Seen Heard & Hired

Sarah Scott and Carol Fraser

Welcome to Seen Heard & Hired, hosted by Sarah and Carol. We are two recruiters, career coaches, ex-colleagues, and great friends with 40 years of combined industry experience. Join us for real conversations about careers, confidence and navigating the world of work. Honest stories, practical insights and the advice no one gives you. Whether you're feeling stuck, planning a career change or looking to build confidence at work, we're here to unpack what it really takes to be Seen, Heard and Hired. Follow us on Instagram / seenheardhired Facebook / seenheardhired

Episodes

  1. Jul 28

    Episode 05: How to Prepare for Common Interview Questions - Without Overthinking It

    Ever been asked "Tell me about a time when…" and your mind goes blank? You're not alone. In this episode we discuss how to prepare for these questions with confidence. Today Sarah and Carol discuss what they call the meaty middle of the interview—the part after 'Tell me about yourself' and before you get to ask your own questions. Behavioural questions, situational questions and those 'Tell me about a time when...' moments can leave even experienced professionals wondering where to start. They discuss behavioural and situational interview questions, how to use the STAR and SAR framework without sounding scripted, common questions about weaknessesand mistakes, and practical ways to answer with confidence while staying authentic. Episode Resources Need a quick reminder of what STAR stands for?Download our STAR Interview Framework, which explains each part of the model and gives you a simple reference to help structure your interview examples.👉 Download here: https://bio.site/Seenheardandhired Key Takeaways Interviews aren't about catching you out—they're about understanding how you think andwork. Behavioural questions are looking for real examples from your experience. Use STAR (or SAR) as a guide, not a script. Prepare a handful of stories you can adapt to different questions. Focus on your contribution, especially when talking about team achievements. Relevant examples matter more than perfect examples. Questions about weaknesses and mistakes are opportunities to demonstrateself-awareness and growth. It's okay to pause and gather your thoughts. Keep your answers concise and relevant. Authenticity will always leave a stronger impression than trying to give the 'perfect' answer. 🌐Connect with Us Follow Seen,Heard & Hired LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seen-heard-hired Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seenheardhired/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seenheardhired/  Website Carol Fraser – Fraser People:  www.fraserpeople.co.nz  💙Thanks for Listening If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love you to follow the podcast and share it with someone who might benefit from the conversation.

  2. Jul 14

    Episode 04. Finish Strong: How to End Your Interview with Confidence

    The interview isn't over until you leave the room. Those final few minutes can leave just as much of an impression as your first answer, yet they're often the part candidates prepare for the least. In this episode of Seen, Heard & Hired, Carol and Sarah discuss why the end of an interview deserves just as much attention as the beginning. Too often candidates relax once the interviewer's questions are over, missing the opportunity to finish the conversation strongly. They share practical advice on turning the end of an interview into a genuine conversation, asking thoughtful questions, assessing whether the company is the right fit for you, and avoiding some of the common mistakes candidates make.They also discuss navigating deal breakers, understanding team dynamics, thoughtful follow-up, and why curiosity and preparation can help you leave the interview feeling confident and remembered. Episode Resources 🎁 Free Download Looking for some inspiration before your next interview? We've put together a free download with 10 thoughtful questions to ask at the end of an interview.Choose two or three that feel right for the conversation and you'll leave a stronger impression while also learning whether the role and organisation are the right fit for you. 👉 Download here: https://bio.site/Seenheardandhired Key Takeaways      The end of the interview is your opportunity to leave a lasting impression.Treat the interview as a two-way conversation, not an interrogation.Prepare a few thoughtful questions rather than asking questions for the sake of it.Use the interview to assess the company, culture and team as much as they're assessing you.Don't mentally switch off before the interview has finished.Be upfront about any genuine deal breakers rather than raising them at the very end.Read the room and adapt your questions to the conversation.Curiosity and genuine interest will always come across better than trying to impress.Finish with confidence, professionalism and positive energy. Chapters        00:00 The Importance of EndingInterviews Strongly·        02:56 Turning the Interviewinto a Conversation·        06:00 Is This the Right Companyfor You?·        09:04 Common Mistakes at theEnd of Interviews·        11:57 Asking the RightQuestions·        15:00 Talking About DealBreakers        18:39 The Importance ofCuriosity in Interviews·        19:58 Crafting ThoughtfulQuestions·        22:05 Understanding TeamDynamics·        24:04 The Role of Energy inInterviews·        25:56 Thoughtful Follow-Up·        30:03 Finishing the Interviewwith Confidence·        33:59 Recap and Next Steps 🌐 Connect with Us       LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seen-heard-hired        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seenheardhired/        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seenheardhired/ Our websites·        Carol Fraser – Fraser People:  www.fraserpeople.co.nz        Sarah Veronica Coaching: www.sarahveronicacoaching.com 💙 Thanks for Listening! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love you to follow the podcast and share it with someone who might benefit from the conversation.

  3. Jun 30

    Episode 03. Tell me about yourself: The interview question everyone dreads

    "Tell me about yourself." Four simple words that leave many job seekers wondering where to begin. It's often the very first thing an interviewer asks, yet it's such a broad question that many candidates end up rambling through their career history or wondering if they're saying theright thing. In this episode, Sarah and Carol discuss why interviewers ask this question, what they’re really listening for, and how to answer without sounding rehearsed or simply repeating your CV. Drawing on decades of recruitment and career coachingexperience, they explore the power of storytelling, share a simple framework to structure your response, and explain how authenticity and preparation can helpyou stand out. You’ll also learn why interviewers aren’t looking for your life story—they’re trying to understand who you are professionally, how you communicate, and what youcould bring to their team. Whether you’re preparing for your first interview or your next career move, you’ll come away with practical tips to help you answer with confidence and leave a memorable first impression. This is the first episode in our interview series, where we’ll be unpacking different stages of the interview process and sharing practical advice to help you feel moreconfident at every step. Key Takeaways       “Tell me about yourself” may feel like the worst interview question, but it’s also one of the most revealing.       Interviewers are listening to how you communicate, not just what you’ve done.         Stories create far more impact than simply listing your jobs or responsibilities.A simple Present → Past → Future structure helps keep your answer clear and relevant.    You don’t need to memorise a script — you need to understand your own story.·        Authenticity, enthusiasm and genuine connection matter more than trying to sound perfect.·        Preparation builds confidence and helps calm interview nerves.         Strong first impressions can shape the rest of the interview.Chapters 00:00 Is “Tell Me AboutYourself” the Worst Interview Question? 02:54 Why Stories Matter More Than Your CV 05:57 What Interviewers Are Really Looking For 08:54 Making a Strong First Impression 12:03 A Simple Framework That Works 15:07 Why Authenticity Beats Perfection 18:00 Myth or Truth? Common Interview Misconceptions 20:57 Final Tips & Key Takeaways

About

Welcome to Seen Heard & Hired, hosted by Sarah and Carol. We are two recruiters, career coaches, ex-colleagues, and great friends with 40 years of combined industry experience. Join us for real conversations about careers, confidence and navigating the world of work. Honest stories, practical insights and the advice no one gives you. Whether you're feeling stuck, planning a career change or looking to build confidence at work, we're here to unpack what it really takes to be Seen, Heard and Hired. Follow us on Instagram / seenheardhired Facebook / seenheardhired