You rehearsed your lines.

Memorized every possible question.

Practiced your elevator pitch.

Even smiled on cue.

But somehow… the interview still fell flat.

Here’s what no one tells you:

→ Interviews aren’t tests. They’re trust exercises.

→ They’re not looking for perfect answers. They’re scanning for believable humans.

→ You’re not being judged. You’re being evaluated for fit, friction, and follow-through.

That’s why most “interview tips” fail.

They teach you how to pass a quiz.

Not how to build connection.

Let’s fix that.

Here are the 8 real reasons I got hired — and what I coach every client to do:

1. Research like you’re joining a team, not just a company

→ Know their latest product launch

→ Understand their business model

→ Read their company values — and test them against what they actually do

People hire those who already “get” the org.

2. Read the job description like a UX brief

→ What pain are they solving with this role?

→ What outcomes do they care about most?

→ What trade-offs are they making?

Now craft your story around their problem, not your past.

3. Investigate your interviewers like a designer does users

→ Who are they?

→ What are they posting?

→ What do they care about?

This isn’t stalking. It’s user empathy.

Show them you did your homework — that’s rare.

4. Practice using CARL, not cramming

→ Context → Action → Result → Learning

→ One core story per value or skill they care about

Don’t memorize 100 answers. Just master 5 clear stories.

5. Ask questions that build credibility

→ “How has your UX team evolved in the past 12 months?”

→ “What’s one thing you’re hoping this hire brings that you don’t already have?”

Good questions signal confidence.

Great ones spark real conversation.

6. Treat logistics like product QA

→ Test audio. Test video. Test lighting.

→ Arrive early. Know the map. Anticipate the friction.

Your preparedness is a proxy for your reliability.

7. Follow up like a strategist, not a fan

→ Thank them — but also recap the value you bring

→ Reference something they said that resonated

→ Make it easy to remember why you’re the right fit

A thoughtful follow-up = instant differentiation.

8. Reflect like an athlete, not a victim

→ What went well?

→ What didn’t?

→ What’s your next adjustment?

Every interview is a rep. Learn fast. Iterate faster.

You’re not trying to win a test.

You’re trying to win trust.

And trust is built through clarity, consistency, and care.

Reply back to this email — what’s your take?