If you apply online and get interviews,
you're lucky. But are you prepared? Without networking you are missing a lot of the "preparation experience" and practicing conversations that...
Improve your communication skills
Land referrals or introductions (putting you at an advantage)
Practice delivering your expertise and value
When I help clients with interview practice and ask the difficult questions, they say, "yeah, I haven't thought about how to respond to that yet."
Then we go to work with...
How to Talk About "Elephants In the Room"
During Job
Interviews
Job interviews can be daunting. Especially when you’re asked about sensitive topics that you’re trying to avoid coming up.
Addressing the “elephants in the room” with honesty and confidence can actually make you stand out as a candidate.
That’s why you should expect them to be asked and be prepared with your responses!
5 Common Interview Challenges and How to Tackle
Them
1️⃣ A Gap in Employment What they’re thinking: “Why weren’t you working during this time?”
How to address it: Be honest and highlight what you learned so that the story you tell conveys it as becoming a positive experience with new skills discovered. Example: “During that time, I focused on [personal development/upskilling/caring for family]. Now I’m more motivated and prepared to bring my skills to this role.”
2️⃣ Being Terminated from a Previous Job What they’re thinking: “What happened, and have you learned from it?”
How to address it: Be transparent and focus on growth and the value you can add to the role you're interviewing for. Example: “That role wasn’t the right fit for me. In fact, it became clear that my expertise is in [specific lesson], and I’m now focused on finding a position that aligns better with my strengths.”
3️⃣ Being Overqualified What they’re thinking: “Why do you want this role?”
How to address it: Explain your genuine interest in (the company, their mission, what motivates you about the role) and long-term goals. Example: “I’m excited about this role because [specific reason] and see it as an opportunity to contribute and grow my skills in this area.”
4️⃣
Being Underqualified What they’re thinking: “Can they handle this role?”
How to address it: Highlight your transferable skills and share a story that has similarity. Use the STAR Method and be sure to share the positive results of what you did. Example: “I bring
[relevant skill/experience] and have a strong track record of learning quickly and delivering results.” Note: your story and the achieved results will validate your track record.
5️⃣ Salary Expectations What they’re thinking: “Are they within our budget?”
How to address it: Be prepared and flexible. Example: “Based on my research, I was expecting a range of [$X-$Y], but I’m open to discussing what works best for the role and the value I’ll deliver.”
Remember this: It’s not about avoiding these topics—It’s about showing your
ability to handle them with confidence and professionalism.
GREAT STORY about an executive client that was avoiding the discussion about why he "lost" his last position...
He was clearly avoiding a discussion
about it in our practice making the story confusing. I had to plea for the real story...
He left because his company wanted
him to skirt the truth about their performance and success, but my client wouldn’t do it, so he left!
And that, was his dark
secret, yet what he did was actually a noble and positive thing, but he didn’t know how to frame it that way when asked so he tried to avoid being asked about the topic.
So after we worked through exactly what happened, we used the 2Actify value proposition framework to formulate a positive response to the question, “Why did you leave your last company?”
And after he had his response, it was like a ton of bricks were lifted off his shoulders.
He started talking to his network with new found confidence, he quickly found a new opportunity, interviewed, and got the job. Then, he was promoted right away and very far up the chain of command (in a massive tech company, btw).
All because he changed his story, positioned himself powerfully, and went into the interview prepared and with full confidence in himself.
Many of us have “secrets” about our past work history that we’re not fond of. And, more often than not, we don’t need to be, which is why a major part of the 2Actify method is how to “sell your
impact”.
Once you know how to turn your past (no matter what it is) into a positive, it won’t keep you from getting your
dream career, it’ll actually be one of your biggest selling points!
→ Learn the strategies you’ll use to create the most magnetic version of your
skills and experience (that lead to interviews in half the time as traditional online methods).
→ And the Q&A sessions
you’ll get to attend each week have been specifically planned for this outcome: so that you NEVER get stuck, spend every minute of your job search getting that-much-closer, and bypass all of the possible mistakes I’ve seen in my 13 years in the career industry.
So YES. Knowing that you didn’t compromise on your life (or your family’s) by accepting a career any less than what you know you’re capable of, you can...
