This article is created by Girlboss and Entreprenista.
You landed the job interview. Now what?
You optimized your resume, researched the company, and prepped for the inevitable interview questions about your greatest strengths and growth areas. You did everything you’re supposed to do. Now, you need to wow the hiring manager so you can stand out and land the job.
When several candidates all look good on paper, what makes someone stand out in an interview?
We asked women founders in the Entreprenista League community what they notice when interviewing candidates and deciding who to bring on board with their own companies.
Experience and skills matter, of course. But they're not the only things founders are looking for.
The biggest thing our founders revealed:
Knowing how to find the answer is just as valuable as having a perfect one.
Every new job has a learning curve. Projects will change scope, technology will glitch, and you’ll be asked to do something you’ve never done before. Founders don’t expect you to have all the answers. They want to know how you’ll handle the unexpected.
Do you panic? Wait for someone else to fix it? Or do you take a deep breath and navigate the situation until you find a solution?
The expectation isn’t that you have to figure it out alone. Resourcefulness and asking the right questions are an important part of navigating any role.
"I want someone who hits a wall and finds three ways around it before they bring it to me, not someone who just brings me the wall." — Passion Chu, Jarvis
“I look for people who are smart, resourceful, and can think beyond the task directly in front of them.” — KJ Blattenbauer, Hearsay PR
In your next interview: Have a response ready about something that didn't go exactly to plan. What happened, what did you do, and what did you learn?
No stress if you don’t have an example of saving a top company in one heroic act. A thoughtful example from school, an internship, or any previous job can demonstrate how you think.
Experience and curiosity are both strengths
When you’re early in your career, it can feel tough to compete with candidates who have years of experience. And polishing your resume isn’t the only way to show your potential. Founders want to know whether someone can adapt, learn, and remain resilient in the midst of challenges.
“People who can learn and are kind are my people. I'm not necessarily interested in having the ‘expert’ on my team, but in having someone who does great work, consistently, and is willing to continue growing.” — Samantha Moonsammy, Lucky Book Publishing
“When I'm hiring, I look for someone who has a genuine interest in learning. The kind of person who devours books, podcasts, and other personal/professional development content for fun, because that's someone who's willing to learn and has a high likelihood of adapting a skill.” — Lisa Simone Richards, Pearl Spark Pages
In your next interview: Share more than what you know, offer up something that you recently learned, and how you’re applying your new knowledge.
Showing a genuine love of learning and a willingness to adapt can help you stand out, regardless of where you are in your career.
Good communication means listening, too
Scan almost any job posting, and you’ll see a requirement for strong communication skills.
But what does that mean exactly? Founders want communication that goes beyond public speaking or being charismatic.
Communication is as much about speaking as it is about listening. It means asking thoughtful questions, implementing feedback appropriately, and distributing information clearly.
“I pay attention to whether someone can own a mistake, receive feedback without becoming defensive, apply it, and keep moving forward. I also value people who listen carefully, ask good questions, and can understand the bigger picture and not just the task in front of them just to check a box.” — Constance Woo, The Tax Renegade, Inc.
In your next interview: Think about a time when you received feedback to help you improve, how you resolved a problem, or messed something up and addressed it.
These are all specific examples of strong communication skills that make a bigger impact than simply telling an interviewer you’re a good communicator.
It’s how you show up
Anyone can walk into an interview and yap about how they are a team player with strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills who loves to take initiative.
The founders we spoke with said some of the most important skills they look for when hiring aren’t always on a resume. Today’s sought-after skills show up in how you make decisions and how you treat your teammates around you.
“I look for people who bring self-awareness, curiosity, integrity, and a genuine commitment to growth. The qualities that stand out most are emotional intelligence, the ability to listen deeply, independent thinking, and a willingness to take initiative while contributing collaboratively. How someone shows up, relates to others, and aligns with our values shapes everything we create together.” — Susan Taylor, TayloredWisdom LLC
“Integrity is the biggest thing I look for when hiring. Technical skills can be taught, but it is much harder to teach someone to be honest, accountable, and genuinely care about the quality of their work.” — Constance Woo, The Tax Renegade, Inc
“Emotional intelligence comes first. I need someone who can read a room, sense what a client or colleague is actually asking for, and adjust without being told. Judgment is close behind because I can teach the mechanics of color analysis or how to build a personal brand blueprint, but I cannot teach someone how to make a good call when the situation is ambiguous, and the stakes are high. Third is a can-do attitude, within reason. I want people who move things forward rather than wait for perfect instructions, but I also want them to tell me when something is a bad idea or when they are stretched too thin.” — Joy Errico, Maven Row
In your next interview: Do more than just say you’re dependable, self-aware, and emotionally intelligent. Come prepared with an example or two to highlight your soft skills.
Remember, revealing what you’ve learned from a real work situation is a strong interview answer, so don’t be afraid to offer up an example of how you’ve grown.
Let your potential speak for itself
Founders value qualities and skills that don’t fit neatly into a job description. While your resume and interview answers matter, the best hires and strongest candidates show curiosity, resourcefulness, emotional intelligence, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
You can highlight these attributes in the hiring process, no matter what stage you are at in your career.
Your resume tells them where you’ve been. The interview shows them where you can go and the value you offer.
Don’t get hung up on a perfect answer for every question. The goal is to show the person on the other side of the interview table a clear picture of how you think, approach challenges, and contribute to the team.
Want to connect with more women founders? Explore the Entreprenista League, a community offering access to like-minded entrepreneurs, exclusive events, founder resources, and opportunities to grow your network.
