Stop Treating Your Interview Preparation Like a Situationship: It’s Time to Commit
By Nina — I'm the friend who tells you what you need to hear about your situationship. ·
Look, we’ve all been there. You’re swiping through LinkedIn or scrolling your inbox, you see a job description that gives you a little hit of dopamine, and you hit ‘Apply’ like you’re double-tapping a story on a Friday night. Then, the recruiter slides into your DMs (well, your email) and suddenly, you’re in the 'talking' phase. You aren’t doing the work, you’re just ‘vibing’ with the idea of the job.
But here’s the thing: treating your career moves like a situationship is exactly why you’re stuck in the ‘almost’ pile. You aren’t preparing for the interview; you’re just hoping the vibe is enough to get you to the next stage. Newsflash: It’s not. If you’re tired of being left on read by hiring managers, it’s time to stop treating your interview preparation like a casual hookup and start treating it like the partnership it is.
Stop Relying on Your ‘Natural Charm’
I know, I know—you’re great in person. You’re quick-witted, you have a great laugh, and you can hold your own in a conversation. But relying on your ‘vibe’ to carry you through an interview is like dating a guy who says he’s ‘bad at texting’ but expects you to be exclusive. It’s lazy.
When you walk into that interview room (or Zoom call), you aren’t there to be charming; you’re there to solve their problems. If you haven’t done your research, you’re just another person taking up their time. Before you even think about picking an outfit, you need to know the company’s pain points. What’s their latest press release about? Who is their biggest competitor? If you can’t articulate why they need you specifically to bridge that gap, you’re just another face in the queue.
The ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ Trap
Every time I hear someone start their intro with ‘Well, I was born in…’, I want to scream. That is the ‘What are we?’ conversation of the professional world. It’s awkward, it’s unnecessary, and it kills the momentum immediately.
Your intro shouldn’t be a biography; it should be a pitch. Think of it as your ‘Relationship Resume.’ Hook them with a win, ground it in your current expertise, and tie it back to why you’re sitting in that chair. If you can’t summarize your value proposition in under 90 seconds, you haven’t prepared. You’re rambling because you’re nervous, and you’re nervous because you haven’t committed to your own narrative.
Prepare for the ‘Red Flags’ (A.K.A. Behavioral Questions)
We all have those interview questions that make us want to crawl under the table. ‘Tell me about a time you failed.’ ‘Tell me about a conflict with a coworker.’ Most people avoid preparing for these because they’re uncomfortable. They treat them like the ‘ex-partner’ topic—something to be avoided at all costs.
Here’s your reality check: if you don’t address the conflict, you look like a liability. You need to have your STAR stories (Situation, Task, Action, Result) locked and loaded. Don’t just wing it. Write them down. Practice them in the mirror until you don’t sound like you’re reading a script. When you can talk about your failures with the same confidence you talk about your wins, you show emotional maturity. And let me tell you, every boss in 2026 is dying for an employee with emotional maturity.
The ‘Do You Have Any Questions for Us?’ Power Move
This is the part where most people check out. They say, ‘No, I think I have everything I need,’ because they want to end the date early and go home. Stop doing that. This is your chance to flip the script and interview them.
If you aren’t asking questions that make them pause and think, you aren’t taking this seriously. Ask about the team culture, ask about the biggest challenge the department is facing in the next six months, ask how success is measured in this role. When you ask high-level questions, you stop being a candidate and start being a consultant. You’re showing them that you’re already thinking about the work, not just the paycheck.
Commit to the Process
At the end of the day, an interview is just a commitment check. Do you want to be there, or are you just killing time? If you’re going to show up, show up like you’re ready to sign a contract. Dress the part, research the part, and for the love of everything, stop acting like you’re ‘just seeing where things go.’
Preparation isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being intentional. It’s showing the company that you respect their time, and more importantly, that you respect yours. Stop playing hard to get with your own success. You’ve got the skills, you’ve got the vision—now go get the offer.
So, are you going to keep treating your career like a situationship, or are we going to actually put in the work? My DMs are open if you need a reality check on your interview prep. Let’s get you to that offer letter. Catch you later!