Interview Coaching FAQs
Your top questions about working with a leadership interview coach, plus answers to the questions leaders ask most when preparing for high-stakes video, online and on site interviews.
Logistics & Process
Do you specialize in any industry or functional area of expertise?
I work with leaders across industries and functional areas including finance, sales, marketing, operations, human resources, information technology, engineering, customer success, procurement / supply chain, and data analytics / business intelligence. My focus is interview performance, not industry expertise. My superpower is the ability to work with you to draw out your best selling points, hone your messaging, and provide honest, practical feedback so you bring your A Game to the next interview, regardless of your background.
Do you work with international clients?
Yes, I’ve worked with clients across the globe in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Central America, Asia, and South America. As long as you can work within normal business hours in the Pacific Time Zone, we can collaborate. International transaction fees will be added to the cost of services.
Do you write résumés and LinkedIn or other social media profiles?
No. I don’t write résumés, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, or other materials. If you need more extensive support beyond job interview coaching, , I’ll refer you to a trusted colleague.
I need help figuring out the next step in my career. Can you help me with that?
I work best with people who have already defined a clear job target, and anticipate interviews or have an active opportunity. From there, I help you define your key selling points and messaging to market yourself in the most effective, compelling way. If you’re in an exploratory or reflective phase, I can refer you to a trusted colleague who specializes in career direction.
What is your lead time for working with me?
My lead time varies based on client volume, but generally we can get started within a few business days.
Do you coach in person?
I work 100% remotely via Zoom. All mock interview sessions are recorded so you can review on your own time. This is especially valuable for video and online interview prep because you’ll see exactly what the interviewer sees.
What is it like to work with you?
I’m a down-to-earth, friendly person who can quickly put you at ease and create a comfortable space during this process. That said, I care deeply about your success, so please be prepared for candid, practical feedback others may not be at liberty to provide or too nice to share. I strongly believe that if you’re happy at work, you’re much happier in life. If I can help you get to that place sooner, then we’ve both won!
How do I get started?
To see if we’re the right fit for each other, schedule a complimentary phone consultation. Please attach a copy of your résumé and include a note about your situation, target jobs, and timing.
What do you charge?
My pricing ranges from $497 to $697 for coaching packages, depending on your situation and needs. You can also opt for individual services such as additional mock interview sessions or salary negotiation coaching. Please see my Services and Pricing page for details.
Interview Performance
How do I show my personality on a video or online interview without oversharing?
I help leaders find the balance between authentic and professional.
Here are a few quick tips:
- Use the interviewer’s name occasionally to build connections.
- Show your sense of humor when it makes sense.
- Remember to smile occasionally.
- Talk about what drives you at work, and how that shows up in the results you achieve.
How do I improve my presence on camera?
Make sure you’re completely centered in the frame, ensure your lighting is on point, make sure you have strong bandwidth, set up a professional background, and make good eye contact with the camera so it looks like you’re looking straight at your interviewer. Show energy by gesturing and with good voice inflection. Keep your answers structured and brief, aiming for about two minutes of response time for behavioral questions. Practice with recording and feedback to fix pacing, filler words, and rambling. Most leaders see immediate gains once they watch themselves back and know what to adjust.
I'm returning to the market after a long tenure. How do I address gaps or longevity?
Lead with recent impact and current skills, then normalize the timeline in one line: “I stayed to scale X through Y. Now I’m excited to tackle Z at a larger scope.” We’ll discuss and practice framing your tenure as depth and loyalty, not stagnation.
Any tips for panel interviews?
- Make good eye contact with the person who’s delivering the question, then when responding, make equal eye contact with the rest of the group.
- Engage the whole group with language like, “You and the team” when it makes sense.
- Use their names when possible.
For example, “As John just mentioned, with the focus on increasing customer satisfaction, I was involved in an initiative that improved customer satisfaction levels by 20% in one quarter.”
Can you run a mock interview and give me feedback?
Yes. In addition to going over your A/V setup and customized Q & A based on a job description of your choice, you’ll receive a mock interview recording, transcript, and interview performance analytics in addition to my actionable feedback that I’ll share in a debrief immediately following your mock interview. Most leaders see immediate gains in confidence.
How do I answer "What are your salary expectations?"
Don’t talk about salary too soon! Everyone’s circumstances are unique, but in general, in the early stages, if you’re asked this question, always ask the recruiter to confirm the range before you name a number. When the timing is right and you’re advancing in the process, and you’re asked to provide your expectations, give a range grounded in market data, anchor to total compensation, and tie it to the scope and impact of the role. For example: “Based on my research for the market and the scope we’ve discussed, I’m targeting $X to $Y in base salary, with XX in total compensation.”
We can script and rehearse this together so you can have conversations about salary based on your unique situation.
Still have questions?
Send a note or schedule a complimentary 20-minute call and we’ll figure out the best next step.