48% of interviews fail due to lack of preparation.
63% of hiring decisions are made within the first five minutes.
Those numbers alone are enough to raise the stakes. Interviews are high-pressure moments, not just because of the job on the line, but because most of us were never taught how to interview well. We were told to “be confident” and “do our research,” but what does that actually mean in practice?
In this episode of Breaking the Chain, hosts Nathaniel Chapman and Terentia Brown break down what it really takes to succeed in interviews, drawing not just from opinion, but from over a decade of real-world experience in executive search. Nathaniel has sat on the hiring side of the table for 11+ years, interviewing candidates at every level, and brings that insider insight into this candid conversation.
Right from the start, they challenge the idea that interviews are about perfection. Instead, they frame them as opportunities to connect, communicate, and demonstrate self-awareness, not just competence. Nathaniel reminds us that:
It’s not always the best candidate on paper that gets the job. It’s the person who takes the time to sit down, review, and really prepare.
That preparation doesn’t mean memorizing answers, it means understanding who you are, what you bring to the table, and what the role (and company) actually needs. It’s about doing the internal work before you step into the room.
Terentia adds another layer by highlighting the emotional side of interviewing. She reminds us that 75% of candidates feel anxious before an interview and often try to mask it by over-performing or saying what they think the interviewer wants to hear.
You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be prepared, present, and honest.
The conversation dives into:
- Why storytelling is a powerful way to prove your skills
- How to shift your mindset from “please hire me” to “does this role fit me?”
- The importance of post-interview follow-up and what it says about you
If you’ve ever walked out of an interview second-guessing everything you said, or if you’re preparing for one right now and don’t know where to start, this episode is the confidence boost you didn’t know you needed.
Listen to this episode on your favourite platforms:
