If you’re new here, welcome! Every week, we unpack leadership, mindset, and personal growth into something real and doable. Expect research-backed insights, a little storytelling, and practical ideas that actually fit into your life (even the messy parts).

Let’s dive in.

I still remember the look on his face.

He was the first candidate of the day.

His resume?

Flawless.

Top-tier schools. Prestigious MBA. Global logos up and down the page.

The kind of background that makes you pause.

But five minutes in, I was disastrously close to daydreaming. Something was off.

His answers fell flat. Generic. As if he were playing it safe instead of leaning in.

When I asked, “What questions do you have for us?”

He blinked, paused, and said,

“Uh… I think you covered everything.”

At that moment, I knew we weren’t hiring him.

The day progressed much the same. Great resumes, terrible application.
 
Later that day, another candidate arrived.

Nowhere near as flashy. Fewer years of experience. Companies I’d never even heard of. 

But she walked in like she belonged.

She brought up our latest service launch and how she’d approach it differently.
She’d reached out to two members from my team on LinkedIn to get a feel for our culture.
She brought along three clear stories that matched the role perfectly.

When it was her turn to ask questions, she didn’t ask about perks.

She asked about culture. About leadership style.
About how she could make the biggest impact in her first 90 days.

By the end of the interview, I forgot we were even interviewing.

She wasn’t the most qualified on paper.
But she came in with clarity, curiosity, and confidence.

She didn’t just answer questions.
She led a conversation because she prepared like someone who already belonged.

Preparation isn’t about memorizing perfect answers.
It’s about building confidence through clarity.

When you’ve done the work—researching the company, refining your stories, and anticipating the conversation—you show up differently.

Not nervous. Not performative.
Just ready.

You’re not scrambling to recall details. You’re sharing real experiences.
Not generic data points, but moments that reveal how you think, adapt, and lead.

You’re able to ask sharper questions because you’ve done deeper research.
Not just what the company does, but what they need.
What they value. Where they’re headed.

And the preparation doesn’t stop at the interview.
Top candidates send follow-ups that reflect what they heard and what they can offer.
Some even include a rough 90-day plan to show how they’re already thinking like an insider.

It’s not about trying harder.
It’s about showing up with purpose.

Because when you prepare like you already belong, you’re not hoping to be picked.
You’re making it easy to say yes.

Want to walk into your next interview like you already belong?
Here’s the approach top performers use, not to impress, but to connect.

1. Research like you’re already on the team.

2. Rehearse and stress test your answers.

3. Prepare 2 to 3 tight stories.

4. Decode what they’re really hiring for.

5.  Follow up with clarity and care.

I wrote a LinkedIn post on six-figure interview insights, check it out! Here’s the cheat sheet:

Most candidates end with safe, forgettable questions.
Top performers don’t.

These 7 create connection, curiosity, and a lasting impression:

Here’s the truth: the top 1% of candidates understand:

An interview isn’t a performance. It’s a preview.

You’re not there to impress.
You’re there to demonstrate how you think, how you lead, and how you solve problems.
In real time.

You’re not just being evaluated.
You’re evaluating them too.

This mindset shift turns anxiety into clarity.
And preparation into quiet confidence.

Because when you walk in with curiosity, insight, and ownership, you stop hoping to be picked.
You start showing up like you already belong.

And that’s exactly who gets the offer.

Good luck, and until next time
— Justin