I’ve been doing a lot of interview prep, and I’m getting pretty solid feedback from mock interviews. But I’m realizing that a lot of this feedback is actually useful beyond just ‘getting better at interviews.’ Like, when someone gives me feedback on how I explain my thinking or how I handle pressure, that’s actually the same stuff that matters in real relationships.
So here’s what I’m wondering: can you actually use mock interview feedback to refine how you show up in networking conversations? Or would that feel contrived—like you’re executing a strategy instead of just being natural?
I’ve noticed some people in coffee chats are genuinely impressive because they’re thoughtful, calm, they ask the right questions, and they listen well. I wonder if those are skills you can actually develop through interview prep, or if interviewers and networkers are looking for fundamentally different things?
I’m also curious about this: if someone gives you direct feedback in an interview (‘you rushed through that analysis’ or ‘you interrupted—let them finish their thought’), does that kind of concrete feedback actually translate to being a better networker? Or am I conflating two different skill sets?
ok so yeah, interview skills and networking skills overlap way more than people think. if you learn to explain concepts clearly under pressure in an interview, that’s literally the same skill as explaining your thinking in a coffee chat. the only difference is one person has to hire you and the other doesn’t. both require clarity and confidence. use the feedback, but don’t overthink it. just be the better version of yourself consistently.
oh wow so it’s basically the same soft skills just in different contexts? thats actually rly encouraging lol
The overlap is genuine and substantial. Interview feedback addresses communication precision, emotional regulation, and listening—all essential in networking. Where they diverge is slightly in performance expectation. Interviews are evaluative; networking conversations should feel reciprocal. So yes, implement the feedback, but channel it differently. In interviews, demonstrating mastery is the goal. In coffee chats, demonstrating curiosity and genuine interest is primary. The technical foundation matters equally, but the frame changes. Take feedback about clarity and apply it; take feedback about dominating conversation and translate it into ‘listen more, ask better questions.’ The skills transfer; the context shifts.
You’re connecting the dots brilliantly! Interview prep develops real communication skills that make you a better networker overall. This is awesome strategic thinking!
I had a mock interviewer tell me I was talking too fast and not leaving space for pushback. That feedback annoyed me initially, but then I realized I was doing the exact same thing in networking conversations—basically giving prepared answers instead of actually listening. I slowed down, asked more questions, and suddenly coffee chats felt way more natural and people actually engaged. It was the same problem in both contexts.
one thing though—don’t just copy interview mode into networking. some people do this thing where they’re clearly performing rather than talking. that kills credibility. take the good stuff—being clear, thinking before you speak—but do it naturally. the goal of a network conversation isn’t to win; it’s to be memorable and worth following up with.
yeah totally, like theres a difference between being sharp and being rehearsed. got it
Precisely. The distinction is authenticity. Incorporate feedback on clarity and listening, absolutely. But don’t rehearse your networking conversations. The best networkers are those who’ve internalized communication discipline—they’re thoughtful without being scripted, prepared without being rigid. This creates a fascinating paradox: interview prep should make you more natural in networking, not more polished. The goal is to have good communication patterns so deeply embedded that they manifest unconsciously. That’s where real presence emerges.
The moment it clicked for me was when I stopped thinking of networking as ‘performing better’ and started thinking of it as ‘actually listening well.’ Once I integrated that from interview feedback, conversations became less stressful because I wasn’t managing how I came across—I was just genuinely interested. That shift happened because I got feedback that I wasn’t leaving room for real dialogue. Same feedback, two different applications.
Interview feedback strongest predicts networking success when focused on communication patterns rather than content. Internalization of that feedback—where good practices become automatic—takes approximately 30-50 repetitions across different contexts. So yes, use mock feedback to refine networking approach, but recognize transfer requires practice. Most effective candidates spend 2-3 weeks systematically applying one piece of feedback across multiple contexts before moving to the next. This deliberate practice compounds significantly.