READ THIS BEFORE YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW
How I Flipped the Power Dynamic in My Interviews:
From Firing Squad-Style to Conversational (a client’s perspective)
If your interview game feels shaky – you’re far from alone.
Those 60 minutes in the hot seat are simultaneously the:
Ø Highest stakes
Ø Least practiced
No judgement here, either.
But did you know, you’re already far better equipped with incredible skill to sell your value to your ideal employer than you realize. (oh yeah)
And to prove it, I’m stepping off my newsletter podium today and letting my client take over to share her experience directly so you can see it in action.
(and the way she used it to go from toxic work environment to ideal + culture fit job in < 50 days)
In her words…
So, I thought my interview strategy was pretty darn solid until Claire told me to say this:
“My goal isn’t to ace your list of questions—I want to understand your goals, your challenges, and figure out if I’m the right person to help you hit them.”
Oh! I hadn’t thought of that.
And my, oh my – this felt like I was back in my element again.
Only this time, I was the product and the interviewer was my customer.
So, this is how I now approach interviews—and it’s completely changed the dynamic – from confidence to clarity to how to present myself as a solution after I understand their needs.
I was doing it backward before.
And now, reflecting on countless conversations with decision-makers, I’ve learned that the most effective interviews aren’t about having perfect answers—they’re about asking the right questions.
Then, they’ll literally tell me what they need to hear.
And POW – suddenly, my interviews flowed like water and landed me a great job without my over-worrying about every single answer I could have prepared.
Here are a few things I learned:
The Interview Confidence Shift: From Passive Candidate to Strategic Partner
Let’s be honest: many interviews start as one-sided interrogations.
Especially with "driver" personalities—the ones who’ve been at the company 25+ years and walk in with a list of HR-curated questions.
But by inserting thoughtful, strategic questions into the conversation, I can flip the dynamic.
Not in an aggressive way, but in a way that creates a mutual exchange of value.
It sounds like when I say things like:
“I’d love to hear what’s been working really well for your team -- what do you think makes someone in this role truly successful?”
…it turns the conversation from “prove yourself to me” into “let’s explore how we align.”
…it makes your customer (ahem, I mean hiring manager) the hero in this situation.
Make It a Conversation, Not a Firing Squad
Here’s how I approach turning any interview—especially the high-stakes ones—into a more meaningful chat:
1. Anchor to What I’ve Learned Internally
Now, I always reference previous conversations:
“When I spoke with Jill, she mentioned a few core goals around expanding the hospital system footprint. I’d love to hear how that compares to your focus in this region.”
This doesn’t just show I’ve done my homework, it signals that I’m already plugged into the team and thinking about how I fit in.
2. Ask High-Leverage Questions
Some of my go-to’s are:
“What levers do top performers on your team pull that make the biggest difference?”
“What’s working really well for your region that might be transferrable to others?”
“What are the gaps or frustrations you’re seeing—and what kind of support would make your job easier?”
3. Shift From Selling to Strategizing
Rather than pitching myself constantly, I approach it like a consulting session:
“Here’s how I’d approach this challenge. Does that align with your vision, or is there something I’m missing?”
This makes the other person feel heard and respected and more likely to advocate for you internally.
Actionable Tips to Reclaim Interview Power
End 99% of your answers with a question
Bring a learner’s mindset. Even if you’re the expert, curiosity builds connection.
Question or assume something. “Assuming XYZ may be a sticking point for academic cardiologists, here’s how I’d structure the account strategy…” shows confidence and critical thinking.
Preempt objections. If you’re lacking direct experience, lead with how you’d think through the challenge in a ‘methodology’ or a ‘structured step-by-step.’
The Human Side of It All
The truth is, I was nervous going into these interviews. Like, really nervous. I was dealing with an overwhelming job, a lack of clarity, and a compensation structure that didn’t reflect my value.
But flipping the dynamic—stepping into curiosity, leadership, and strategy—gave me back my confidence.
Not by pretending to have all the answers, mind you – but by creating a conversation where I could co-create solutions with my potential team.
— Ellie
Sales Leader, Confident Interviewer, Job Winner
PS: If you're prepping for interviews and want to shift from feeling interrogated to feeling empowered, start by writing down five questions that you want answered—and ask them confidently.
You'll be amazed at how quickly the dynamic changes. And yep – it’s a job winner. I did it and you can, too
