How to Prepare for an Interview? (Without Turning Into a Robot)

And let’s be honest, we all know that feeling. The specific mix of hope and dread. The heart thumping just before the call. The questions spinning in your head, like: What if I freeze? What if I talk too much? What if they ask something I didn’t prepare for? What if … ?!

Yep. We’ve all been there. The nerves, the mental rehearsals, the slight identity crisis. Totally normal, just part of human nature.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve got an interview coming up, or maybe you’re just trying to prepare yourself for the idea of one. Either way, let me say this upfront: you don’t have to impress your way into a job. You just need to connect.

In my career as HR and manager, I’ve interviewed a lot of people. Some who came in like they’d rehearsed in front of a mirror. Others were visibly shaking. And the unforgettable ones: from candidates who quietly and mysteriously disappeared mid-interview (screen off, no goodbye as hope they are fine…) or the ones who quoted every answer like it came from a script, with Shakespearean delivery.

I’ve seen it all: The Ice Block, The Podcast Host, The Over-Apologizer, The “Here’s my CV and my entire life story …” And honestly? Same. We’ve all had those moments…

But you know what stuck with me? The ones who were real. The ones who spoke like they weren’t trying to pass an exam, as the interview is not a checklist. It is not about “How to win?” It's about “How to show up and still feel like yourself?”

As someone who’s been on the other side of the table more times than I can count (and who’s seen every flavor of interview vibe) I’ve come to believe one thing above all: people don’t need to be perfect. They need to be present. And a little bit prepared.

So now that we’ve calmed the heart rate just a little, let’s get into the part you came here for. Not a magic formula, not a script, but a handful of things that help. Things I’ve seen work across hundreds of interviews, and yes, even in those awkward, camera-lagging, “can-you-hear-me-now” remote setups.

These aren’t just interview hacks. They’re tiny anchors, ways to feel a bit more you, a bit more grounded, and a lot more in control (even if your cat decides to walk across the keyboard mid-sentence) .

If you’ve read our previous post on how interviews work at WIARA (you can find it here) that's wonderful! That gave you a glimpse of what to expect from our side. Now, let’s focus on your side and how to walk in prepared, confident, and fully yourself!

So, here we go with my tried-and-true tips for showing up human, prepared, and confident… without losing your authenticity in the process.

Tip 1: Know what matters to you (and say it out loud)

Before you even start prepping for common questions or reading the company’s mission statement… take a moment to check in with yourself.

What matters to you in a work environment?
What kind of team makes you feel calm, seen, energized, or just you?

Maybe it’s clarity and calm.
Maybe it’s fun and fast-paced.
Maybe it’s autonomy, or frequent feedback, or just not being micromanaged into oblivion.

You don’t need a list of values or a polished TED Talk. But showing up with a sense of what you need, even if it’s still a work in progress, makes the conversation way more real and way more useful.

🧠 Micro CTA:
Pause and take a moment: “What’s one thing you know you need in a team to do your best work? ”And here’s the thing: you’re not expected to have all the answers. You’re allowed to still be figuring things out. 

🎯 Why this works:
Because interviews aren’t one-way tests. They’re two-way mirrors. When you name what matters to you, it makes everything more honest and more human. You’re no longer just performing. You’re connecting.

As already mentioned, I’ve met hundreds of people in interviews, and the ones I remember weren’t flawless, but they were present and shared real reflections. I’ve seen someone quietly say, “I’m working on trusting myself more at work.” And it landed. Why? Because it was true. It wasn’t rehearsed, it was felt.

🌀 Wrap-up:You don’t need to be fully “figured out.” But knowing what matters to you, even in simple terms, gives you direction.It tells the interviewer (and yourself) that you thought about this.And trust me, that quiet clarity? It leaves an impression.

Tip 2: Don’t memorize answers (get curious instead)

If you Google “how to answer interview questions,” you’ll find millions of results. Templates, checklists, sample answers... And while those can be helpful, here’s the catch: they can also make you sound… like Google. And you’re not trying to win a quiz. You’re trying to build a conversation.

So instead of memorizing lines, just get curious. Ask yourself why the question matters and what your real take on it is. Reflect, don’t recite.

For example, instead of practicing a perfect answer to “What’s your biggest strength?”, think about a moment where you felt proud of your work. What were you doing? What made it work? That story is way more powerful than a buzzword.

🧠 Micro CTA:
Think of a time when you felt energized and useful. What does that say about how you work best?

🎯 Why this works:

Because genuine stories stick. They give the interviewer something to connect with, and they help you feel more grounded in what you’re saying. You’re not acting. You’re sharing.

🌀 Wrap-up:

You don’t need the “right” words. You need the real ones. Show up with reflection, not rehearsal, and you’ll stand out because of who you are.

Tip 3: Ask real questions (the kind you care about)

You know that moment when the interviewer says, “So now, do you have any questions for us?” Don’t waste it.
This is your chance to steer the conversation toward what you need to know. Not just to impress, but to make an informed choice.

- Want to know how feedback works in the team? Ask.
- Curious about how new ideas are handled? Ask.
- Not sure what the day-to-day feels like? Ask.


🧠 Micro CTA:
What would help you decide if this is a place where you’ll thrive? And here’s a little secret: when you ask thoughtful questions, it doesn’t just help you, it shows us that you’re already imagining yourself in the role. And that’s powerful.

🎯 Why this works:

Because interviews are a two-way conversation, not a one-way performance. When you show up with a sense of your own values, even in progress it adds depth and shifts the energy. It’s no longer about “please like me”, but “let’s see if this fits us both.”

🌀 Wrap-up

Give yourself permission to still be exploring. You’re not showing up with a script, you're showing up with curiosity and care. And trust me, that’s more powerful than any rehearsed answer ever could be.

