I teach people how to ace interviews—how to prep, how to articulate their strengths, how to close with confidence.

But last week I had an interview. And it completely hijacked my brain.

I debated outfit choices like I was going on a date. I mentally rehearsed answers while driving, while folding laundry, while staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m. And after it was over? I replayed every answer, every pause, every facial expression.

So if you're in the thick of job searching and wondering, “Why is this taking up so much mental real estate?” please hear me when I say: you’re not imagining it. Interviews are mentally exhausting.

Let’s talk about why...and what helps.

Why Interviews Feel So Heavy

An interview isn’t just a meeting. It’s a spotlight. It can feel like your entire career, potential, and personality are being judged in 45 minutes or less.

You’re walking into the unknown. Unknown people. Unknown questions. Unknown outcomes. That uncertainty alone is stressful. And on top of that, most of us are also wrestling with thoughts like:

• “Will they like me?”

• “What if I say the wrong thing?”

• “What if I forget to mention the most important part?”

• “What if I get the job and I’m not ready?”

Even people who teach this stuff still get nervous. (Hi, that's me.)

After the Interview: The Spiral is Real

Here’s what most people don’t tell you: the mental load doesn’t stop when the interview ends.

You send the thank-you email, and then… the waiting starts. You refresh your inbox. You re-analyze your answers. You remember the one thing you wish you had said.

It’s completely normal to feel a kind of emotional hangover. You’ve just done something brave and vulnerable. And your brain wants answers it can’t yet get.

What Actually Helps

Here’s what I’ve found to be most helpful:

1. Closure Isn’t External, It’s Internal

You may not get instant feedback, but you can get a sense of peace by completing a personal recap:

• What did you do well?

• What would you do differently next time?

• What did you learn about the role or the company?

Pair that with a thoughtful thank-you note, and you’ve done your part. That’s all you can control and it’s enough.

2. Your Goal Isn’t to Be Perfect, It’s to Be Honest

This is big:
The goal of an interview isn’t to get the job at all costs.
The goal is to confidently represent yourself and your skills.

When you show up with clarity and confidence, you win either way.

If it’s a great fit you’ll move forward.
If it’s not? You can walk away knowing that you presented the real you. And that job wasn’t the right one for you, not because you weren’t good enough, but because you were exactly who you are, and that role needed something different.

That wasn’t a missed opportunity. It was a moment of clarity.

3. Preparation = Peace of Mind

You can’t eliminate all nerves, but you can quiet a lot of them with the right prep. Knowing your stories, matching your skills to the job description, and having a strategy for common (and tricky) questions makes a massive difference.
If you’re unsure where to start, that’s exactly why I created this guide to help you ace your interview. I designed it for people who want to feel calm, clear, and confident walking into that interview room (or zoom room).

The Bottom Line

Interviews are hard. Full stop.

But they’re also an opportunity to step into your next chapter with clarity.

You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to impress everyone.
You just have to show up as the wildly capable, resourceful, strategic person you already are, and trust that the right people will see it.

💡 Ready to feel confident before, during, and after your next interview?

Grab the free guide.

You’ve got this. I’m cheering for you.