Podcast Summary:

James Reed: all about business - Episode 71
Title: The Interview Method that Actually Works in 2026 | Will Moore
Host: James Reed CBE (Chairman and CEO, Reed Group)
Guest: Will Moore (Senior Area Manager, Reed Specialist Recruitment)
Date: March 23, 2026

Episode Overview

In this practical, candid conversation, James Reed sits down with Will Moore—an experienced recruitment leader specializing in the charity, not-for-profit, and education sectors—to unpack the art of modern interview preparation. Together, they dissect the most effective ways to research employers, present yourself with confidence and authenticity, leverage proven interview methods like STAR, and navigate classic challenging questions. The episode is packed with actionable tactics for anyone facing the pressure of job interviews, from first-timers to senior leadership candidates.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Four-Step Interview Preparation Framework

• [01:59] Will Moore's Preparation Steps:
  1. Company Website: Research mission, values, culture, products, and services.
  2. Social Media & News: Examine recent news, funding, leadership changes, and upcoming services.
  3. Know Your Interviewers: Use LinkedIn for connections and talking points; focus on public, professional information.
  4. Job Description + Personal CV: Read the job description in detail; align your skills and prepare clear examples; reread your CV to recall experiences easily.

“Reread your own CV, do it a few times, and be sure you know where your skills align with that job description... and recall examples easily.”
— Will Moore [03:19]

2. Demonstrating Preparation vs. Appearing Over-Invested

• [03:55] Quality Questions:
  • Vague or uninformed questions quickly reveal lack of research.
  • Show you understand the company’s direction and how your role supports that.
• [06:17] Striking the Right Balance:
  • Professional platforms like LinkedIn are fair game; avoid delving into personal social media.
  • Use public posts to build rapport but don’t overstep.

“If someone's posted something publicly on LinkedIn... that's a talking point. But you probably wouldn't want to check their personal social media.”
— Will Moore [06:50]

3. Nailing "Tell Me About Yourself?"

• [07:06] Most Common Interview Opener:
  • Key is preparation; those unprepared get flustered.
  • Share professional journey; explain how and why you reached this role.
  • Strike a balance between openness and professionalism.

“Share your journey in terms of how you got to be sitting here across from them... It helps them understand the steps you took.”
— Will Moore [07:23]

4. The STAR Method – Structured Response Technique

• [09:36] Explaining STAR:
  • Situation: Set the context.
  • Task: Define the objective.
  • Action: Describe steps taken.
  • Result: Present the outcome.
• [11:01] Example Provided:
  Framework used to answer “Describe a difficult customer situation” by tracing through S-T-A-R (“customer didn’t get delivery,” “task: resolve,” “action: reorder/apologize/goodwill,” “result: happy customer, increased business”).

“We would often recommend the STAR method—situation, task, action, result—because sticking to the actual answer asked of you is so important.”
— Will Moore [09:55]

5. Confidence vs. Authenticity

• [12:47] Using Facts, Not Fluff:
  • Avoid self-aggrandizement; use real data and achievements.
  • Authenticity means being real, not over-selling.
  • Maintain a log of milestones for reference.

“Instead of ‘I’m the top recruiter in London,’ say ‘I increased permanent placements by 20%.’ That feels less like bragging and more like being factual.”
— Will Moore [12:47]

6. Handling Tricky Questions: Weaknesses & Challenges

• [15:35] Addressing Weaknesses:
  • Tackle the question head-on; be transparent and prepared.
  • Show how you’re already working to improve.
  • Ideal role fit: 75–80% skills mastered, the rest as stretch/goals.
  • Frame weaknesses as double-edged: “impatience = efficiency but risk of mistakes.”

“Everybody needs some stretch elements in that job description. That's why you want the job—there's no growth in knowing everything.”
— Will Moore [15:35]

• [19:05] Discussing Challenges:
  • Choose genuine challenges, not just hidden strengths.
  • Focus on lessons learned and future applications, not always a “hero” ending.

