RESOURCES
Resources for your job search
A working library of the advice I actually send to candidates. Organized by where you are in the process, so you can find the part you need right now instead of reading all of it.
START HERE
If you keep things running
Most interview advice is written for people who manage projects and teams. These roles are judged differently. Here is what I listen for.
Attach a number, a tool, or a result to everything. "Managed calendars" says nothing; "ran scheduling for twelve people across three time zones" shows the scale you work at.
Assume there is a skills assessment, and ask about it. Asking what to expect reads as planning ahead, which is the whole job.
Have one story about walking into a mess. These roles usually exist because something is not working, so bring an example of disorder you fixed.
Have one story about saying no. Pushing back to protect someone's time shows the judgment that gets people trusted.
Do not undersell discretion. Being trusted with confidential information and difficult people is a qualification, so say it out loud.
Answer "why this role" straight. If it is your way into the building, say what you want to get good at here first.
— Kelly Colby, The Talent Post
Everything below is someone else's work that I think is worth your time. Six stages, in the order you will hit them.
STAGE 01
Before you apply
Getting your resume and profile past the filters and in front of a person.
STAGE 03
Preparing
What to do in the days before, so the interview is not the first time you hear yourself.
Practice out loud until your story sounds natural, not scripted — Missy, Career Coach
How to run your own question and answer practice — Missy, Career Coach
A word of warning as you prepare — Missy, Career Coach
When "tell me about yourself" turns into your entire career history — Tyler, Career Advice
STAGE 02
Applying and screening
The first real conversation, and the questions that tend to catch people out.
STAGE 04
Answering the questions
Structure for the hard ones, and what to ask when they turn it back on you.
Common questions, what they are really asking, and an example answer for each — Lee Harding
The STAR method, explained as a structure you can reuse — Career Vidz
A full worked STAR answer, start to finish — Hey Hello Recruiter
Answering questions about complex projects — Missy, Career Coach
The answering trick she used across 38 interviews — Carla Vass
The interview mistake nobody talks about — Danielle Robay
Five closing questions, delivered as scripts you can borrow — HR by Linda
What not to ask when they say "any questions for me?" — Emily the Recruiter
STAGE 05
Presence and delivery
How you come across, which is doing more work than most candidates realize.
The interview framework you learned early may be what costs you the job now — Missy, Career Coach
One word to keep out of your answers — Missy, Career Coach
How to make an impression, from a communication specialist — Jefferson Fisher
What your hands are telling the room — The Diary of a CEO
What the most watched talks have in common — The Diary of a CEO
STAGE 06
After the interview
The follow-up, and the first month once you are in the door.
Why the thank-you note needs to go out within 24 hours — Career Jane
What to do in your first 30 days on the job — Frank Niu
ALSO WORTH WATCHING
Examples from assistant and coordinator roles
These name specific job titles, but the thinking carries across support and operations work generally.
Moving from admin into operations, and how the problem solving changes — Ariana
They are not just evaluating your answer, they are evaluating how you think — The Career Decoded
Twelve questions to ask when you are interviewing for an assistant role — Hack Your HR
A full mock interview for an administrative position — Coaching with Hart
Three application tips from someone who got the job — Taylor
Still stuck on something?
If you are working through a search and want a second opinion on any of it, get in touch. I would rather you ask than guess.