked about your leadership style. In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma unpack the different management styles to help you identify and explain what kind of manager you are. This episode is also for those who have left a role due to not seeing eye-to-eye with a manager. Reflecting about what kind of boss you like to work under will help you avoid ending up in a similar situation! If you know what management style you thrive under, it's a great idea to ask how your interviewers would describe their management style, to see it aligns with your preference.🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Sabrina who bought us 3 coffees!"Sarah and Emma, hello from California and I'm excited to finally have a success story to share! I cannot express how grateful I am for all of your advice and support; it has been a lifeline in my job search. I am a career pivoter who decided to switch to design in the middle of applying to medical school. As a nervous introvert type of person, I have always struggled at interviewing and would go into fight-or-flight mode at every interview. I was able to avoid this issue for the most part because I interned at the same lab every summer in college and never really had to interview. As a result, I also never improved my interview skills or overcame my extreme interview anxiety. While interviewing for my first design job, I wrote out scripts and read them word for word because it was the only way I could answer the questions at the time. Somehow I got the job due to my portfolio and genuine passion for the company, but my manager later joked that I was "like a robot and almost seemed like I was reading from a script" (spoiler alert: I was!). After 2 years and management changes, I was laid off after being gaslit into thinking I was incompetent, too young, and needed a design degree to deserve a place in the field. Although tech mass layoffs are common nowadays, I was the only person who got laid off from my company and I felt immense shame and self-doubt for it. After meeting with mentors and getting honest feedback, I realized that I DO have what it takes and am worthy of the job I want. However, being dumped into the current tech job market was terrifying and although I managed to land interviews, many companies had intensive interview processes that I completely fumbled. Finding this podcast was a godsend, and I spent several days binging episodes. The podcast became like a best friend to me during these interviews: I listened before and after every interview (and laughed at the off-beat sniffs every time), while I was waiting to hear back, after rejection, and everything in between. Before every interview, I walked to my mirror and said 'You are the shit' in an Australian accent. I'm happy to say that I started leaving interviews feeling like I killed it and was finally able to let my personality and thinking process shine through during interviews instead of being a nervous wreck. THANK YOU again for all that you do!!!"📄 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

Jun 19, 2024 • 32min
Scam Alert! Do not get tricked by a job scam
Employment and recruitment scams were one of the top 10 scam categories in 2023 (according to the ACCC) which means people like you are being taken advantage of when they are looking for a new job.I know what you're thinking - you're way too savvy to fall for a scam... THINK AGAIN! These scammers are clever and they know how to take advantage of your emotions. In this week's episode Sarah and Emma talk about the different kinds of job scams out there, and how you can keep yourself safe. We even give you a new motto for avoiding scams online courtesy of our very own Assistant Treasurer.. "Don't click on the bloody blue link"🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Mark who sent us a message saying “Just had an interview and had this up there to remind me to clench!” and attached a photo that showed a post it note above his screen saying “CYBC” for ‘clench your butt cheeks’. Mark, you’re a legend.📄 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

19 snips
Jun 12, 2024 • 23min
Interview prep and time management: what to prioritise!
In this podcast, the hosts discuss the importance of effective interview preparation and time management. They share success stories, emphasize crafting personal narratives, and offer tips on researching interviewers efficiently. The episode covers strategies for prioritizing tasks, practicing, and showcasing skills during job interviews.

Jun 5, 2024 • 24min
How have you championed diversity, equity & inclusion in the workplace?
The podcast discusses the importance of championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace during job interviews. Tips on addressing inclusivity, creating a diverse workplace, and using out-of-the-box examples are shared. Reflecting on the value of preparation and confidence in the interview process, along with strategies for promoting diversity beyond traditional aspects, are highlighted.

May 29, 2024 • 19min
Am I being automatically rejected for not meeting the exact screening questions?
Am I being automatically rejected from a job for not meeting the exact screening questions?That is the question we answered in this week's episode, after Elizabeth, who has 3 years' experience and was applying for a role asking for 4, sent us her conundrum!The short answer? It's very unlikely - so keep shooting your shot!Screening questions are used to save recruiters time, and, in most cases, a recruiter is still looking at your application. The questions have just made it easier for them to filter through the candidates.Give this episode a listen to hear what advice Sarah and Emma have for Elizabeth.🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Jess who bought us 5 coffees!"Emma + Sarah, eternal thanks for the absolutely thoughtful, empathetic, actionable and just generally rad podcast! I found your podcast after my initial phone screen, and I listened to episodes in between every following round until I was finally offered the job!!! This 100% includes the listen to this before/after episodes. The sniffing on time disagreement during deep breaths made me chuckle every time I heard it and made my anxiety melt away. I would buy the coffees just for that magic alone, but I must also credit you both for a great perspective on the job hunt and interviewing...I think I probably could have gotten this job without listening to this podcast, but I don't think I would have felt so confident, engaged, and powerful in the process. I left every interview feeling like I had shown up in a great way, but also that I had gotten useful information about the company that would ultimately help me make my decision. Big thanks all the way from Missouri USA for cheering us all on to become interview bosses!"📄 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