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Weekly Newsletter Vol. 110 - October 8, 2025

Generating your Lead Story…

The 5-Minute Rule That Can Change Every Interview You Have

Here’s something most people don’t realize: hiring managers form an opinion about you within the first 5–10 minutes of an interview.

That’s before they’ve even asked half their questions.

So if you want to stand out, you have to turn that early “interrogation” phase into a conversation — one where you’re positioning yourself as a peer, not a passenger.

Here’s exactly how to do it:

The “Conversational Interview” Strategy

When the company asks:
“Tell me about yourself.”

Most candidates panic and start giving a long biography that covers every job they’ve ever had.

Instead, try this:

Boom.

Now, instead of a one-sided Q&A, you’ve invited the interviewer to share what they actually care about.

You’ve just flipped the dynamic.

Here’s Why This Works

When you ask thoughtful questions early on, you:

• Shift the tone from an interview to a professional conversation.

• Show confidence and curiosity, two of the biggest traits hiring managers look for.

• Gather key information to tailor your answers to what actually matters for the role.

It’s not about being perfect — it’s about being intentional.

Example Flow

Company: “Tell me about yourself.”
You: “In my most recent role at [Company X] I managed a team of 10 on projects such as [example] where we accomplished [result]. I grew into that role by developing my skills in [area]. Out of curiosity, what’s the first project someone in this position would work on?”

Company: “The immediate need is for someone to lead [project].”
You: “That’s great — I actually worked on a similar initiative at [previous company] where we delivered [result]. What would success look like over the next 6–12 months for this project?”

Company: “Success would be delivery of A, B, and C.”
You: “Perfect — I’ve led comparable programs that grew departmental output by 300%. That’s exactly the kind of challenge I’m excited to take on.”

Company: “When can you start?”

The Takeaway

If you remember one thing, let it be this: Ask questions early.

It transforms your interviews from a test into a conversation — and conversations are where job offers happen.

Because great candidates don’t just answer questions… They drive the discussion.

You can’t make this stuff up

_{(*Disclaimer: these are real experiences provided by RME's community of job seekers and hiring managers)}

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_{*We do not receive any compensation for these promoted products/services, nor for any offers or discounts listed. Rather, we provide a platform for recruiters, hiring managers, and companies to present opportunities to job seekers.}

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