Landing your dream job isn't always linear. Sometimes, you have to take a longer path to get there. Kids might come along, your financial situation could change and unexpected life events can demand your attention, re-shuffle your priorities and pull you in different directions. This re-assuring episode is for all our listeners that are putting too much pressure on themselves to land the 'perfect' role right away. Spoiler alert: there's no such thing! Sarah and Emma explain that it's okay to dec...
Oct 17, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 37
Whether you're a longtime listener or new to the pod, chances are you've heard us mention 'Best Bits' before. It is undoubtedly one of our most important pieces of advice and underpins all of our teachings. We thought it was time to revisit this game changing concept. Forget googling 'common interview questions' and trying to come up with specific answers for each one. In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma explain why that's the exact OPPOSITE of where you should start. We unpack how to brainst...
Oct 09, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 36
You've been told you've got the job - but there's some t&c's. Your offer is contingent on you passing some third-party health and background checks, which could take weeks. Because of this, you haven't been given a start date. Can you start celebrating? Is this offer legitimate enough to warrant resigning? In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma respond to listener Mandi's conundrum and discuss how to protect yourself so you don't end up in a sticky situation. We share some tips on how you ca...
Oct 02, 2024•21 min•Season 4Ep. 35
POV: You have a job interview coming up, you've spent hours prepping your 'tell me about yourself' story and best bits and now, you just need to PRACTICE. It's officially time to summon a parent, your partner, a friend, a house mate, neighbour, or heck, even a stranger off the street (just kidding, please don't do that) to help you rehearse! All you have to do is send them a link to this episode. Your practice buddy may have never listened to us before - but that's okay, because this episode wil...
Sep 25, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 34
Being in an interview can feel like being in a pressure cooker. It's un-natural, you're nervous and thinking on your feet. As cliche as it sounds, good practice is KEY and will have you walking out of that interview confident you've done yourself justice. In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma discuss what exactly you should practice and share their favourite hacks like recording yourself on voice memos and listening back to it on repeat, or roping in a buddy to conduct a mock interview. 🏀 Shoo...
Sep 18, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 33
We’ve had a few questions from our listeners about a curious phenomenon. They receive the standard ‘unsuccessful application’ email, but at REALLY strange times - some are coming through on the weekend, way after hours, or even at 2am?! In this week’s episode, Emma and Sarah put their investigator hats on and get the scoop on why your rejection emails are coming through that way. Is it an automated rejection? Is it a nocturnal recruiter somewhere? Tune in to find out! 🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shouto...
Sep 11, 2024•25 min•Season 4Ep. 32
You’ve applied for a job, and you’ve landed an interview - BUT you’ve found out you won’t be the only candidate in the room, you're headed to an assessment centre! Employers use these a lot to save time OR when they're hiring in bulk, especially for grad programs. Having planned and facilitated dozens of assessment centres, in this week's episode, Sarah gives you the inside scoop on what you kind of tasks you can expect to complete. We discuss what an employer is looking for and share some helpf...
Aug 28, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 31
We always tell people starting out in their careers 'what you lack in experience you can make up for with enthusiasm,' BUT this golden rule does have caveats! This week's episode is dedicated to listener Kirby, who was told he came off 'too excited' in the interview after finding out he was unsuccessful. We unpack why extreme enthusiasm could make a prospective employer potentially concerned that you aren't forming a realistic view of the job. Disclaimer: This feedback should be taken with a gra...
Aug 21, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 30
You've made it to the final step in the recruitment process - you might be the final candidate OR you might still be up against someone else. But what happens when you have no suitable people to put down as a reference? In this week's episode Emma and Sarah answer a conundrum sent in by a listener who feels like they have no options for references due to bouncing between jobs and industries and not staying in touch with former employers. We share our tips for hitting up old bosses for references...
