This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Level the playing field
Early in my career, I didn’t know shit. But I was willing to learn. Hence why I completed so many courses and certifications; I got burned out from doing so many, but the learnings were invaluable.
However, there were interviews where my thirst and acquisition of knowledge were not effective in helping me land the offer.
To quote one person, “I was too green.”
How did I tackle this?
Confidence.
I consistently practiced interviewing, wrote out written responses to potential interview questions, and completed interviews with whatever company would offer me one, so I could obtain plenty of practice and increase my confidence.
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As I became desensitized to the nerves that can come along with interviewing, my confidence grew, and I was no longer scared of failure or making an interview mistake.
In the beginning, if you lack confidence, you will have to fake it.
As I told a recent student, never give your interviewer all the power. Remember that you are both on an equal playing field. It doesn’t matter if they’re an executive, your future boss, or someone with x amount more experience than you. It does not make them better than you or give you an excuse to project less confidence.
Furthermore, an interview is simply a conversation. If you treat it as such, you will be relaxed, and often, so will the other party. We all tend to be more confident when we’re relaxed.
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This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.