We’ve all been there.
You’re on the hunt for a new job, and the interview is coming up.
You’ve read tons of articles, practiced answering questions in your head, and researched the company endlessly.
But somehow, you still feel unprepared.
Weeks go by, and you’re stuck in preparation mode, unable to move forward with confidence.
I call this getting trapped in “preparation mode.”
It’s common for job seekers, but it can also prevent you from performing your best during interviews.
I’ve been there.
I was on the hunt for a new job, and the interview was coming up fast.
I had read countless articles, practiced answers in my head, and researched the company endlessly.
But despite all that preparation, I still felt uncertain.
Weeks went by, and I realized I was stuck in “preparation mode.”
I was doing all the right things—reading, researching, preparing—but I wasn’t taking the real steps that would help me walk into that interview with confidence.
That’s when I realized I had fallen into a common trap.
Preparation mode feels productive, but it’s really a safe space that keeps us from taking the actions that truly matter.
Instead of sharpening my skills for the actual interview, I was busy tweaking my resume or reading one more article on “top interview tips.” Sound familiar?
If you’re feeling stuck in preparation mode too, don’t worry—you’re not alone.
Here’s how I broke out of it and moved forward with confidence, so you can do the same.
Symptom 1: Reading Too Much Interview Advice
I had read a dozen articles on how to answer interview questions. I’d watched countless videos about body language, what to wear, and how to make a great first impression.
But I realized that while I was soaking up all this advice, I wasn’t putting any of it into practice.
Action Step I Took: I stopped reading and started practicing. Instead of cramming in more tips, I chose three common interview questions (like “Tell me about yourself” and “What’s your greatest weakness?”).
I wrote down my answers and practiced saying them out loud in front of a mirror.
That week, I focused on perfecting my responses, not just absorbing more advice.
Symptom 2: Over-Researching the Company
I spent hours diving deep into the company’s website, memorizing every detail about their mission statement and CEO’s career path.
I knew their latest projects inside out, but I realized this over-researching wasn’t actually helping me get ready for the interview.
Action Step I Took: I simplified my research. I focused on three key areas:
(1) What the company does,
(2) The challenges they’re facing, and
(3) How I could help them solve those challenges.
This streamlined my preparation and allowed me to connect my skills directly to their needs in the interview, without overloading myself with details.
Symptom 3: Perfecting My Resume and Cover Letter
I was tweaking my resume for the 15th time, rewriting my cover letter to perfection for every job I applied to.
But eventually, I realized I was spending more time obsessing over documents than preparing for the actual interview.
Action Step I Took: I decided to trust my resume.
I had updated it to match the job description and highlight my key strengths, so I stopped worrying about it.
Instead, I spent my time preparing stories that demonstrated how my experience made me a strong fit for the role.
I focused on how to present these examples in the interview rather than tweaking formatting.
Symptom 4: Overthinking My Responses
I was trying to prepare the “perfect” answer for every possible question. But overthinking was making me feel anxious, and I realized my answers might sound too rehearsed.
Action Step I Took: I shifted my focus to three key points I wanted to get across during the interview.
Whether it was my leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, or passion for the industry, I made sure that my responses, no matter the question, circled back to these themes.
This kept me focused and allowed my answers to feel more natural and authentic.
Symptom 5: Waiting Until I Felt 100% Ready
I found myself putting off applying for jobs or scheduling interviews because I didn’t feel fully prepared.
I thought I needed to practice more, research more, or feel more confident before making a move.
Action Step I Took: I applied anyway. I realized I’d never feel completely ready, and that was okay.
I took the leap and applied to jobs even when I wasn’t 100% sure of myself.
With each application and interview, my confidence grew.
Action, not perfection, is what really helped me move forward.
Here’s How I Broke Free from Preparation Mode
If you’re like me, you might be stuck in preparation mode too. But trust me, the key is to take action, even if you feel a bit uncertain.
Here’s what worked for me:
- Reading too much interview advice? → Stop reading, and start practicing answers to three common questions.
- Over-researching the company? → Focus on the most important details, and don’t overload yourself with unnecessary info.
- Perfecting your resume? → Trust the version you’ve got and focus on practicing stories for your interview.
- Overthinking your responses? → Identify three key points you want to highlight, no matter the question.
- Waiting until you’re 100% ready? → Apply for the job now, even if you’re not totally confident yet.
Remember, taking action is the key to progress. Start small, but start now.
The more interviews you do, the more confident and prepared you’ll feel—without waiting for perfection.
