How Preparation and Authenticity Build Interview Confidence

Interviews can be daunting. Whether you're going for an internal promotion or stepping into something completely new, it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and nerves.

The key to success?

Preparation and authenticity.

Interviewing is a skill I support clients with at all stages of their careers, from early professionals to established leaders. I’m consistently inspired by the clarity and confidence that emerge as clients commit to the work. With the right structure and support, clients go from unsure to self-assured – often faster than they expected.

Why Authenticity Matters

One of the biggest challenges in interviews is showing up as yourself. The ego urges us to “perform” rather than connect. At the same time, the inner critic plants doubt: Am I really ready for this? Am I good enough?

But here’s the truth:

You don’t need to put on a performance to succeed.

With the right preparation – rooted in self-awareness, reflection, and practice – you can

communicate with clarity, confidence, and presence. When you're grounded in your story and aligned with your strengths, your energy shifts. And so does your impact.

When Your CV Doesn’t Sound Like You

A common pitfall I see is when someone’s CV doesn’t reflect who they are – or how they

speak or show up. Often, CVs are written by a third party or generated using AI tools like ChatGPT. While these tools can be helpful, they sometimes create a polished version that doesn’t sound like the person.

When everyone uses the same tools, applications can start to feel generic - costing you the opportunity to stand out.

You want your CV and your interview presence to be aligned. Consistency builds trust and credibility. Let your CV reflect your true professional identity!

Interviews Are About More Than the Job

Yes, interviews feel like high-stakes moments. But they’re also an incredible opportunity for growth. I believe interview preparation is more than a one-off task. It’s an investment in your broader development.

The skills you build – self-awareness, communication, reflection, body language, confidence

– support you far beyond the interview room. They help you navigate influence, leadership and everyday conversations with greater ease.

9 Practical Tips to Strengthen Your Interview Preparation:

These are some of the tools I share with clients to help them show up with clarity, confidence, and connection.

1. Know Your Career Story

Understand your journey – the roles you’ve had, what you’ve learnt, and how it’s brought

you to this point. Your story should flow naturally and connect with the role you're applying

for.

2. Perfect Your Introduction

That “Tell me about yourself” moment? It matters. Practice a concise, confident summary

that sets the tone and positions you well.

3. Own Your Key Strengths

Speak about what you know you do well – and enjoy doing. Your energy becomes magnetic when you talk about what genuinely lights you up.

4. Align Your CV with Who You Are

Don’t rely on a copy-and-paste CV or a generic AI-generated version. Your interview

presence should feel like a continuation of what’s on paper – not a mismatch.

5. Ground Yourself Beforehand

Your energy walks into the room before you speak. Take a few moments to breathe, centre

yourself, and arrive calm and composed.

6. Be Mindful of Body Language

Your non-verbal communication speaks volumes. Maintain good posture, relaxed eye

contact and natural body language. These cues build trust from the outset.

7. Use Concrete Examples

Talk about what you’ve done – not just what you know. Back up each strength or

competency with real, specific experiences and outcomes.

8. Show Why You're the Right Fit for the Role

Draw clear links between your background and the position. Help them see how you’ll

contribute, fit the culture, and succeed in the role.

9. Be Authentic and Assertive

Speak with confidence – but let your personality come through. You don’t need to be perfect - just prepared, present, and real.

Final Thought

Watching clients grow in clarity and confidence through this work is deeply rewarding.

It’s about showing up in your story, owning your value, and building a presence that goes beyond the interview.

If you're preparing for an interview, or want to support your team in building their professional

story and presence, I’d love to support you.

Let’s turn interview nerves into something much more powerful:

Authentic self-assurance.

Lisa Fitzpatrick Coaching

Helping professionals prepare with purpose, clarity, and confidence.