Hi 👋 friends,
I’ve been thinking about all the job interviews I’ve done over the years — from co-op roles and part-time gigs to post-grad full-time jobs — and how much trial and error went into getting better at them. Behavioural interviews in particular have always felt like the make-or-break moment. Even if you’re qualified, it’s this part where you either click... or don’t. I’ve made my fair share of mistakes but also picked up a few things that work — so I figured I’d share what’s helped me the most.
🔧 1. What’s Working for Me
Treating interviews like two-way conversations. When I go in with the mindset that I’m also interviewing the company — not just being evaluated — it changes everything. I’m more present, less rehearsed, and way more myself.
🎧 2. What I’m Listening to / Reading
The Almanack is ready for pick up at the library!
🌆 3. Life in the City
To manage my finances better while also enjoying my time, I’ve stopped my daily Tim Hortons coffee routine. Instead, I go to a nice café to meet up with friends or work every weekend. Adds up to the same amount (or less) for better coffee and more hangout time with people. Win win
💠4. Thought
Behavioural interviews are really about how you think — not just what you’ve done. When employers ask about past situations, they’re not looking for a perfect answer; they’re looking to see how you react, adapt, and work with people. That’s what makes this type of interview both terrifying and empowering.
What helped me most:
Confidence: not the loud kind, but the grounded kind that comes from knowing yourself. Interviews used to make me shrink. Now I treat them like real conversations.
Prep based on the job description: I jot down stories that match the key traits the role asks for. Working independently? Think of a time you did that. Conflict with a teammate? Have one ready.
Curiosity: A candidate who asks thoughtful questions stands out. It shows you care about the work, not just the offer.
Clarity: I’ve rushed through so many answers in the past without even understanding the question. Now, if I’m not sure, I ask. And the interview goes way better because of it.
Communication: You can be brilliant, but if you can’t explain your thinking or connect with people, it’ll hold you back. Practicing how you talk about your experiences is underrated.
If you’re in the middle of a job hunt or gearing up for interviews, I hope this helped! I’ve also shared a few of these tips — plus examples of real questions I’ve gotten — on my YouTube channel if you want to check it out. And if you’ve got a trick that’s worked well for you — hit reply, I’d love to hear it.
I’ve decided on a timeline for these newsletters: biweekly Mondays. Starting to set up a routine and I’m pretty excited about it. So cheers to the end of Q2, and see you two Mondays from now!
Shermeen