Books and Resources to Start Strong
Building a credible interview coaching business requires understanding both the hiring process and how to teach others to navigate it effectively. These books give you the foundation to coach with authority and help clients land offers.
Cracking the Coding Interview by Gayle Laakmann McDowell
While focused on tech interviews, this book teaches the frameworks behind behavioral and technical questioning that apply across industries. You’ll learn how interviewers think, what they’re evaluating, and how to coach clients to show their best problem-solving approach. Understanding the interviewer’s perspective is essential to coaching others.
Shop Cracking the Coding Interview on Amazon →
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
This negotiation book teaches active listening and tactical empathy—skills that directly translate to helping clients understand what hiring managers actually care about. You’ll learn techniques to uncover hidden concerns and communicate with confidence, which you can teach your clients during salary negotiation coaching.
Shop Never Split the Difference on Amazon →
Steal the Show by Michael Port
Interview performance is about presence and authenticity under pressure. This book teaches how to prepare for high-stakes moments, manage nervousness, and deliver your message with confidence. It’s practical coaching material you can adapt directly for client sessions.
Shop Steal the Show on Amazon →
The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
This short, practical book teaches coaching methodology—how to ask powerful questions, listen actively, and help clients find their own answers rather than just giving advice. It’s the coaching framework that separates effective coaches from people just giving tips.
Shop The Coaching Habit on Amazon →
Equipment You Need
Interview coaching can be run lean, but you need reliable video conferencing tools, audio quality, and a professional appearance. Most clients will expect to practice on video because that’s how many interviews happen now. Here’s what actually matters for delivering results.
Computer and Internet
- Laptop or desktop: Any computer with a modern processor (built in the last 5 years) handles video calls without lag. You need reliable performance for back-to-back sessions, so avoid older machines that might freeze during client calls.
- Broadband internet: Minimum 10 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload. Test your connection before your first session. If you’re unreliable, you lose credibility immediately.
Audio and Microphone
- External microphone: Built-in laptop mics pick up background noise and make you sound unprofessional. A USB condenser or cardioid microphone ($40–$100) is non-negotiable for coaching.
- Headphones: Use them so clients hear only you, not their own audio echoing back, and so you can hear them clearly during practice interviews.
Shop USB condenser microphones on Amazon →
Camera and Lighting
- Webcam: Most built-in laptop cameras are acceptable. If upgrading, get a 1080p USB camera for crisp video. Clients notice if you look blurry or pixelated.
- Lighting: Natural window light is best. If you coach in the evening, a simple LED ring light ($25–$50) or two desk lamps positioned to the side of your monitor eliminate shadows and make you look polished.
Shop LED ring lights on Amazon →
Video Conferencing and Recording
- Zoom account: The standard for professional coaching. A paid Pro account ($15.99/month) allows unlimited one-on-one sessions and lets you record practice interviews for client review.
- Screen sharing tools: Zoom handles this, but you may also want to share documents. Google Drive or Dropbox work fine for resume and materials sharing.
Office Setup
- Desk and chair: You’ll be sitting for 6–8 hours per day if you’re coaching full-time. Invest in a decent ergonomic chair ($150–$300) now rather than dealing with back pain later.
- Backdrop or clean wall: Clients judge professionalism partly on your environment. A plain wall, bookshelf, or simple backdrop is fine. Avoid clutter, pets, or distractions in the camera frame.
- Desk lamp: Functional lighting so your face is visible, not backlit.
Client Materials and Templates
- Interview question bank: Build or purchase a database of common questions organized by role and industry. Google Sheets or Notion work well for organizing these.
- Feedback templates: Create a rubric to evaluate client performance consistently across sessions (clarity, confidence, storytelling, handling difficult questions, etc.).
- Resume and LinkedIn review tools: You may provide feedback on resumes; a shared document tool is sufficient here.
What to Buy First vs Later
Start with the essentials only. Many new coaches over-invest in equipment before they have enough clients to justify the expense.
- First: External microphone, headphones, Zoom Pro account. These directly affect how clients experience your coaching.
- First: Basic lighting if you coach in dim conditions. A client can’t learn if they can’t see you.
- First: Ergo chair if you’ll coach 20+ hours per week. Physical comfort affects your performance.
- Later: High-end camera or second monitor (nice to have, not essential).
- Later: Backdrop stand, professional lighting kit, or branded materials (wait until you’re consistently booked).
- Later: Specialized software—most coaches use Zoom, Google Drive, and email. Resist the urge to buy fancy CRM or course platform software until you have 20+ active clients.
New vs Used Equipment
Buy new on anything audio or video-related. Used microphones, cameras, and headphones carry unknown histories—they may be damaged, have poor specs, or fail quickly. For $40–$100, a new USB mic is cheap insurance that it works reliably for years.
For furniture, used is fine. Many businesses sell off desks and office chairs in bulk. Check Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local office furniture liquidators. A used chair that’s structurally sound costs half the new price. Test it first and inspect for damage. Your back will appreciate any comfortable seat, new or slightly used.
For computers: if you already have a working laptop or desktop, use it. Don’t upgrade just because it’s a few years old. Only buy new or refurbished if your current machine lags on video calls or struggles with multiple browser tabs open.
Where to Buy
- Amazon: Fast shipping, good return policy, and pricing is competitive for most audio and tech gear.
- B&H Photo: Professional lighting, cameras, and microphones. Often cheaper than Amazon for video equipment, with fast shipping.
- Sweetwater: Excellent customer service for audio equipment (microphones, headphones). Free shipping over $49.
- Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist: Used furniture and office equipment. No shipping cost if you pick up locally.
- Office furniture retailers: Staples, IKEA, or local suppliers for desks and chairs. Compare prices; IKEA is usually cheapest.
- Zoom.us: Buy your Pro subscription directly from Zoom.