Interview Coaching

Professional and Leadership Roles
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Interview coaching for senior and leadership roles 

If you’re an experienced professional or leader who keeps reaching interview stage, but not securing the role,  interview coaching can make a decisive difference.

I specialise in one-to-one interview coaching for senior and leadership candidates, helping you communicate your value clearly, confidently and at the right strategic level for the role you’re targeting.

Many of my clients are already successful in their current role. Some are recommended to apply. Others are stepping up into more senior or strategic positions. What they have in common is this: interviewing has started to feel harder than it should.

Who I work with

I work primarily with experienced professionals and leaders preparing for senior and leadership roles,  particularly where interviews feel unexpectedly difficult despite strong track records and internal success.

Alongside this core work, I also support experienced professionals in mid-career roles — including lawyers, accountants, consultants, project managers and specialists, who are preparing for promotion, broader responsibility or a move into more senior roles.

I also offer dedicated interview coaching for apprentices, graduates and medical students through structured programmes. Full details are available on the relevant pages.

A common challenge at senior level

A pattern I see often is this:

You’ve built a strong track record over many years. You’re confident doing the job. But interviews don’t reflect that confidence. Answers feel over-prepared or rigid. You leave knowing you didn’t quite show your impact, or your judgement, in the way you intended.

This can happen for several reasons:

  • you haven’t interviewed externally for a long time

  • you’re operating at senior level but interviewing at the wrong altitude

  • you’re describing experience rather than demonstrating leadership judgement

  • confidence has been knocked after repeated rejections and you may be experiencing interview anxiety

  • imposter syndrome following a difficult profesional experience

Interview coaching focuses on identifying exactly what’s happening, and correcting the right things, rather than guessing.

What interview coaching with me involves

All coaching is one-to-one and bespoke.

We typically work on:

  • clarifying what the interview panel is really assessing

  • shaping examples that demonstrate leadership judgement, not just experience

  • improving structure, clarity and strategic focus

  • developing flexibility so you can respond confidently to probing questions

  • reducing over-preparation and restoring natural authority

  • building presence, gravitas and confidence — including for online interviews

Most senior clients book two to three sessions, though this depends on role level, interview format and timeframe.

Interview formats I support

I coach across all common interview formats, including:

  • competency and behaviour-based interviews

  • value-based interviews (commonly used in the NHS)

  • strength-based interviews (used in the Civil Service under Success Profiles)

  • panel and stakeholder interviews

  • executive and leadership panels

  • presentations and assessment tasks

  • video and online interviews

Most organisations now use a blended assessment approach, and coaching prepares you to perform consistently across every stage.

Why candidates have interview coaching

Clients often contact me because they:

  • feel out of practice with interviews

  • have an important interview coming up

  • are frustrated by repeated near-misses

  • have lost confidence after rejection

  • are stepping up into a more senior role

  • need to articulate transferable leadership experience

  • want to perform with more confidence and credibility under pressure

Coaching gives you clarity, focus and confidence,  so you stop second-guessing and start performing at your true level.

Experience you can rely on

I’ve been coaching candidates for interviews for over a decade, supporting clients across the private and public sectors, including senior roles in regulated, complex and high-stakes environments.

Much of my work comes through recommendation, and I’ve received hundreds of client reviews from candidates who’ve gone on to secure roles and promotions.

Request a consultation

Interview coaching is personal, and it isn’t right for everyone. I work with committed candidates at all career stages, from early career through to professionals and senior leaders who are preparing for competitive interviews. The first step is to complete the consultation form outlining your application or interview needs and deadline. Please attach your CV and job specification. I will review your information carefully. If I can help, I will send you a link to book a consultation so we can explore your situation and arrange focused one-to-one coaching.

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Anthony on August 09, 2025 at 13:05 pm

Elizabeth is truly exceptional. I reached out to her after being told by an interviewer that “interviewing was obviously not my thing”—hardly encouraging feedback, especially at my stage in life. Her training helped me understand my communication style, demystified the interview process, and equipped me with practical tools I could apply immediately. She made herself available at very short notice, even over a weekend, and helped me secure a role that was a significant step up. Worth every penny. I only wish I’d done this sooner—I mourn the opportunities lost by not having had her guidance earlier. Thank you, Elizabeth!

