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Because no one remembers your resume—but they’ll remember how you made them think.
Here’s the brutal truth: most interviewers won’t remember everything you said. They won’t recall your full job history, the five acronyms you dropped, or that perfectly rehearsed line you practiced in the mirror. But if you do it right? They will remember three core things about you. Why three? Because that’s about as much as the human brain can hold after an hour of back-to-back interviews. Two feels thin--four is too much. But three? Just right. Clear. Memorable. Repeatable. Enter: Your 3 Core Connectors These are your signature themes. Your Strengths. Your DNA. The qualities that show up in every role you’ve held, every challenge you’ve tackled, and every win you’ve earned. Think of them as your throughlines—the backbone of your career story. They’re not about buzzwords. They’re about impact. Your job is to identify those three core strengths and thread them through the entire interview—from your intro to your close, and every story in between. Because when your interviewer walks out and someone asks, “So… what did you think of that candidate?” You want the answer to be: “She gets results, builds strong teams, and thinks like an owner. We need her.” Not: “She was nice.” (Spoiler: nice doesn’t get offers. Clarity does.) How to Choose Your Core 3Start with the role itself. What does the organization actually need in this position? Then ask yourself:
Here’s an example for a VP of Retail: 1. Proven Leadership That Drives Performance at Scale 15+ years leading regional and national retail operations. Known for transforming underperforming markets by aligning people, product, and process—while owning full P&L responsibility and delivering sustained growth. 2. Entrepreneurial Operator with a Builder’s Mindset Whether scaling store networks or restructuring teams, I thrive in complexity. I bring a founder’s focus, balancing speed with strategy—and I don’t wait for permission to solve what’s broken. 3. Leader-Maker Who Elevates Talent I develop leaders, not just manage teams. My coaching-first approach unlocks accountability, raises performance, and creates future-ready managers at every level of the business. Make It StickOnce you’ve got your 3 Core Connectors, anchor every example you give back to one of them. You don’t need to repeat the exact same phrasing—but keep the themes consistent. You’re building a case. A memorable, human, results-driven case. Buzzwords fade. Impact doesn’t. So next time you walk into an interview, don’t try to impress them with a list. Walk in with your 3 Core Connectors—and let them do the heavy lifting. Clear. Focused. Unforgettable. That’s what gets you hired. -Amy Magyar, Mentor Coach & Interview Whisperer You’ve made it through the bulk of the interview. You’ve shared your experience, dodged a few curveballs, and maybe even nailed that “tell me about a time” story you didn’t see coming.
Then comes the moment that still manages to catch people off guard (EVERYTIME!!!!): “So… what questions do you have for us?” It sounds polite. Casual, even. It’s not. It’s a test—and a massive opportunity. The questions you ask at the end of an interview say just as much about you as all the answers you gave before. Maybe more. The questions show what you’re paying attention to. What you care about. How you think. And whether you're here to fill a job—or step into a role that actually matters to you. First thing don't remember: Don’t wait until the end. The best interviews aren’t monologues. They’re conversations. The strongest candidates don’t save their curiosity for the final five minutes. They sprinkle it in throughout. Hints: You hear something interesting? Ask about it. You’re not sure what someone meant? Clarify. They mention a challenge you’ve dealt with before? Offer insight, and then ask how they’re handling it. That’s not interrupting—it’s engaging. And it builds connection faster than any canned “greatest strength” story ever could. But when you do get to that moment…Use it wisely. This is not the time to draw a blank or recycle questions from a list you Googled that morning. What to avoid:
Instead, try something like:
And if you have courage (and you know you do)...consider the following:
You don’t need to rapid-fire through a list. Two or three great, thoughtful questions will do more than ten generic ones ever could. You’re not just there to prove you can do the job. You’re there to decide if this is a place where you want to do the job. The right questions help you get clear on both. So ask them. Early, often, and with confidence. Because "any questions for us?" is not the end of the interview. It’s where your part of the conversation really begins. -Amy Magyar, Interview Expert & Question Crafter Be More Interested Than Interesting
Because curiosity beats performative charm - EVERY time. Here’s the truth no one tells you - job interviews are not auditions for “Most Impressive Human.” And yet, so many candidates show up trying to deliver a TED Talk instead of having a conversation. Spoiler: no one wants a one-person show. They want someone they actually want to work with. Enter your new mantra: Be more interested than interesting. This doesn’t mean you downplay your brilliance. It means you show up curious—because connection happens when you stop performing and start paying attention. What makes “interested” beat “interesting” every time:
Bonus: the answers to these questions will help you tailor your responses in real time and show that you're listening...not just waiting for your turn to talk. You’ll still get to share your wins. But you’ll do it in a way that actually lands—because it’s connected to what matters to them. Being interested instead of interesting gives you the anchor you need to make this interview a dialogue, not a monologue. And that is the key to a strong interview performance. Trying to be impressive is exhausting. Being curious is strategic. This is your chance to show up interested - because that’s what actually makes you interesting. -Amy Magyar, Your Strategic Interview Coach |
AuthorThe authors of these blogs include incredible Coaches and Writers at FromWithin Coaching who are inspired to share their thoughts, ideas, comments, and possibilities with YOU, the reader. Archives
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