The Best Interview Strategy? Be Clear on Who You Are

As a career coach working with expat professionals, I often meet people who’ve done everything right. They’ve tailored their CV, updated their LinkedIn, and researched the company… yet when it comes to interviews, something still feels off.

They show up trying to prove their adaptability, their fit, their flexibility — but forget to bring something essential to the table: themselves.

1. Start From the Inside Out: Who Are You Becoming?

Most candidates start by asking: What do they want to hear? I suggest a different starting point: Who do you want to become in your next role?

Interview preparation isn’t about fitting a mould — it’s about owning your story. Before you practice any questions, ask yourself:

• What strengths do I bring that I want to use more?
• What kind of environment helps me thrive?
• What am I no longer willing to tolerate in my professional life?

This is the kind of clarity that leads to genuine confidence, not performative confidence, but the real kind that comes from alignment.

2. A Real Story is More Powerful Than a Perfect One

A former client, a brilliant marketing strategist, Claire, came to me feeling lost in interviews. “I keep adapting my answers to what I think they want,” she said. “But I don’t know if I’m doing it right.”

When we worked together, she realised she was spending more energy on fitting in than on standing out. Together, we reframed her story — not as a list of achievements, but as a journey of how she creates value, solves problems, and leads with integrity.

That’s when things shifted. She stopped trying to be perfect and started being real.

3. Confidence Is Not Volume — It’s Clarity

You don’t need to speak louder, smile more, or “fake it ‘til you make it.” What you need is clarity about your strengths, your values, and your vision.

That’s what builds confidence in a room, especially for expats navigating cultural differences. You don’t have to become more “local” or “typical” to succeed. You have to become more you, and articulate what you bring with precision.

“Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde

4. Preparation Is an Act of Self-Respect

When you prepare for interviews by memorising model answers, you’re training for performance. When you prepare by reflecting on your personal values, motivations, and needs, you’re preparing for connection.

Try these exercises:

• Reflect on 2–3 career moments that made you proud. What do they say about what energises you?
• Record yourself answering “Tell me about yourself.” Listen not just for content, but for tone — do you sound like you?
• Practice articulating what you need from a role — not just what you can give.

You are not just a candidate. You are a human being with a vision. When you show up that way, the interview becomes a conversation, not a test.

5. Address the Real Interview Killer: Disconnection

Many of my clients are high achievers. But they often walk into interviews wearing a mask, trying to sound more polished, more “marketable,” more like someone else. The result? They sound generic. And the energy doesn’t land.

Hiring managers don’t just hire resumes — they hire people. If your answers feel disconnected from your real self, it’s hard to build trust.

Instead, anchor your stories in truth. Focus on impact. Let your values show. Yes, practice — but not to become someone else. Practice to become more fluent in your voice.

6. The STAR Method Is a Tool — Not a Cage

Yes, you can use frameworks like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to shape your answers. But don’t lose the soul of your story.

Use STAR as a way to bring clarity and focus, not to over-script or flatten your voice. Remember: people remember moments, not bullet points. Your stories are powerful when they reflect who you are and how you think.

7. Energy Speaks Louder Than Words — Even on Zoom

Whether it’s a video interview, panel conversation, or casual coffee chat, your energy matters more than your script.

Show up as someone who knows where they’re going — even if they’re still figuring out how to get there. Let your body language, tone, and eye contact reflect confidence rooted in authenticity.

A smile that feels true is more memorable than the most polished pitch.

8. You’re Not Just Being Interviewed — You’re Interviewing Too

It’s easy to forget this. But it’s crucial: you are also choosing.

When you hide your values or silence your needs to “get the job,” you risk landing in a place that isn’t aligned with who you are. And the cost? Burnout. Disconnection. A job that looks good on paper but feels wrong inside.

Ask real questions in your interviews:

• How does your team support professional development?
• What does work-life balance look like here?
• How do you handle feedback and conflict?

You’re not just trying to impress — you’re trying to connect. Make sure you’re choosing, too.

Final Thought: Don’t Lose Yourself in the Search

Yes, job markets are competitive. Yes, you’ll need to adapt, adjust, and be flexible. But never adapt so much that you forget who you are.

Because when you bring your full self—with clarity, conviction, and curiosity, you don’t just get a job. You get a step closer to a career and a life that fits you.