Aug 14, 2024•30 min•Season 4Ep. 29
Are you contemplating working overseas but unsure if it's the right move for your career? In this episode, Emma and Sarah dive deep into the pros and cons of taking your professional life abroad. Whether you're dreaming of a career adventure in a new country or weighing the practicalities of the move, this episode will provide you with the guidance and inspiration you need to make the best choice for your professional journey 🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Lewis who bought us 5 coffees! Hi Emm...
Aug 07, 2024•25 min•Season 4Ep. 28
Ever found yourself in a situation where you don't have an ideal story or example for an interview question? If you have something in mind, but feel like it doesn't show off your whole approach to decision making, you can consider adding a hypothetical at the end of your answer. It could sound like "but if that didn't work I would have done xyz" or "if the customer responded with x I would have then..." In this week's episode Emma and Sarah unpack the strategy which can be a lifeline in a pinch....
Jul 31, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 27
If you have an interview coming up and are a little tempted to wing it, then this episode is for you! It's easy to think "I just need to do a good enough job to get the role." BUT the truth is, smashing an interview out of the park will pay DIVIDENDS long into your career at the company. In this week's motivating episode, Sarah and Emma discuss all the ongoing benefits of giving an AMAZING interview, like having the role entirely changed to better suit you and your skills, getting offered a high...
Jul 23, 2024•22 min•Season 4Ep. 26
This week, Sarah and Emma are joined by a very special guest, Mel Storey! She’s a tech in-house lawyer, but not just any in-house lawyer, she was 2023 In House Lawyer of the Year, she is the Podcast Host of Counsel, she’s your career big sis on Tiktok and an all round Thought Leader. We cover SO much in this episode with Mel, including clerkships and work experience while studying, the recruitment phase, whether the reputation of a law school matters and pro's and con's of being an in-house lawy...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 25
One minute you're in the job seeking trenches, PRAYING you'll receive ANY offer and before you know it, you've been offered multiple opportunities all at once, and have to decide which to decline. Sound familiar? It's a conundrum we see ALL the time! In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma discuss how to gracefully turn down an offer or role. We discuss what this should look like, depending on what stage of the recruitment process you're in. Because pulling out of the race before you've even sat ...
Jul 10, 2024•26 min•Season 4Ep. 24
Join us as we unpack short-term contracts! In this week's episode Sarah and Emma discuss how they differ from permanent roles and the different types of short-term contracts from agency placements, to fixed-term gigs. We share some pro's and con's, like diverse experiences and maybe a higher paycheck, against cons like job insecurity and a lack of benefits. We also share our advice on what to keep in mind if you do take on a short-term contract, to ensure you're able to reap the rewards! 🏀 Shoo...
Jul 03, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 23
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 y...
Jun 26, 2024•30 min•Season 4Ep. 22
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...
Jun 19, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Interview preparation can be so overwhelming, particularly if you're in a time crunch! That's why we want to make sure you're spending the right amount of time on each step of the process. Because it's easy to accidently fall down a rabbit hole researching your interviewer, only to realise hours have passed and you haven't even got anything of substance to talk about in the interview yet! In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma discuss what parts of preparation require hours of your time, and wha...
Jun 12, 2024•23 min•Season 4Ep. 20
Many companies prioritise diversity within their workplaces and therefore are keen bring the conversation into the interview process. BUT it can be really tricky to come up with your own examples, even if you're the most inclusive person in the world! In this week's episode, Sarah and Emma explain what employers are looking for when they ask this question and brainstorm a range of out-of-the-box ideas that you might not have considered! Hint: You don't have to have created groundbreaking diversi...
Jun 05, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 19
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...
May 29, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 18
We’re tackling a listener's question about how to handle bad company reviews when you have an interview lined up. We get it - even if you’re desperate for a job, you don’t want to end up somewhere toxic. But don't worry, we've got you covered. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma talk about what really makes those reviews a red flag and how to tell if they're something you should be concerned about. We're also here to give you the confidence to bring up these reviews during your interview. Yes...
