You’ve got the skills. You’ve got the drive. Now it’s time to step into your career closet and slay the interview with confidence, clarity, and just the right amount of edge!

Whether you’re a 20-something navigating your first big leap or a 30-something pivoting with purpose, this guide is your go-to for interview prep that blends strategy with style.

🧥 Dress Like You Mean Business

Dress the Part, Own the Room

Your outfit is your first answer before you even speak. It tells the interviewer how seriously you take the opportunity and how well you understand the space you’re stepping into.

Here’s how to build your interview look from your career closet:

🧥 Know the Dress Code (and Elevate It)

• Corporate or finance roles: Stick to clean lines and neutral tones. A tailored blazer, structured trousers or a pencil skirt, and closed-toe shoes say “I’m here to lead.”
• Creative or digital roles: Show personality with textures, color pops, or statement accessories. Think “editorial, not experimental.”
• Remote interviews: Focus on your top half. A crisp blouse, subtle jewelry, and tidy hair make a strong screen impression.

Pro tip: When in doubt, dress one level above the company’s everyday style. It shows respect without overdoing it.

👠 Choose Confidence-Boosting Pieces

Wear something that makes you feel powerful not just polished. That might be:

• A blazer that fits like armor
• A bold lip that says “I’m ready”
• Shoes that ground you (literally-no wobbly heels if you’re not super confident in them!)

Avoid anything that needs adjusting, rides up, or distracts you from speaking clearly.

👜 Keep It Clean, Simple, and Intentional

• Stick to one statement piece: a necklace, a bold bag, or standout shoes. Not all three.
• Neutrals and jewel tones photograph well and feel timeless.
• Iron everything. Yes, even on Zoom.

Your outfit is your armor. It should reflect your personality and the role you’re stepping into.

• Corporate or finance: Stick to structured pieces such as blazers, tailored pants, clean lines. Neutral tones with one bold accent (lipstick, bag, or earrings).
• Creative or digital roles: Add flair with textures, prints, or statement accessories. Think “polished with personality.”
• Remote interviews: Focus on your top half. A crisp blouse, layered necklace, and tidy hair go a long way.

Tip: Avoid noisy jewelry, overly casual tops, or anything that distracts from your voice and message.

🗣️ Speak Like You Mean It

You don’t need to be bubbly or overly chatty to make an impact. You can be an introvert and still nail the interview. You just need to speak with clarity, confidence, and intention. Think of your voice as part of your outfit: tailored, expressive, and quietly magnetic.

🎯 Structure Your Answers Like a Pro

Use the STAR method to keep your responses focused and powerful:

• Situation: What was happening?
• Task: What needed to be done?
• Action: What did you do?
• Result: What changed because of you?

This works especially well for questions like “Tell me about a time you handled a challenge” or “Describe a project you’re proud of.”

🧠 Pause, Then Speak

Take a breath before answering. It shows thoughtfulness and gives you time to gather your words. Silence isn’t awkward, it’s strategic.

💬 Use Power Phrases

Swap filler words for phrases that show leadership and clarity:

• “Here’s how I approached that…”
• “What I learned from that experience was…”
• “I’d love to bring that same energy to your team.”
• “Using my initiative”

Avoid: “Umm,” “I think,” “Just,” “Sorry, but…”

🔄 Mirror Their Energy

If the interviewer is formal, match their tone. If they’re relaxed, lean into warmth while staying professional. You’re not performing, you’re aligning.

📚 Do Your Research Like a Boss

Research Like You’re Already on the Team

Walking into an interview without research is like showing up in slippers to a boardroom. You might be comfortable but you’re not ready.

Doing your homework shows you’re serious, strategic, and already thinking like a team member. 

Here’s how to prep like a pro:

🕵️‍♀️ Start with the Basics

• Company website: Read their “About” page, mission, values, and leadership bios.
• LinkedIn: Check their company profile, recent posts, and employee insights.
• News & blogs: Look for recent articles, press releases, or thought leadership pieces.

Tip: Note down 2–3 things that genuinely interest you, things like their culture, projects, or values and mention them in your interview. Interviewers love to see that you’ve taken the time and effort to learn about the company. 

💡Understand the Role Deeply

• Re-read the job description and highlight key responsibilities.
• Match your skills and experience to what they’re asking for.
• Look up similar roles on LinkedIn to see how others describe their work.

Bonus: Prepare examples that show you’ve done similar work or solved similar problems.

🧠 Research the Interviewer (If You Know Their Name)

• Check their LinkedIn profile for shared interests, career path, or recent posts.
• Look for clues about their leadership style or team focus.
• Mention something relevant if it feels natural: “I saw your post about X—really resonated with me.”

❓ Prepare Smart Questions

Asking thoughtful questions shows you’re engaged and thinking long-term. Try:

• “What does success look like in this role after 6 months?”
• “How does the team collaborate across departments?”
• “What’s something you’re proud of in the company culture?”