Samuel on July 13, 2025 at 21:26 pm

I had just turned fifty years old and was at a very difficult stage in finding a new career. I had not applied for a job, sat an aptitude test or had an interview in almost twenty years. Elizabeth was highly professional and guided me through the obstacles I was likely to face which encouraged me to prepare just that bit harder for each stage of the selection process. Having come 9th out of approximately 1,500 candidates in the aptitude tests, the final hurdle was the interview. I had two sessions with Elizabeth. The first was where she acted as my interviewer and then constructively examined my responses at the end . The second was similar, though now my responses were tailored to her advice from the first session and further refined. The actual interview for the job went so well, I began to suspect it had gone too well as towards the end, the interviewers almost stepped out of character and began making small talk about how I would find the day-to-day pros and cons of working for the organisation, however Elizabeth had cautioned me to remain professional, polite and keep to my brief. In total, fifteen people were successful out of the 1,500 and thanks to Elizabeth, I was one of them. I highly recommend her services and professionalism which are beyond reproach. Above all, if you make the effort and follow her advice, you will be confident before and during the interview which combined with answering the questions competently, will give you a high chance of success. Thank you again, Elizabeth.

Chloe on February 18, 2025 at 11:36 am

Hi Elizabeth, I just wanted to let you know that my interview took place yesterday and today I was offered the role! According to my new G6, the panel agreed that I ‘knocked it out the park’ in the interview, and I beat nine other interviewees to the position. A huge thank you for your coaching, advice and encouragement. Without it, I can categorically say I wouldn’t have been offered the role. I’ll be back in a few years’ time, when I’m looking for my next role!

Fabiula Rifiski on October 16, 2024 at 09:16 am

Elizabeth is truly amazing. She has not only helped me stand tall but also completely transformed how I approach interviews and view my skill set. As an interview coach, she goes beyond the basics of preparing for a role. She helps you tailor your skills to fit the specific roles you’re applying for, but more importantly, she opens your eyes to what you’re truly capable of. Sometimes we underestimate our natural abilities because they come easily to us, but Elizabeth shows you how to express these in a way that highlights their full value. She helps you see beyond tasks and focus on the big picture - especially on soft skills, which are crucial in today’s job market. When I first worked with Elizabeth, I received offers from three major companies immediately after our sessions, and I was able to choose the role that was the perfect fit for me. When I later went through a career change, she helped me again, and I successfully landed the job I was aiming for. I highly recommend Elizabeth. Her insights and guidance are invaluable!

Emily Stroud on September 24, 2024 at 11:06 am

Coaching with Claire Hodgson was the best decision I made to kick start my career. Warm and approachable and also punchy, she challenged me to improve much more than I believed I was capable of, and then built up my confidence to perform optimally at interview. I know I would not have got my dream job in the Civil Service without her help. She’s a great coach, so do not waste another second thinking about hiring her. Do it. If you want the job, she is the key to get you through the door.

Jon on September 04, 2024 at 11:40 am

I highly recommend Elizabeth and the interview skills clinic. Elizabeth helped me prepare for an interview for a Civil Service Grade 6 role and the three sessions gave me the confidence and skills needed to get the job. As someone who has struggled with interviews in the past I now have the skills to confidently tackle senior Civil Service interviews for the years to come. Elizabeth has a complete understanding the civil service behaviours and interview format so it felt like getting insider knowledge which proved to be essential. Thanks again to Elizabeth and the team.

Ivana on March 25, 2024 at 08:43 am

Elizabeth is an outstanding interview coach whom I highly recommend. Her sessions helped me overcome insecurities as a non-native speaker working in higher education, boosting my confidence and highlighting my skills and abilities. Elizabeth’s calm and kind attitude helped me to stay grounded, but also guided me back to my strengths when I felt lost during the interview, ultimately leading to the attainment of my dream job. I am immensely grateful for her support and look forward to future collaborations.

Sonal on February 22, 2024 at 13:04 pm

Elizabeth is a very supportive coach. I was applying for a Business Analyst role and within an hour of a second interview I was called back by the company to let me know that they really liked me and offered me the job. I thought I knew how to use the STAR approach before but Elizabeth has a unique interpretation of it and I was complimented on my response. What really helped me was the way she broke the STAR up for me in a way which was relevant to the role and sector I was going for. My interview felt much more like a conversation. I learnt a lot and feel so much more confident in interviews

Aashna on February 20, 2024 at 12:50 pm

After five years abroad,I decided to re enter the London job market. Having used Elizabeth's services before, I did not hesitate to contact her again. With her guidance and support I was successful in getting offers from multiple companies. Elizabeth is sincere and cares about her clients and their job satisfaction beyond the remit of her role as an interview coach, her many years of experience give her a discerning eye and she can predict in a very short space of time what her clients need and how to get them from A to B. I would recommend her wholeheartedly. She also goes out of her way to make time for her clients and is very punctual and organised.

Alexia on February 11, 2024 at 16:38 pm

Interview coaching with Matt was exactly what I needed. My skills were rusty and I'd lost confidence. I really liked Matt's direct but supportive approach. I was out of my comfort zone during the sessions (which was good!) but through practice my confidence grew and learning took place. I now have an excellent structure to work with for future interviews. I'm very grateful for Matt's help. Thank you.

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