I’m that guy (@christopherming on LinkedIn) that you probably saw writing about using AI to land your next job.

Today we’re talking about how to prepare for interviews so you own that (Zoom) room from the moment they ask: “Tell me about yourself.”

Who am I? I’m Chris Ming. I live in Philly with my wife and 3 kids. I’ve work(ed) for companies like Clay, The Rundown, Noom, Reforge, Ramit Sethi, and also in Hollywood.

I help people land remote jobs.

Let’s dive in.

My clients hate when I tell them to do this.

“Great answer. Now send me a Loom video of you practicing it.”

I make them do it anyway.

The groans are immediate.

• “Do I have to watch myself?”

• “This feels awkward.”

• “My voice sounds so weird.”

(Regarding the last one… turns out this phenomenon is because our brain processes both the sound of our voice and the vibrations in our skull, AKA via bone conduction. This gives the voice in our head a deeper, richer quality than what others hear. Wild!)

Here’s why I make every client do this anyway:

Practicing outloud will 10x how well you perform in interviews, even if you only do it a few times.

But not everyone has a coach who’s going to push them and give them feedback.

That’s OK. Thanks to AI, you can get this 10x multiplier faster and easier than ever before.

Here’s what you’ll learn today:

• The 3-level practice system that makes you sound natural

• How to use AI tools as your personal interview coach

• The HAIR framework for structuring compelling answers

• Specific prompts and tools to get better feedback

…and more!

🪵 Why Do We Come Off So Stiff And Unnatural In Interviews?

Because having a framework is one thing:

• STAR

• HAIR

• High-low-high

And delivering a great answer—naturally— is another.

This still happens to me, too.

When I write out my answers, I use big words that I basically never use in-person. Words like fungible, or ephemeral.

Mid-career professionals especially struggle with this. Years of workplace communication habits have brainwashed us with corporate speak. We try so hard to impress that we forget to be human.

Look, you don’t have to “age-down” your speech. I don’t recommend going into an interview and shouting:

“Yaaaasss queeeen 👸”.

(Though if you did this, I’d pay good money to watch it. So let me know.)

But… you should practice speaking your answers aloud to hear how you sound in real life.

Then, you can rewrite it for clarity, as many times as needed, until it becomes something you can deliver naturally, without rehearsal.

🗣️ The 3-Step Practice System That Actually Works

I recommend three different approaches for my clients. You can use any one standalone, or stack them together for even better results.

Each one gets a bit more complex in terms of tech setup, but also gives you higher-fidelity feedback on how to improve your interviewing.

Pick whichever approach feels most comfortable to you. Even using just one method will dramatically improve your interview performance and the outcomes you get.

Here’s what works:

🔈Step 1: Voice Memo

Record yourself on your phone and play it back.

This is the most low-tech method. All you need is the free Voice Memo app on your phone.

This is probably what I use the most. Because I can record then listen to myself while walking the dog, doing dishes, etc.

The main thing you are listening for:

Whether it sounds conversational or scripted.

You’ll also notice your energy and filler words, but that will get improved as you practice. For the most part, focus on getting to how you NORMALLY TALK.

What to listen for specifically:

• Are you using the same tone you’d use with a colleague at work?

• Do you sound like you’re reading from a script or having a natural conversation?

• Are you speaking too fast (nervous energy) or too slow (over-rehearsed)?

• How many “ums,” “uhs,” and “likes” are you using?

Pro tip: Don’t try to eliminate every filler word. A few actually make you sound more natural. You just don’t want them every other word.

Make edits based on what sounds natural, then record again.

Do this 3-4 times and you’ll notice a difference in how natural you sound.

📺 Step 2: Loom Video

Record a video of yourself answering a few common questions.

Watch for:

• Body language and eye contact

• Confidence vs. nervousness

• Energy level

Here, you’re not just listening to what you say.

Watch your body language, facial expressions, AND listen for filler words. Make note of any repetitive gestures, lack of eye contact, or rushed speech.

For example, one bad habit that I noticed is I often break away from the video camera and stare off into space when I’m speaking.

Which is totally fine on a regular Zoom call, but during an interview, you want to maintain eye contact.

Here’s the other biggie:

Watch your energy levels. Does your energy match what you’re saying? If you’re talking about being excited about a role, do you actually look excited?

There’s usually a BIG mismatch in the energy we think we are conveying and what we see on the screen. Recording yourself on Loom will help correct that for you, fast.

🤖 Step 3: Interview With AI

The tools available to you now are insane.

You can use ChatGPT with voice to practice, or turn on ChatGPT’s study mode for more specific practice. There’s also Poised AI interview software that you can leave running for all your video calls.

Let’s dig more into using ChatGPT’s study mode, since most people still have no idea what this is:

Study mode was designed for learning complex topics step by step. Instead of giving you quick answers, it guides you through the thinking process. Perfect for interview prep.

It helps you:

• Think better

• Prep smarter

• And build confidence

ChatGPT is walking through improvements instead of just telling you what’s wrong.

Here’s how to use it as a mock interviewer. It can ask follow-up questions, push you to clarify weak parts of your story, and help you rewrite your answer after giving you a score or reflection.

✍️ Use this prompt

“Here’s my answer to ‘Tell me about a time you handled a conflict.’ Can you walk me through where this answer could fall flat, and help me improve it step by step?”

When using study mode for interview feedback, get specific with your prompts.

Instead of generic requests, try:

• Identify where my answer lacks confidence

• Point out any distracting habits

• Suggest how to make this response more concise

• Does this answer position me as the solution to their problems?

• What parts of this answer would make a hiring manager want to dig deeper?

For every practice session, use this checklist:

✅ Did I answer the question directly?

✅ Did I use a clear structure?

✅ Were my examples quantifiable?

✅ Was my delivery engaging?

✅ Did I sound like someone they’d want to work with?

And one more bonus workflow that combines everything:

👉 Record your answer, get it transcribed, then paste the transcript into Claude with this prompt:

“This is a transcript of my interview answer. Identify any areas where I sound uncertain, use too many filler words, or don’t clearly connect my experience to the role. Suggest specific improvements.”

This gives you both delivery feedback (from watching yourself) and content feedback (from AI analysis).

🎬 Your 4-Step Practice Plan

Step 1: Pick Your Target

• Choose one upcoming interview or dream company to prepare for.

Step 2: Draft Your Response

Use the HAIR framework for your 90-second pitch:

• Hook: What excites you about this specific company?

• Alignment: What experience makes you relevant?

• Impact: What results have you driven?

• Reason: Why does this work matter to you personally?

Step 3: AI Company Research

• Use Perplexity to research the latest company news

• Use ChatGPT 5 to compile company and industry insights

• Use Claude to refine your response with company-specific details

Step 4: Practice (with AI)

• Start with voice memos

• Progress to video

• Use ChatGPT Study Mode with voice to practice and get feedabck

Practicing alone is valuable, but once you have access to a peer or coach, up the game:

💫 The Bottom Line

There’s a massive difference between “knowing the framework” and having a practiced interview answer.

It’s never been easier to get invaluable feedback when practicing alone. Take advantage.

And if you do have a friend or peer who can help, do it:

• Ask for brutal honesty

• Get specific examples of weak spots

• Simulate real interview pressure by timing your answers and requesting follow-ups or curveball questions

And turn those interviews into offers.