7 Lessons That’ll Actually Help You Stand Out in a Job Interview
The do’s, don’ts, and turn-ons that will make your next interview the one they remember.
By
Josh Felgoise, Host of Guyset Podcast
Oct 27, 2025
Succession HBO
Job interviews don’t have to feel like an interrogation.
They’re supposed to be a conversation, and if you know how to show up like yourself, that’s when you actually stand out.
Here are seven lessons I’ve learned from being on both sides of the interview table. Some are simple, but every one of them matters.
1. Be a Person, Not a Pitch
“He had everything so rigid and so prepared and so robotic that it felt like there was no human element to it.”
That was me describing a guy I interviewed who had his answers rehearsed word for word. He was polished, but lifeless.
If your answers sound like they were written by ChatGPT, you’re overdoing it. Interviews aren’t about perfection. They’re about personality. Speak like a human being.
If interviews make you overthink every line, this post on how to stop overthinking everything will help you sound more natural when it matters most.
And if you struggle with over-preparing, this post on building confidence from scratch will help you find your balance.
2. Confidence Is Quiet
“Confidence can also lead into arrogance or pompousness. There’s a middle ground to it where you can speak clearly and prove that you’re good at what you do without having to state it.”
You don’t need to say “I’m confident.” Show it. Confidence is how you carry yourself, not what you claim.
The most confident people never have to announce it.
If you want to understand the difference between quiet confidence and fake confidence, this story on how to build confidence without being cocky breaks it down in a real way.
3. The Interview Starts Before You Think It Does
“When you turn on the camera, the interview starts.”
You’re not waiting for the first question. You’re already being observed the moment you log on.
If your screen is cluttered, you’re hunched over, or you’re clearly multitasking, it shows.
Before you join the call, close every tab, fix your lighting, and make the interview window full screen. You’ll instantly look more focused and composed.
If your setup needs a reset, this post on small lifestyle habits that change your presence will help you come across more confidently, both online and in person.
4. Speak Slowly, Then Stop Talking
“Speaking slowly with confidence behind what you’re saying is such a turn-on in an interview.”
When you rush, it sounds like you’re nervous or unsure.
When you pause, it sounds like you know exactly what you’re doing.
Don’t feel pressure to fill every second with words. Take a breath, gather your thoughts, and give clear answers.
That stillness reads as confidence, not hesitation.
And if you’ve ever felt like you talk too fast because you’re anxious, this post on how to slow down and sound confident will help you reframe that habit.
5. Ask Real Questions
“Have at least two questions to ask them. Ask about their experience, what they’ve learned, or what leads people to find success in the role.”
The last five minutes of the interview matter as much as the first five.
Ask about the interviewer’s experience. Ask what success looks like in the role. Ask what they love about their team.
Those questions make you memorable because they show curiosity.
If you want a real job, act like you’re genuinely interested in doing it, not just getting it.
Curiosity goes a long way in everything — not just interviews. Here’s how to ask better questions in dating and life if you want to practice being more intentional.
6. Follow Up Like a Pro
“Hi Ben, thanks so much for the time today. I really appreciated hearing about the way your team works on this project, and I’m excited to hear next steps.”
That’s all it takes.
A follow-up email that’s thoughtful, short, and specific to the conversation.
Mention something you talked about in the interview, thank them for their time, and sign off clean. It’s basic, but it will instantly put you ahead of 90 percent of people who never send one.
If you’re not sure how to write that email, this post on professional follow-ups that actually get noticed walks through it step by step.
7. You Deserve to Be in the Room
“You already got in the room. It might be virtual, but you’re there for a reason. Make the most of it.”
Every interview comes with nerves. You’ll never feel 100 percent ready. But the fact that you’re in that room or on that Zoom means they already saw something in you.
The goal isn’t to be flawless. It’s to be authentic.
Bring your energy, your presence, and your personality. That’s the version of you they’ll remember.
The mindset shift here is simple: you belong. That idea connects to everything we talk about on Guyset — from dating to confidence to self-worth. This post on how to stop comparing yourself to everyone else fits perfectly with that theme.
If you’re questioning your direction or feel like you’re behind, this post on what to do when you feel lost in your career is a good next read.
Bonus Reminder
“If you leave hearing nothing else I said today, have it be that. Send a follow-up email.”
That line sums up the whole episode.
Be the person who’s prepared but human. Confident but humble. Professional but real.
That balance is what gets you to the next round.
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Want to hear the full story? Listen to the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
