“People hire people, not CVs.”

In this solo episode, I’m sharing my ultimate guide to preparing for a job interview: from research hacks and mindset shifts to subtle ways to stand out. I’ll walk you through how I connect with interviewers before we even meet, how I prep authentic stories that impress, and the common mistakes I see candidates make that cost them the job.

Whether you’re stepping back into the job market or gearing up for your dream role, these practical tips will give you the confidence and clarity to shine when it matters most.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Why Dubai Wasn’t Home – I open up about leaving a glamorous life in Dubai for a more grounded life in the UK and what that transition taught me.

• Research Beyond the Homepage – I share why digging deeper into a company’s culture and financials gives you an edge.

• The Art of Connection – I explain how I reach out to interviewers beforehand to make an authentic connection.

• Mastering the STAR Method – I break down how I use the STAR method to tell stories that show measurable results.

• Confidence Hacks – From visualization to personal mantras, I reveal how I calm my nerves before the big interview.

• Questions That Impress – I talk about the smart questions I always recommend asking to show you’re evaluating the company as much as they are evaluating you.

• • Closing the Interview Strong – I share my go-to way to ask for feedback in the moment and turn objections into selling points.

  
  

  Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

  
  

  • “People hire people, not CVs.” – Susanna Gray

• • “You spend more time with your colleagues than with your family—choose wisely.” – Susanna Gray

  • “Always connect with your interviewer beforehand. A simple message sets you apart immediately.” – Susanna Gray

  • “Don’t just say you’re great at something—show them with a story.” – Susanna Gray

  • “Visualization is a game changer; manifest the energy you want to bring into the room.” – Susanna Gray

  • “You can never be overdressed for an interview. Showing up well is showing respect for yourself.” – Susanna Gray

  • “Be curious, not desperate. That’s the mindset that wins interviews.” – Susanna Gray

  • “End every interview by asking, ‘What reservations do you have about me?’—and then address them on the spot.” – Susanna Gray

  • “Know your numbers. If they don’t add up, your credibility is gone.” – Susanna Gray

  • “Honesty and preparation are your greatest assets in any interview.” – Susanna Gray

    
    

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What does respect really mean in today’s workplace?

In this episode of The Counter Offer, Susanna Gray and Tiarna McCormack dive deep into everything from Tiarna’s transformative two months in Bali to Susanna’s viral LinkedIn post that sparked a fierce debate about flexibility, standards, and respect between managers and employees. They tackle the clash of generations in recruitment, how hybrid work is reshaping culture, why discipline and self-respect still matter, and even how dating feels eerily similar to modern hiring.

Equal parts personal, professional, and provocative, this conversation strips back the layers on what recruiters, leaders, and individuals need to thrive in 2025.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• • Bali Reset – Tiarna shares how her time in Bali helped her find calm, clarity, and new ways to approach work-life balance.
  • Sound Healing & Stillness – Exploring how intentional rest and alternative wellness practices can reset the mind for performance.
  • The Viral LinkedIn Post – Susanna recounts how one simple post about workplace respect ignited over 300,000 impressions and a storm of opinions.
  • Respect vs Flexibility – Susanna and Tiarna debate whether employees should ask for flexibility or tell their managers, exposing generational divides.
  • Discipline, Standards & Self-Respect – A fiery exchange on why showing up, dressing well, and being punctual still matter.
  • Hybrid Work & New Generations – How Gen Z’s expectations and AI-driven change are forcing companies to rethink culture.
  • Dating & Recruitment Parallels – Tiarna compares the swipe culture of dating apps with transactional recruitment, and why deeper connections matter.
  • The Solopreneur Life – Both hosts reflect on the challenges and freedoms of running your own business, balancing independence with discipline.

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  Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

  
  

  • “If you create an environment of trust and autonomy, people often deliver their best work.” – Tiarna McCormack

  • “I hate being late. To me, it’s disrespectful—it’s not just about time, it’s about respect.” – Tiarna McCormack

  • “Hybrid working isn’t going away. The smartest organizations are adapting, not resisting.” – Tiarna McCormack

  • “Dating feels just like recruitment—everything’s so transactional when what people need is connection.” – Tiarna McCormack

  • “If you don’t have discipline and standards, what do you really have?” – Susanna Gray

  • “Your goal isn’t too big—your strategy is too vague.” – Susanna Gray

  • “I love when people challenge my opinion. That’s the only way we grow as humans.” – Susanna Gray

  • “Sometimes being vulnerable and cringe online is exactly what builds your personal brand.” – Susanna Gray

  • “The younger generation needs to learn discomfort—every great career starts with the hard, unglamorous jobs.” – Susanna Gray

  
  

  Follow The Counter Offer:

  • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Susanna's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
  • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiarna's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
  • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
  • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