May 15, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 17
Have you ever had bad day at work and retaliated by going home and firing off multiple applications to new jobs in a fit of rage? You're not alone! A recent study by recruitment specialists Robert Walters found 65% of surveyed Australian professionals admitted to taking part in the trend, with toxic workplace culture, poor work life balance and an unmanageable workload to blame! In the U.S, 67% of professionals admitted to having been a rage applier in the past 6 months. In this week's episode, ...
May 08, 2024•23 min•Season 4Ep. 16
Here at Interview Boss, we believe preparation goes a long way in helping to combat nerves - and yes, you can even prep your small talk! We can almost guarantee you'll need to engage in some surface level conversation before your interview, whether it's when you're being walked through the building to the meeting room or while you're waiting for someone else to join a zoom call. It might sound lame, but knowing what you're going to say ahead of time, can free up your mental load. Plus, interview...
May 01, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 15
We know many of our listeners find us because they're desperate to get out of a job that's making them miserable! If you've already decided that you need OUT ASAP, then this episode is for you! Sarah and Emma share their own toxic job horror stories, and give practical tips to help you tread water and survive the last couple of weeks/months until you're out of there. 🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Deborah who is an Interview Academy Alumna! “Hi! I found out about Interview Academy through the ...
Apr 24, 2024•42 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Sometimes, starting your interview answers can be the hardest part. If you find yourself going blank or waffling too much before getting into your example then this episode is for you! Sarah and Emma share 2 fool proof ways you can start off your answers, with examples. Knowing you have this structure to fall back on can put your mind at ease and help you deliver your answer concisely! 🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Seth who bought us a coffee! "Hey Emma and Sarah! I am so grateful for your po...
Apr 17, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 13
The job search process can be brutal and getting knocked back repeatedly can really affect your self esteem. But what if the language you're using is only making things worse and fueling a confidence spiral? Our words are SO powerful! In this week’s episode, Emma and Sarah delve into the true definition of the word 'rejected' and why we are officially banning our listeners from using it. It's time to ditch the negative self talk and reframe your mindset. 🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to B who bo...
Apr 10, 2024•21 min•Season 4Ep. 12
We don't endorse ghosting, butttttt we're not going to pretend it doesn't happen in the real world. 👻 It’s the most frustrating and heartbreaking part of a job search. You don’t know whether you’re still in the running, or whether you weren’t the right fit. In this episode, Sarah and Emma discuss what might be going on behind the scenes and what to do about it. Hint: (nothing). 🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Ione who bought us 5 coffees "Hello you wonderful, talented humans! Where do I even s...
Apr 03, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Here at Interview Boss, we believe it's important to own your own career story - even the not so great parts! But we've noticed people are SO worried about doing this, out of a fear of highlighting any potential pitfalls. Hundreds of people have DM'd us over the years asking how they can explain their specific, sometimes 'tricky' situation when applying for jobs. In this week's episode, we give REAL examples of how to address common job-seeker conundrums including taking time off due to a health...
Mar 20, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 10
We all know it's important to keep your referees in the loop when you're progressing through interviews so they aren't caught off guard when the phone rings. But what if there's MORE you could do to set them up for success and ensure they give you a GLOWING, detailed review? Our Aunty Sue shared this tried and tested hack with us, and we thought it was WAY too good to gatekeep. In this week's episode, we talk about how you can use the last step in the recruitment process to really STAND out and ...
Mar 13, 2024•27 min•Season 4Ep. 9
If there's one thing we can thank COVID for - it's normalising working from home! During the pandemic, most companies had no choice but to allow employees to work remotely and the amount of remote jobs being advertised skyrocketed! But as we transition into the recovery phase of the pandemic, companies are increasingly ordering their workers back into the office - at least on a part time basis. Unfortunately this means remote jobs have become EXTREMELY competitive! In this week's episode, Sarah ...
Mar 06, 2024•25 min•Season 4Ep. 8