“You don't always have to be a shining knight in every answer—fundamentally, it can seem insincere.”
— Will Moore [19:35]

7. Most Common Interview Mistakes and Modern Tips

• [20:04 & 21:31] The Importance of Practice:
  • Even well-prepared answers fall flat if not practiced aloud.
  • Use mock interviews with friends, family, or AI-powered simulations.
• Remote Interview Pitfalls:
  • Always test technology before virtual interviews.
  • Pay attention to your video background—remove distractions.
  • Be ready for contingency switches (from in-person to remote at short notice).

“If you haven't practiced saying your answers out loud, that's a problem. Practice with your partner, friends—or get AI to generate questions.”
— Will Moore [20:04]

“What you have in your background matters... We've had CFOs with washing hanging up behind them!”
— Will Moore [21:31]

8. Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Over-Researching:

  • “One guy knew that my pet tortoise was called John Terry. That gave me a bit of a shock.”
    — James Reed [05:32]

• On Weaknesses:

  • “If you say, ‘Well actually James, I'm often late,’ well… next! That's a weakness for sure.”
    — James Reed [17:59]

• On the importance of learning, not perfection:

  • “There will be challenges we struggle with... we all know we don’t always get it right.”
    — James Reed [19:45]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “Make sure you’re aware of any key phrases or repeated themes [in the job description].”
  — Will Moore [02:47]

• “Vague, uninformed questions... you're not demonstrating how your role fits into the company’s direction.”
  — Will Moore [03:55]

• “Be specific, not general [about values]... Choose one project, one initiative that speaks to you.”
  — Will Moore [04:48]

• “If someone's posted publicly on LinkedIn... that's your line—don't go further.”
  — Will Moore [06:47]

• “People who’ve prepared an answer to ‘Tell me about yourself’ just knock it out of the park.”
  — James Reed [08:15]

• “Be concise. You don’t have to talk about your family, but you can if you want.”
  — Will Moore [09:17]

• “STAR works well: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Keep that in mind and have some stories ready.”
  — James Reed [12:11]

• “Facts and figures feel less like bragging and more like reciting.”
  — Will Moore [12:47]

• “You don't want to make stuff up because that's dishonest, and you’ll likely get found out.”
  — James Reed [13:59]

• “If you haven't practiced saying your answers out loud, that's a problem.”
  — Will Moore [20:04]

• “The washing in the background is a big no-no—even for senior CFOs!”
  — Will Moore [21:31]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:59 – Will’s four-step preparation formula
• 03:55 – Signs of poor research in candidates
• 06:17 – Social media boundaries for interview preparation
• 07:06–09:17 – “Tell me about yourself” – Why prep matters
• 09:36 – The mechanics and example of the STAR method
• 12:47 – Balancing confidence and authenticity
• 15:35 – Best ways to talk about weaknesses
• 19:05 – Properly discussing a work challenge
• 20:04 – The value of mock interviewing and AI tools
• 21:31 – Virtual interview mistakes: tech, backgrounds
• 23:14 – Rapid-fire personal questions: what gets you up on Mondays?
• 24:08 – 5-year personal vision

Key Takeaways

• Deep research is essential, but stick to professional, public information.
• Structure answers with STAR—especially for competency-based questions.
• Authenticity beats exaggeration: use evidence, numbers, and real challenges (not just “humble brags”).
• Preparation isn’t complete without practice. Use mock interviews, friends, or even AI tools to get comfortable speaking your answers aloud.
• Virtual professionalism matters: check your background and technology for online interviews.
• Weaknesses should be acknowledged but positioned as growth opportunities. Employers don’t expect perfection.
• Growing into a role is natural; neither candidates nor companies benefit from complete 100% fit.

This episode stands out for its actionable strategies, candid anecdotes, and a no-nonsense look at the realities of job interviewing in 2026.