Interview Smarter. Get Hired Faster.

If you haven’t interviewed in years, it can feel scary. At first, you're thrilled to even get an interview. And then, you look over the job description and think:

“I used to know how to do this.”
“What if I sound rusty?”
“What if they ask about my 'gap'?”

Let’s reset how you think about interviews. An interview is not about proving you’re still capable. It’s about showing them you can do this job.  And that starts with preparation.

Step 1: Know what they actually need.

Don’t just skim the job description. Read it slowly. What are they asking this person to do every day? Manage calendars? Talk to customers? Track data? Keep projects moving? Handle details?

That role exists because something needs to get done. Your job in the interview is to connect your real experience to those tasks.

If they need someone organized, talk about how you’ve kept multiple schedules straight for years. If they need someone who communicates well, talk about how you’ve worked with teachers, doctors, volunteers, or clients.

You don’t need the same title. You just need to clearly connect your life experience to the job requirements.

Step 2: Prepare a few real stories.

Most interview questions fall into three buckets:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Tell me about your experience.
• Tell me about a challenge.

Think of:

• A time you solved a problem.
• A time something went wrong and you fixed it.
• A time you dealt with conflict.

When you answer with a real example, you sound confident--even if you feel nervous.

Step 3: Remember they're hiring a person, not just skills.

Yes, they want someone who can do the work. But they’re also asking themselves:

“Will she fit here?”
“Will she be easy to work with?”
“Can I trust her?”

They’re picturing you in meetings, on a busy day, and handling pressure. So slow down when you talk. Listen fully before you answer. And if you don’t know something, say: “I haven’t done that exact thing before, but here’s how I’d approach it.”

Step 4: Be ready for the gap question.

It will probably come up. Just keep your answer simple: “I stepped away to raise my children. I learned a lot during that time, and I’m ready to work again.”

Then shift back to the job. No long defense. No apology. You were managing a household, making decisions, handling people, and solving problems every single day. You just weren’t getting paid for it. That’s different than being inexperienced.

Step 5: Ask good questions.

When they say, “Do you have any questions?” don’t say no. This is where you can really stand out. Most candidates ask safe questions. You want to ask smart ones.

“What would success look like in the first few months?”
“What tends to overwhelm people in this position?”
“What problem are you hoping this person will take off your plate?”

Those questions move you from “candidate” to “future teammate.”

Step 6: Follow up.

Send a thank-you email within 24 hours and keep it short. Thank them and mention something specific you talked about. Reaffirm your interest and let them know you’d love to move forward.

This is one of the simplest ways to stand out and stay at the top of their list.

And if you don’t get the job, don’t assume it’s because of your gap. Sometimes they go with someone internal. Sometimes they want very recent industry experience. Sometimes it just comes down to timing.

Read additional blog posts here.