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On this episode of the HigherEdJobs Podcast, co-hosts Andy Hibel and Kelly Cherwin continue a conversation with Gail Freeman, president and founder of Freeman Philanthropic Services, who has led more than 10,000 interviews. Freeman shared the “hidden rules” that can help job seekers stand out — especially on Zoom.
She started with the basics: “There are three things… being prepared by reading the position profile thoroughly, doing the research that’s necessary to have a better understanding,. and being clear about who they [the candidate] are as an individual.”
But Zoom has changed the interview process significantly. “With the Zoom interview, [candidates tend to] become very informal when they should remain formal,” Freeman said. She’s seen pets wander across the screen and candidates show up underdressed. Her reminder: “Even though you’re in your living room, you need to look professional.”
When it comes to candidate qualifications, Cherwin emphasized that resumes alone aren’t enough: “You have to be specific, you have to give examples, you have to prove that you are the right candidate [for this role].”
Freeman highlighted several other rules that often separate strong candidates from weak ones:
- Don’t lean on humor too early. “Humor is a very intimate interaction, and they’re not… Jay Leno.” Freeman cautioned that candidates sometimes try to break the ice with a joke before they’ve established any rapport. Humor can backfire if the tone is off, the interviewer doesn’t share the same sense of humor, or the moment feels inappropriate. Instead, she suggested saving humor for later in the process, once there’s a stronger connection and the candidate has already shown their professionalism and seriousness.
- Answer questions with purpose. When asked what prepares you for the role, avoid vague answers like “My resume lists everything I’ve done.” Instead, tie your response directly to the position profile.
- Ask meaningful questions. “I’ve had people ask, do you have parking passes?… Be reflective and think about what questions are meaningful to ask.” Freeman explained that questions about logistics can make you look unprepared or overly focused on details that don’t matter yet. As a previous HigherEdJobs article, The One Question That Higher Ed Interviewers Love to Hear points out, questions about hours, leave, or benefits are better saved for later in the process, possibly after an offer is made. Instead, thoughtful questions about culture, values, and growth opportunities show that you’re invested in the role and the people you’ll be working with.
- Follow up quickly. “Many candidates are released from the search because clients say to me, ‘I didn’t receive a thank you note within 24 hours.'”
- Narrow your applications. “Instead of applying to so many positions, focus. Focus is important to feeling better about oneself in the interview process.” Freeman encouraged candidates to resist scatter-applying and instead zero in on roles that truly align with their goals and skills. This echoes advice from another HigherEdJobs podcast recap, Dream Jobs: What They Are and How To Find Them, where guest Mac Pritchard urged job seekers to shift their mindset from “What jobs could I do?” to “What jobs do I really want to do?” Getting clarity around what excites you, what employers you admire, and what environments fit your life circumstances not only shortens the search but also helps you show up more authentically in interviews.
Looking at the interview from the employer’s side, Hibel offered a reminder about what hiring committees should focus on. “Instead of looking at why they left their last position… find some place where they had a long tenure and find out why they stayed. That’s what’s going to tell you more about who they are.”
The episode closed with a story about a candidate who flew out to meet an employer in person during the COVID-19 pandemic, paying their own way. “I thought that was extraordinary,” Freeman said. While not every candidate has the resources to take such a step, the larger takeaway is that demonstrating genuine investment in the role and the organization can set you apart.
The message is clear: when you show up prepared, treat all formats of interviews seriously, ask strategic questions, and follow through, you set yourself apart in the search process.
To hear more of the hidden rules of interviewing — from what not to ask in the moment to how small details like follow-up can make or break your candidacy — listen to the full episode below.
As always, the full transcript of every HigherEdJobs Podcast can be found by clicking on ‘transcript’ next to the episode’s show notes.
