There's nothing wrong with applying for a role through a job board - people get hired that way every single day. But sometimes it pays to apply directly through a company's website, especially when it's a role you're genuinely excited about.

In this week's episode Sarah and Emma explain how going direct can give recruiters more context about you from the start. From accessing extra application fields and role details, to tracking your application and signing up for job alerts, we break down the practical benefits so you can decide when it's worth doing.

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Katie who bought us 3 coffees!

"Thank you so much, Sarah and Emma! I am SO excited to finally be writing in to tell you my success story. I’ve pictured this moment for months as I’ve listened to almost every episode of your podcast (some several times) and used your resources to fine tune my resume, best bits, and career story. It has been the most helpful guidance and support on my job search. Nearly 9 months ago I was laid off from a job I had been with for almost 7 years. At the time I absolutely loved the company and thought I would retire there. I stayed through multiple rounds of layoffs during my last couple of years there and never imagined it would be so hard to find a new role when my time to leave finally came. I embarked on my job search with no idea what I was doing. I live in the U.S., layoffs were hitting hard, and roles I applied for early on were getting pulled. I got very little results even with referrals from my network. I floundered around and felt like my career (and life) might be over. I finally found your podcast after several months of fruitless searching and got to work putting my best self forward. I started getting more interviews and got better at making sure I shared what I wanted to share even when the interviewer didn’t know what to ask for. After more than 300 applications and 22 interviews across 9 months, I am thrilled to share that I signed a contract for a new role yesterday! I was in final stage interviews with two companies and actually had the choice to turn down the one that wasn’t as good of a fit for me. My new role doesn’t pay as much as the one I was laid off from, but it is a good match skills-wise, the team seems fantastic, and I will have much better work-life balance, which is more important to me right now. I don’t think I would be in this position without your guidance and support. You helped me keep going, gain confidence, and get some momentum during a very challenging time. Your best bits and career story guidance helped me take back some control and steer my own ship again. I cannot thank you enough and I will be sharing your podcast with everyone I know who is on a job search. I hope you know the work you’re doing is making a difference and you made such a difference in my life when I really needed it. I will be continuing to listen so I can keep my job searching skills sharp and never be caught unprepared like I was this year again."

🎥 Top Interview Tips https://www.interviewboss.com.au/top-interview-tips

🏫 To get step by step help with your interview prep on demand check out our Interview Academy https://www.interviewboss.com.au/interview-academy

☕ Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewboss

☎️ To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coaching

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Stepping down a level on the career ladder can feel strangely just as intimidating as aiming higher. How do you explain why you want a less senior role without sounding like you’re burnt out, unmotivated, or trying to “quit” responsibility?

Whether you’re shifting from director to individual contributor, prioritising family life, or simply craving work that’s meaningful without the extra leadership load, there is a way to tell this story so employers get it, without making the wrong assumptions about you.

In this weeks episode, Sarah and Emma explain how to strike the right tone of vulnerability and intention, and how to balance your examples so you don’t accidentally signal that you’re still operating at a senior level. You’ll also hear how to frame what you loved about being an individual contributor, so this move sounds thoughtful, not like you’re stepping backwards.

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Xuan who bought us 5 coffees!

"Hi Emma and Sarah! I just wanted to thank you again. I’ve been listening religiously to your podcast for about 3 years now. I bought you some coffees 2 years ago when you helped me get out of a pretty toxic job, and I’m taking you out for a drink once again! My boyfriend was offered a position in a region we wanted to move to, and I was trying to find a job in the same area to join him. I work in Sustainability, and our job market has taken a serious hit this year, so I was stressed out thinking I would never find anything. You were there every step of the way, seemingly reading my mind and answering the questions I had with every new episode. I was amazed because even when I thought « Well, this episode’s not relevant for me, but I’ll listen to it anyway… », there you were, imparting precious words of wisdom, hope and encouragement. So I’m happy to say, for the second time… I’ve got the job! They even offered a 2k integration bonus - I never knew such a thing existed! Thank you so so much for the work you do, shepherding us lost souls across the treacherous terrain of job searching. I wish you all the best ! Xuan (you can pronounce it like Swan), a super fan from France."

🎥 Top Interview Tips https://www.interviewboss.com.au/top-interview-tips

🏫 To get step by step help with your interview prep on demand check out our Interview Academy https://www.interviewboss.com.au/interview-academy

☕ Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewboss

☎️ To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coaching

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📒 Check out our website for free jobseeker resources

www.interviewboss.com.au

No one likes the “What’s your biggest weakness?” question. It’s awkward, overused, and honestly…a bit lazy. But it still pops up in lots of interviews, so you need to know how to answer it without sounding fake, cliché, or like you’ve been media-trained within an inch of your life.

In this week’s episode, Sarah and Emma break down what this question is actually about—self-awareness, vulnerability, integrity, and how to reflect honestly without spiraling. It’s not a trap, it’s not a “gotcha” moment and it’s definitely not an invitation to say you’re a perfectionist for the 900th time.

We’ll unpack why those classic answers fall flat, how to choose a real weakness that isn’t a dealbreaker, and talk about what you’re doing to improve (without pretending you’ve magically “fixed” it).

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Lauren who bought us 5 coffees!

“Hey Sarah & Em. I just wanted to say a massive thank you for your podcast, it’s been a total game changer for me. Before going on parental leave, I got a new boss I really struggled with and decided not to go back after nine years with the same company. I’d had plenty of promotions but never actually interviewed for them, so I hadn’t interviewed in almost a decade, and never for senior roles. I was totally intimidated by the idea of interviewing again. During my parental leave, my sister told me about your podcast and wow, it was exactly what I needed. With a baby at home, I didn’t have much time to write, but I had heaps of time to listen, so I binged your episodes and found them so helpful. From the big stuff like Best Bits, Career Story and your ChatGPT prompt that stopped me sounding like a total weirdo, to the more specific advice like answering diversity questions or why I'm receiving emails at 2am, all of it was gold. At first, I met with recruiters when I’d only prepped a few rough best bits and no career story, and instantly regretted it, as I knew I wasn’t coming across well. So I put in the work, built out a solid career story and 15 strong best bits, and the difference was night and day. I felt so confident and ended up nailing my interviews. Your podcast genuinely made all the difference. Thanks for the practical, down-to-earth advice, you helped me get back out there and land a great role after parental leave.

🎥 Top Interview Tips https://www.interviewboss.com.au/top-interview-tips

🏫 To get step by step help with your interview prep on demand check out our Interview Academy https://www.interviewboss.com.au/interview-academy

☕ Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewboss

☎️ To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coaching

❤️ Follow us on Instagram

📒 Check out our website for free jobseeker resources

www.interviewboss.com.au