My first real interview — and what I'd tell my past self

I spent a week memorising answers to 'tell me about yourself'. In the room, the first question was about a project I'd written one line about on my CV. I froze.

The Learndustry coaching had warned me this would happen. Interviewers don't want a script — they want to see how you think when something surprises you.

What saved me was talking honestly about what I'd actually done, even the bits that hadn't worked. The manager later told me that was the moment she decided I was worth offering.

If you're about to do your first interview: know your CV cold, then forget the script. Tell the truth, slowly. Ask one good question at the end.