Before the interview, dig deep into the following:

• Company culture: Check their LinkedIn, blog, and social media.
• Role specifics: Re-read the job description and match your skills to their needs.
• Interviewer insights: If you know their name, look them up. Find common ground or shared interests.

Bonus: Prepare 2–3 questions to ask them. It shows initiative and curiosity.

💻 Slay the Remote Interview Too

Just because you’re not walking into a boardroom doesn’t mean you shouldn’t show up like a boss. Remote interviews are still high-stakes and they come with their own set of rules.

🧼 Set the Scene

• Background: Keep it clean, neutral, and distraction-free. A tidy corner or blank wall works best.
• Lighting: Natural light is ideal. If that’s not possible, use a soft lamp in front of you (not behind).
• Noise: Silence notifications, close extra tabs, and let your housemates know you’re in “do not disturb” mode.

🎥 Frame Yourself Well

• Sit at eye level with the camera.
• Center yourself in the frame with your head and shoulders visible.
• Look into the camera when speaking, not at your own image.

Tip: Do a test run with a friend or record yourself to check your setup.

👗 Dress for the Screen

• Focus on your top half: a crisp blouse, subtle jewelry, and tidy hair.
• Avoid busy patterns or shiny fabrics as they can distort on camera.
• Wear something that makes you feel confident, even if they can’t see your shoes.

🗣️ Speak Clearly and Intentionally

• Pause slightly before answering, sometimes remote lag is real.
• Keep your tone warm but professional.
• Smile occasionally, a friendly face helps you look and sound more engaged.

📄Keep Notes Handy (But Don’t Read)

• Have your CV, key talking points, and questions nearby.
• Use sticky notes on your screen or a notebook off-camera.
• Don’t read word-for-word. It’s obvious and breaks connection.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (and How to Slay Them)

Interviews often follow a predictable pattern. Knowing what’s coming and how to answer can help you stay calm, clear, and confident. Here’s your cheat sheet:

🗂️ “Tell me about yourself.”

What they’re really asking: Can you summarize your story with purpose?

How to slay it: Craft a 60-second pitch that connects your past, present, and future.

Sample answer:

“I started in admin support, where I built strong systems and learned to manage client relationships. Over time, I moved into bookkeeping and digital marketing, blending numbers with strategy. Right now, I’m focused on building scalable workflows and helping clients grow with clarity. I’m excited to bring that same energy to a team that values independence and impact.”

🎯 “Why do you want this role?”

What they’re really asking: Do you understand our mission and how you fit?

How to slay it: Link your values and goals to theirs.

Sample answer:

“I love that your company blends creativity with structure especially in how you support small businesses. This role aligns with my strengths in systems thinking and client communication, and I’m drawn to your focus on sustainable growth and team autonomy.”

🧠 “What’s your biggest weakness?”

What they’re really asking: Are you self-aware and proactive?

How to slay it: Share a real challenge (something not detrimental to the job) + what you’re doing to improve.

Sample answer:

“I used to struggle with over-communicating in collaborative projects trying to be helpful but creating noise. I’ve since built clearer boundaries and use structured updates to keep things efficient. It’s helped me respect others’ time and my own.”

📉 “Describe a time you failed.”

What they’re really asking: Can you learn and adapt?

How to slay it: Tell a story with a clear lesson and growth.

Sample answer:

“In a past role, I launched a campaign without fully testing the email automation. It misfired and confused clients. I took ownership, fixed the issue, and built a QA checklist that’s now part of every launch. That experience taught me the value of slow, strategic execution.”

🔮 “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

What they’re really asking: Are you ambitious and aligned?

How to slay it: Show vision, flexibility, and commitment.

Sample answer:

“I see myself leading systems and strategy for a team that values clarity and creativity. I’d love to grow into a role that blends coaching, automation, and brand development while staying grounded in client impact.”

If you’ve made it down to the bottom of this article and taken the time and effort to read this far, you deserve to know the one thing that changed the way I look at interviews forever:

An interview goes both ways.

Yes, you heard me correctly.

Sure, the company is interviewing you to see if you’re the best fit for the role. But you’re also interviewing them to see if they’re the right fit for you. If their values, culture, or salary don’t align with what you need to thrive, it’s okay to walk away. You’re not just chasing a job. You’re curating a career that fits your energy, your boundaries, and your long-term vision.

You’re not auditioning, you’re choosing. And that mindset changes everything.

🎮 Treat It Like a Boss Battle

Interviews aren’t interrogations, they’re collaborative quests. You’re not just proving yourself; you’re checking if the role fits your values, energy, and growth path.

So step into your career closet. Choose your armor. Speak your truth. And slay the interview like the quietly magnetic boss woman you are.