Real Job Interview Questions (And Honest Answers That Actually Help)

I answer real job interview questions about confidence, posture, follow-ups, and how to sound like yourself without overthinking it.

Let’s be honest. Job interviews are weird.

You’re trying to sell yourself without sounding desperate. Be confident without being cocky. Prepare answers without sounding robotic. And somehow do all of that while sitting in your bedroom on Zoom.

I’ve been on both sides of the table. I’ve seen the people who crush it, the people who spiral, and the people who were seconds away from nailing it but overthought everything.

These are the questions people ask me most often. And these are my honest answers.

What should I wear for a Zoom interview?

You don’t need to overdo it. Dress like you care, not like you’re auditioning for Corporate Ken.

If you’re interviewing remotely, wear something that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and composed. The bigger factor isn’t the shirt. It’s your posture.

Sit up straight. Keep your shoulders relaxed. Smile. Presence matters more than fabric.

Research highlighted by Harvard Business Review shows that interviewers form early impressions largely based on nonverbal cues like posture, eye contact, and facial expression, especially on video calls.

Also, check what’s behind you. If your background looks chaotic, they’ll notice that before they hear your answer.

How do I stop sounding rehearsed?

“He had everything so rigid and so prepared and so robotic that it felt like there was no human element to it.”

That line says it all.

If your answers sound perfect, you’ve gone too far. Preparation should make you comfortable, not scripted.

Write down your key points, not full answers. Practice saying them out loud in different ways. You want familiarity, not memorization.

This is the same issue I break down in How To Stop Overthinking Everything. When you’re focused on saying the right thing, you stop saying the real thing.

The goal isn’t polish.
It’s presence.

What if I talk too fast when I get nervous?

You’re not alone. Most people do.

But rushing makes you sound unsure, even when you’re not.

“Speaking slowly with confidence behind what you’re saying is such a turn-on in an interview.”

That line isn’t about charm. It’s about control.

Try this: take one full breath before answering any question. It will feel awkward at first. That pause is what confidence sounds like.

Studies referenced by Forbes show that slower speakers are consistently rated as more credible and composed, even when content quality stays the same.

Slow doesn’t mean boring.
It means grounded.

How long should my answers be?

Think clear, not long.

If you start monologuing, you lose their attention. If you cut yourself off too early, you sound unsure.

The sweet spot is usually thirty to sixty seconds. Answer the question. Give one example. Stop talking.

If they want more, they’ll ask. That silence afterward isn’t a failure. It’s a signal that you’re comfortable.

This is the same confidence principle I talk about in How To Act Confident When You Don’t Feel It. Confidence shows up in restraint, not volume.

What’s one thing most people forget to do after an interview?

Send the follow-up email.

“If you leave hearing nothing else I said today, have it be that. Send a follow-up email.”

It doesn’t need to be complicated.

“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 it.

According to Indeed’s Career Guide, candidates who send thoughtful follow-ups are remembered more clearly, not because they impress, but because they reinforce connection.

Most people don’t send one at all.
Doing it puts you ahead instantly.

How do I handle rejection or ghosting?

Rejection sucks. There’s no way around it.

But getting ghosted after an interview usually has nothing to do with you. It often means they were busy, disorganized, or already had someone else in mind.

Follow up once. Then move on.

This mindset mirrors what I talk about in Getting Ghosted Hurts, But It Might Be the Best Thing That Happened to You. Silence feels personal, but it rarely is.

Momentum matters more than any single outcome, even when it doesn’t feel like it.

What’s the biggest turn-on in an interview?

Presence.

“The best interviews are the ones that feel like conversations. Not tests, not interrogations. Just two people talking about something they both care about.”

It’s not about saying the perfect thing. It’s about making the other person feel relaxed talking to you.

If you can get them to smile, laugh, or lean in even once, you’ve already separated yourself from most candidates.

This is the same principle behind Why You Feel Like an Imposter (And How To Change it). The moment you stop trying to earn your seat and start occupying it, people feel it.

And Here's The Thing

You already got the interview. That means they saw something in you.

Don’t spend the entire conversation trying to prove you deserve to be there. Spend it showing who you are.

Prepared, but human.
Confident, but curious.
Professional, but real.

That’s the version of you they’ll remember.

FAQ: Job Interview Confidence & Presence

How do I stop overthinking during a job interview?
Focus on being present, not perfect. Overthinking comes from trying to perform instead of having a conversation.

How do I sound confident without sounding rehearsed?
Prepare key points, not full scripts. “He had everything so rigid and so prepared and so robotic.”

What’s the best way to calm nerves in an interview?
Slow down. “Speaking slowly with confidence behind what you’re saying” immediately makes you sound more grounded.

How long should my answers be in an interview?
About thirty to sixty seconds. Answer the question, give one example, then stop.

Do follow-up emails after interviews really matter?
Yes. “Send a follow-up email.” Most people don’t, which is why it works.