How Interview Coaching Helped One Client Go From Freezing in Interviews to Landing Her Dream Role

Job interviews can feel overwhelming, even for people who are highly skilled and experienced. Many of my clients come to coaching knowing they are capable, yet struggle to show it when the pressure is on. Today I want to share a story about one client whose journey makes me incredibly proud. It also shows what interview coaching can look like and how it can genuinely change the way you show up.

This client's experience is a great example of how clarity, mindset work, and practical practice can help someone go from self doubt to confidence. It also shows how coaching gives you space to reflect, make decisions, and build the version of yourself you want to bring into the interview.

When She First Reached Out

She came to coaching feeling stuck. She knew she was well qualified, but interviews made her freeze. She told me she kept blanking on questions, overthinking her answers and struggling to organise her thoughts. Even though she wanted the roles she applies for, the interview room felt like a barrier she couldn't get through.

This is more common than people think. Interviews involve uncertainty, high stakes and performance all at once. It's no surprise the mind goes into fight or flight.

Exploring What Was Really Going On

In our first coaching session, we explored what was happening for her. Instead of focusing only on the fear, we looked at patterns, triggers and where her confidence was getting lost. Coaching gives you the space to pause and think rather than react automatically.

As we talked, she realised it wasn't that she didn't know what to say. It was that she didn't feel prepared for the unpredictability of interviews and she didn't have a clear structure to lean on when her mind went blank.

Finding Clarity in Her Stories

Together, we broke her experience and achievements down into simple, memorable modules. This made everything easier to recall. Instead of trying to remember a long script, she built flexible stories she could adapt to different questions.

This approach helps clients sound clear and authentic, because they are speaking from reflection rather than performance.

Practising in a Coaching Space

We spent time practising with real interview questions. I asked questions, offered observations and strategies, and helped her notice where she felt strong. She chose what to focus on and each time she answered, she refined something new.

Coaching isn't about telling someone what to say. It's about creating a space where you can experiment, reflect and build confidence step by step.

Working on Mindset and Presence

Mindset is a big part of interview coaching. We used visual exercises to explore the version of herself she wanted to bring into the room. She reflected on how that person would think, speak and act. With this, she designed small, realistic actions to try between sessions.

These small changes created a sense of control and shifted her focus from fear to choice.

Seeing the First Signs of Change

After a couple sessions together, she noticed she felt calmer and more grounded. Her answers were more organised, she wasn't rushing and she was starting to trust herself.

This is the part of coaching I love the most. When clients begin to hear themselves sounding confident and realise the progress is real.

Celebrating Her Success

A few weeks later she emailed me with the best news: she got the job. Not only that, but she felt proud of how she handled the interview. She showed up as the version of herself she had been aiming for.

I was genuinely proud of her. She did the work. She challenged her fears. She chose new ways of thinking and communicated with clarity. Coaching supported her, but she created the change.

What Interview Coaching Can Do

Interview coaching isn't about memorising answers or forcing yourself to act like someone else. It's about clarity, confidence and choice. You learn how to:

• understand your strengths

• organise your stories

• respond to questions calmly

• show up in a way that feels authentic

• build confidence through practise and reflection

When these elements line up, you speak with authority because you understand your own value.

If You're Preparing for Interviews

If you're about to apply for a new role or want to feel more confident in interviews, interview coaching can help you approach the process with clarity and ease.

Not sure if coaching is right for you?

Start with a one-hour mini coaching session to get clarity, practical guidance, and clear next steps. No pressure, just focused support.

Book your mini coaching session