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Weekly Newsletter Vol. 112 - October 22, 2025

Generating your Lead Story…

The Interview Hack No One Talks About

If you’ve ever had an interview coming up, you know that the 15–20 minutes beforehand can feel like the longest stretch of time in the world. You’re sitting there replaying your answers, checking your camera, or refreshing your résumé for the tenth time — all while your nerves slowly creep in. But here’s a simple, underrated trick that can change everything: call someone close to you right before your interview.

Choose someone who makes you feel at ease. Maybe a friend who makes you laugh, a parent who always knows what to say, or your partner who keeps things in perspective. And here’s the rule: don’t talk about the interview. Just chat about something ordinary like a funny story, a TV show, or even what you’re making for dinner. The goal is to let your mind relax and your energy reset.

This small ritual does more than calm nerves. It centres you. It warms up your tone and pacing, boosts your confidence, and helps you sound natural. One candidate in our community tried this before interviewing at a top logistics firm; she spent 10 minutes chatting with her brother about their favourite childhood snacks. When she got into the call, she felt lighter, smiled more naturally, and ended up building an instant connection with the hiring manager. She got the offer three days later.

There’s real psychology behind it. Casual, positive social interactions trigger endorphins — your brain’s natural stress reliever — which reduce anxiety and improve focus. It’s like a warm-up before a big race. Just as athletes stretch their muscles before performing, you’re stretching your communication muscles before stepping into one of the most high-stakes conversations of your career.

So before your next interview, skip the nervous rehearsing and pick up the phone. Call someone who brings you calm, not stress. Let the conversation be simple, real, and human — the exact qualities interviewers are drawn to. It’s a tiny action that can change your entire presence in the room (or on screen).

3 More Interview Hacks to Try

1. Use “Pause Power.” When you’re asked a tough question, take a 2–3 second pause before answering. It shows composure, gives your brain time to process, and helps you respond with clarity instead of rushing.

2. The Tell me about yourself question. When this question comes up at the start of your interview, the interviewer isn’t looking for your life story — they want a focused, confident summary of 2–3 key highlights from your resume that clearly show why you’re the best fit for the role. Stay on point. Keep your examples relevant to the job description, and avoid going too far back into your career or mentioning experiences that don’t directly align with the responsibilities of the position.

3. Ask Questions Early. Starting your interview by asking thoughtful questions is one of the smartest moves you can make. It instantly signals curiosity, confidence, and genuine interest in the role. It also flips the dynamic — transforming the interview from an interrogation into a real conversation. More importantly, it gives you an offensive advantage: by understanding what the interviewer truly values early on, you can tailor your answers to hit exactly what they’re looking for in every follow-up question.

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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