Job interviews can make even confident people feel awkward. Suddenly, you are expected to talk about yourself in a polished, impressive way, all while trying not to sound like you are bragging. It is uncomfortable or can give you the ick (as the kids say), and if you are nervous, it can feel even worse.
But there’s a simple mindset shift that can help!
When an interviewer asks a question that feels like self-promotion, imagine your best friend is sitting next to you. Instead of talking about yourself the way you think you should, talk about yourself the way your best friend would brag about you. It should obviously still be in first person, but that small shift can make a big difference.
Why This Works When You Are Nervous
Most people struggle to hype themselves up, but they have no trouble doing it for someone they care about. Your best friend sees your strengths clearly. They remember the times you showed up, solved a problem, helped someone out, or stayed calm under pressure.
Thinking from that perspective helps you answer with more confidence and less self-doubt. It also keeps your response grounded and authentic instead of overly rehearsed.
One interview question that makes this especially easy is:
“In one word, how would your best friend describe you?”
This question is not a trap. It is an invitation to step outside your own head and speak more naturally.
Let Your Best Friend Be Your Hype Squad
If you freeze up when asked about your strengths, pause and picture your best friend describing you to someone else. What would they say if they were trying to convince a hiring manager to bring you onto the team?
Would they say you are loyal because you never quit on people or projects?
Honest because you tell the truth even when it is uncomfortable?
Supportive because you are the person others go to when they need help?
Reliable because you always follow through?
Fun because you bring positive energy into the room?
Those answers count. They are not fluff. They say a lot about how you show up at work and how you work with others.
Turn Bragging Into Storytelling
If you want to take your answer one step further, add a short example. This keeps your response from sounding vague and helps the interviewer see you in action.
For example, instead of stopping at “reliable,” you might say:
“My best friend would probably say I’m reliable. I’m usually the person people call when something needs to get done quickly, whether it’s staying late to finish a project or stepping in when a teammate needs help.”
That does not feel like bragging. It feels like telling the truth through someone else’s eyes.
Confidence Does Not Have to Feel Forced
You do not need to oversell yourself to make a good impression. Interviewers are not looking for perfection. They are looking for self-awareness, honesty, and a sense of who you are as a teammate.
When nerves creep in, remember this: you already know how to talk positively about yourself. You do it all the time for the people you care about.
So if your mind goes blank in an interview, let your best friend take the mic. Talk about yourself, the way they would.