Tip 4: Practice the setup (so it doesn’t trip you up)

If your interview is online (as at WIARA), don’t underestimate the power of tech prep. A shaky connection or echoing audio can throw off even the most confident extrovert.

Here’s what helps:

• Test your mic and camera. Not because we care how fancy your setup is, but because you will feel more relaxed if it all runs smoothly.
• Take a moment to see where the source of natural or artificial light is coming from and see how to position yourself so you're more visible.
• Choose a space that feels good. And it’s light and quiet (and ideally is not your laundry room).
• Log in a few minutes early. Just sitting in space calms your nerves.
  

🧠 Micro CTA:

If your screen froze mid-answer, what would you do? (Smiling and carrying on is a good start.)

🎯 Why this works:

Because when the tech fades into the background, you can be fully present. And that presence: calm, grounded, unbothered by glitches, makes a stronger impression than you think.

After hundreds of remote interviews, I’ve had dogs bark, doorbells ring, and even toddlers join a call. And it's okay. What matters is how you show up, even when things aren’t perfect.

🌀 Wrap-up:

Control what you can. Let go of the rest. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s your presence.

Tip 5: Just be yourself (and know it’s the whole point) 

This might sound like a cliché, but it’s not. Because so many people still show up to interviews trying to be who they think we want. They polish. They filter. They armor up.

But the truth? We want to meet you. Not the super-optimized LinkedIn version, but the real person. The one who’s learning, growing, and figuring things out. The one who sometimes says, “Hmm, let me think about that…” And it's absolutely okay.

🧠 Micro CTA:

What’s one thing you want your next team to know about the real you? Don't keep it to yourself.

🎯 Why this works:

Because when you show up with authenticity, it builds trust. And trust is what interviews are really testing for, even if no one says it out loud.

From me, as someone who’s been there too, I know what it feels like to want to get it “right.” But every time I’ve seen someone drop the act and just speak like a human, it landed. Not perfectly, but meaningfully

.🌀 Wrap-up:

Don’t perform. Connect. Don’t impress. Express.
Because the real you? That’s who we want to work with!

🎁 Bonus Tips (The little things that also matter)

• Wear something that makes you feel like you 👚
  If you’re wearing clothes that make you feel stiff, awkward, or like you’re impersonating a corporate mannequin… it shows. Go for clean and neat, sure, but also something that lets you breathe (literally and emotionally). If you wouldn’t wear it to a coffee with a mentor, maybe skip it for the call.
  
• Body language still matters (even online) 🪑
  Look at the camera sometimes, not just your reflection… (we know it's tempting). Nod. Smile. Sit like someone who wants to be here, not like you just woke up five minutes ago and were dragged in by your cat.
  
• Check your lighting 💡
  If we can’t see your face, we can’t connect. Here, the natural light is your friend. That overhead kitchen bulb that casts mysterious shadows like you're solving a crime? Not so much… And yes, ring lights help, but no pressure to become a YouTuber overnight.
  
• Water nearby? Great! 💧
  You might need a sip… or a pause, or just a second to blink, breathe, and remember that you’re not reciting Shakespeare. You’re not on stage, but in a conversation. (Also, let’s be real, hydration makes everything better.)
  
• Close those 18 extra tabs 💻
  Trust me, your brain will thank you. And your laptop might actually survive the call.
  
• Test your tech like a pro 🎧
  Mic working, and how about the headphones plugged in? Laptop charged and not balanced precariously on a pillow? Perfect! Now you can focus on being your brilliant self.
  

🧭 And how does all this play out at WIARA?

If you’ve already read our previous article about how interviews work at WIARA, you know we do things a little differently. We care deeply about creating a calm, fair, and human process, one that feels more like a conversation than a performance.

Our goal? To help you show up as your full self.

And that starts with clarity. When you apply at WIARA, you’ll get a detailed overview of the role, the team, and what matters to us. During interviews, we’ll walk you through real-life scenarios and ask you to reflect, not recite.

There’s no surprise “gotcha” questions. No, trying to trip you up. Just a space to talk about how you think, work, collaborate… and where you thrive.

What helps most?

• Being honest about where you shine and where you’re still learning.
• Bringing curiosity: about us, the role, and whether it’s the right match.
• Asking questions that matter to you, not just the ones you think we want to hear.
  

You don’t need to ace anything to leave a great impression. You don’t need to be fearless, flawless, or fully figured out.

But if you show up curious, open to connection, honest about what matters to you, and willing to be human in the process, that’s already a win. That’s memorable. That’s magnetic.

The point isn’t to prove you’re perfect. It’s to find a space where you can be real, grow, and maybe even enjoy the ride. You don’t need to impress us. You just need to meet us as you are. And we’ll do the same.

So take a breath. Shake off the pressure, and when the time comes, show up like someone you’d actually want to work with.

💬 Final Thoughts

You’re not expected to be perfect. You’re allowed to be in progress.

You’re allowed to say, “I’m still learning, but here’s what I know so far,” and that’s not a weakness. That’s realness. And it builds bridges.

So if your heart is racing a little before that next call, breathe.
If your answers aren’t polished, good.
If you need a second to think, take it.
Because the best conversations don’t come from a script.
They come from people who care, who reflect, who show up to connect.

And if you’ve read this far, I hope you’re walking away with something more than just prep tips. I hope you feel a little more seen, a little more grounded, motivated, and … a lot more human.
So take that breath, shake off the pressure, and when the time comes, show up like someone you’d want to work with.

Because at WIARA, we’re not looking for perfection. We’re looking for real people who reflect, who care, who show up ready to co-create something meaningful.

And if that’s you, we are excited to meet you!