Before you dive headfirst into another podcast binge (or into a tub of ice cream), take a moment to debrief with yourself. Skip the overthinking and the self-roasting – aim for a soft, honest post-interview audit. What went well? Where did you fumble? Did you accidentally overshare details about a UTI you had? (We’ve all been there.)
Keep it short and sweet. Write down three things you nailed and one area to improve, no essay required.
Focus on facts, not feelings. Swap “I’m a failure” for “I could’ve done better on X.” This keeps things constructive, not crushing.
Revisit any tricky moments. Think about how you might answer differently if the same question came up again.
Finally, remember to celebrate the wins – the question you nailed that lit up the room, or the fact you shared that left them impressed. Those moments belong on your list as much as the lessons.
Full disclosure: I’m out here acting like the interview whisperer, but I used to “um” and “like” my way through every answer – giving less CEO, more Toddlers and Tiaras. Toastmasters humbled me real quick. Now? The only ‘like’ I drop is: “I like you for reading this far.” (Ignore the failed flirt attempt…or don’t.)