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...
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217: Neurodivergence and accommodations in the job search - Part 1
<p>Job Interviews aren't designed with every brain in mind.</p><p>After hearing from listeners navigating interviews with ADHD, autism, and processing differences, Sarah and Emma dive into how traditional hiring processes can unintentionally test skills that have little to do with actually doing the job. From remembering answers on the spot and processing complex questions verbally, to eye contact, small talk, and performing in unfamiliar environments, we unpack the hidden expectations some candidates are facing.</p><p>This episode is Part 1 of our deep dive into neurodivergence and the job hunt, focusing on self-reflection and understanding how your...
216: Trial Shifts: What Employers Are Really Looking For
<p>Being asked to come in for a trial shift can feel exciting…and slightly confusing. Is it a great sign? Is it free labour? And how do you actually perform well when you’re being assessed in real time?</p><p>In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma unpack what you can expect at a trial shift, and why it’s often less about skill, and more about how you show up.</p><p>We discuss what employers are actually looking for when they see you “in action,” especially in hands-on and customer-facing roles.</p><p>Most importantly, we’ll help y...
215: You Can’t Hack Your Way Into a New Job: Correlation Does NOT Equal Causation!
<p>Job searching can make you feel a little superstitious. One person swears a specific resume template got them hired. Someone else says it was the follow-up email. Another is convinced one “brilliant” question in the interview sealed the deal.</p><p>But we have to remember: correlation does not equal causation!!!</p><p>In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma unpack the urge to assign a single cause to a complex outcome.</p><p>We break down why our brains love to create neat little stories (hello, confirmation bias), especially when so much of the hiring process feels outsid...
214: Applying for Your First Manager Role: Owning your Experience (Part 2)
<p>What are you supposed to say in an interview…when you've never actually been a manager before?</p><p>In Part 2 of this deep dive series, we explain why self-awareness is your secret weapon, what to say when you don’t have a perfect example, and how to show a growth mindset instead of panicking. We also share the fundamental advice every first-time manager isn’t always told, but absolutely needs to hear.</p><p>Remember, you don’t need to fake leadership experience. You need to show how you think, how you learn, and how you’ll lead.</p><p>🏀 Sho...
213: Applying for Your First Manager Role: Getting the Mindset Right (Part 1)
<p>Going for your first manager-level role can feel like a whole different sport. Suddenly it’s less about your individual output and more about leadership, dealing with people problems and judgement.</p><p>In Part 1 of this two-part series, Sarah and Emma unpack the mindset shift you need when applying for your first leadership role. We discuss the fear of not feeling “ready,” why trying to fake management experience almost always backfires, and how employers actually think about potential vs experience. If you’ve ever worried that not having the title automatically rules you out, this episode is for you.</p>...
212: The Interview Horror Story that left us SPEECHLESS
<p>What would you do if the interviewers started talking about you...while you were literally sitting right there?</p><p>In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma react in real time to a listener story that made our jaws hit the floor.</p><p>During an interview assessment, Katie could see live messages being exchanged between the recruiter and hiring manager about her performance, on the same laptop she was using! Yep. While she was doing the task!</p><p>We unpack how to handle this if it happens to you, and what your options are in the moment.<...
211: Quitting your DISASTER new job. How much do you tell them about why you're leaving?
<p>You’re only five months into a new role, but you’re burnt out, crying daily, and dreading every shift. You know you need to leave for your mental health, but the old advice is ringing in your ears: "Never resign without another job lined up!"</p><p>In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma tackle a heavy listener dilemma from Rita, who is ready to walk away during her probation period but is struggling with how to approach the resignation conversation. Do you tell them exactly why the culture is toxic, or do you keep it professional and va...
210: Why you should start tracking your 'Best Bits' before you urgently need them
<p>If you’re not ready to job hunt yet but you can feel a change is on the horizon and the idea of talking about your achievements makes your mind go blank, this episode is for you!</p><p>Coming up with strong examples on the spot is one of the hardest parts of resumes and interviews! That's why creating a "best bits" tracker is one of the biggest gifts you can give your future-self!</p><p>We break down how to turn yourself into a “best bits hunter,” what actually counts as a win (hint: it doesn’t have to...
209: The benefits of applying for a job directly through the company website
<p>There's nothing wrong with applying for a role through a job board - people get hired that way every single day. But sometimes it pays to apply directly through a company's website, especially when it's a role you're genuinely excited about.</p><p>In this week's episode Sarah and Emma explain how going direct can give recruiters more context about you from the start. From accessing extra application fields and role details, to tracking your application and signing up for job alerts, we break down the practical benefits so you can decide when it's worth doing.</p><p>🏀 Shoot You...
208: How to explain why you're taking a step down (convincingly!)
<p>Stepping down a level on the career ladder can feel strangely just as intimidating as aiming higher. How do you explain why you want a less senior role without sounding like you’re burnt out, unmotivated, or trying to “quit” responsibility?</p><p>Whether you’re shifting from director to individual contributor, prioritising family life, or simply craving work that’s meaningful without the extra leadership load, there is a way to tell this story so employers get it, without making the wrong assumptions about you.</p><p>In this weeks episode, Sarah and Emma explain how to strike the right...
