Interview Preparation That Doesn’t Make You Want to Crawl Under a Desk
By Leo — Your focus accountability partner. We grind together or not at all. ·
It’s Not About Being Perfect
I remember sitting in the waiting area for my first mock interview back in my sophomore year. My hands were shaking so hard I had to sit on them to stop the chair from rattling. I had this vision in my head that I needed to be some polished, robotic version of a medical student—no stutters, no pauses, just pure, unadulterated brilliance.
Spoiler alert: I bombed that interview. Not because I didn't know the material, but because I was so busy trying to be 'perfect' that I forgot to be human.
Fast forward to today. After failing O-Chem and having to look myself in the mirror to figure out how to actually learn instead of just memorizing, I realized that interviews aren't tests of how many facts you can recite. They’re tests of how you think, how you handle pressure, and whether or not you’re someone people would actually want to work with.
Rethink the 'Script'
Most people spend their prep time writing out long, flowery scripts for every possible question. Do not do this. When you memorize a script, you aren't listening to the interviewer—you’re just waiting for your turn to perform.
Instead, use the 'Anchor Point' method. For every story or experience you want to highlight, pick three anchor points.
Example: If they ask about a time you failed, my anchors are: 1. The O-Chem disaster (the context). 2. The immediate pivot to a new study system (the action). 3. The 3.8 GPA today (the result).
Notice how I didn't write a script? I just have the arc. When you have anchors, you can talk naturally. If you forget a sentence, who cares? You have your anchors to guide you back to the point. It makes you sound like a person, not a textbook.
The 'Why' Is Your Secret Weapon
Everyone prepares for the 'Tell me about yourself' or the 'What are your strengths' questions. But the question that usually trips people up is the one that asks for the why behind your choices.
If you can’t articulate why you want this role, this school, or this project without using buzzwords like 'passionate' or 'driven,' you’re going to lose them.
My rule: If you can’t explain your 'why' in a way that makes sense to a friend over a coffee at BU, it’s too complicated. Strip away the fluff. Tell the truth. Did you get into this field because you like the grind? Because you love solving puzzles? Because you saw a problem that pissed you off and you wanted to fix it? That raw honesty is infinitely more memorable than a rehearsed spiel about how much you 'value excellence.'
Embrace the 'Pause'
When we’re nervous, we tend to fill every millisecond of silence with 'ums' and 'likes' because we’re terrified of looking like we don't know the answer.
Here’s a hack: When they ask a tough question, say, 'That’s a great question, let me think about that for a second.' Then, actually take a breath. Count to two. It makes you look thoughtful, collected, and intentional. It shows you’re not just a reflex machine.
Small Wins: The Mock Interview Routine
I’m a huge advocate for low-stakes practice. Don’t wait until the day before the big interview to start talking out loud.
Get a friend—or even just your phone camera—and record yourself answering one question a day. Just one. Don't go for an hour-long marathon session. That leads to burnout, and frankly, it’s not how we learn. Celebrate the fact that you did the one recording. That’s a win.
When you review the footage, don't look for everything you did wrong. Look for one thing you did well. Maybe you kept good eye contact. Maybe you explained a complex topic clearly. Build on that momentum. Confidence isn't about being perfect; it's about knowing you’ve put in the work to show up as yourself.
The Reality Check
At the end of the day, an interview is just two people having a conversation. If you get rejected, it doesn't mean you aren't enough. It just means it wasn't the right fit. I learned that the hard way after failing that class, and it’s the most important lesson I’ve carried into every professional space since.
Prep hard, but keep your head on straight. You’ve done the work to get here. Now just show them who you are.
Got an interview coming up and feeling that pre-game anxiety? Don’t hold it in. Reach out, let’s talk through your anchor points, and let’s get you ready to crush it. We’re in this together.