#ThirstyThursday Issue #234

The Assist Newsletter
May 6, 2026
A cartoon dog wearing sunglasses drives a yellow car packed with luggage under an umbrella. Bold text asks, “Why did the car bring a suitcase to work?”

Click the image for the punchline ☝️.

Today’s Checklist:

  • The AI interview hack that feels like cheating
  • The easy Claude question to fast-track your tool stack
  • The most underused leadership lever
  • The storytelling framework behind viral content

🌸 Don’t forget: Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 10. Still need a gift that doesn’t feel last-minute? Start here.

QUICK LINKS

💬 Turn employee feedback into action with tools designed to improve engagement.

💼 She re-entered the workforce 13 years later after raising her kids.

🌸 26 spring desk picks that’ll make you actually want to sit down and get to work (yes, really).

💰 Stealing all of these money resolutions for the rest of the year.

JOB SEARCHING

A woman speaks on camera with text that reads “AI interview hack that feels illegal to know.” A play button overlay indicates a video sharing job interview tips.

An Interview Hack That Feels Like Cheating

 

Takeaways:

  • Paste the job description into AI and ask “How should I prepare for this interview?” to get prompts and angles specific to the role you’re applying for.
  • Practice out loud with a mock interview loop. Say “Run a mock interview, ask me questions, then give feedback,” and refine answers like “Tell me about yourself” in real time.
  • Use feedback to tighten your positioning before the real interview. If AI flags an answer as too broad, sharpen it by aligning your example to the role’s specific level and responsibilities.

Learn the trick on IG.

QUICK WIN

Three Apple gift cards with different colorful Apple logos are displayed on a soft gradient background. The text “Apple Gift Card” appears above the cards.

Grad Gifts Are on Your To-Do List And You Haven’t Started

 

Graduation season has a way of creeping up between meetings, deadlines, and the 47 other things on your list. You know you need a gift. You know it should be good. You don’t have the bandwidth to research what a 22-year-old actually wants right now.

Apple Gift Card is the two-minute solve that doesn’t feel like a last resort:

  • Apps and games from the App Store
  • Music, movies, and shows on Apple TV
  • iCloud storage for everything they’re about to accumulate
  • Subscriptions like Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and even third-party subscriptions
  • Products and accessories too

Gift cards are available in digital and physical formats from $15 to $200.

👉 Visit Apple Gift Card and cross it off the list.

PRODUCTIVITY

A woman in a hoodie sits at a desk holding a microphone, with a Claude app logo overlay on screen. The scene suggests a tutorial or review related to Claude AI.

An Easy Question to Ask Claude

 

Takeaways:

  • Ask AI to recommend tools for your specific role. Try “I work in marketing, what Claude Cowork plugins should I install?” to get a curated list.
  • Install directly from the conversation to save time. When Claude suggests plugins, use the in-chat “Install” option so you don’t break your flow searching for them.
  • Use this as a shortcut to build your stack faster. Whether you’re in sales, HR, or operations, this one question gets you past the overwhelm and into the plugins that actually move work forward.

Watch the tutorial on IG.

LEADERSHIP

A circular infographic titled “12 Breakthrough Ways to Recognize Your Team” lists ideas like shout-outs, rewards, and thank-you notes. The center message emphasizes that appreciated people give more than expected.

The Most Underused Leadership Skill (It’s Free)

 

Takeaways:

  • Make appreciation visible and specific. Call out wins in real time: a team shout-out in Slack, or a quick “Great job on the proposal, that moved us forward.”
  • Reward effort in ways that actually land. Small actions like giving time back after a big push or surprising someone with their favorite coffee build loyalty without needing a big budget.
  • Build recognition into your operating system. Set a habit of daily thank-yous, regular one-on-ones, and birthday or goal celebrations so appreciation becomes routine.

Read more on Linkedin.

PERSONALIZED WELLNESS

A grayscale portrait of a woman appears beside text about perimenopause symptoms affecting daily life. The ad promotes personalized care from Midi Health.

Low Energy, Bad Sleep, Brain Fog? You’re Not Imagining It

 

Low energy, bad sleep, brain fog. None of it is in your head. Your body is navigating a complex hormonal shift that deserves specialized, science-backed attention.

Midi is changing how midlife care gets delivered:

  • Expert Clinicians: Specialists who focus exclusively on midlife health.
  • Personalized Care: Protocols built around your unique biology and symptoms.
  • Insurance-Covered Visits: Premium peri+menopause care that fits your life and your budget.

You deserve more than “fine.”

👉 Book your virtual visit today.

*Source: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics

CONTENT

A woman holds a “+1M” sign while surrounded by viral-style video clips with high view counts. A play button overlay suggests tips on growing social media or reaching one million views.

The Storytelling Beat Behind Every Viral Video You’ve Watched Twice

 

Takeaways:

  • Start with a struggle that people instantly recognize. Open with something like a breakup, financial stress, or insecurity to hook attention within the first few seconds.
  • Use pacing and structure to build anticipation. Add rising music and a clear time marker like “3 months later” to signal a transformation is coming and keep viewers watching.
  • Let visuals and text carry the story together. Use b-roll to create emotion and simple on-screen text people can read at a glance to keep viewers locked in.

Hear the framework on IG.

STAFF PICKS

Stuff We’re Loving This Week

 

📆 Free event with Scott Galloway on 6/4! Learn how to make organization-wide AI impact. RSVP today.

🍩 The DONUT brings you free daily news without the extra noise, all in under 5 minutes.

💬 No more switching tabs—this extension keeps ChatGPT right where you’re working.

💇 Hair oil that smooths everything with just one drop.

JUST FOR FUN

A close-up of a woman’s face appears under text that reads, “You ever wanna just…”. A play button overlay indicates a relatable or humorous video about work feelings.

COMMUNITY

📆 Upcoming Events

Smart Girl Society is our private community for women who want deeper conversations, accountability, and tools that actually make life easier. Join the waitlist to get in the next round.

💼 Browse our job board here.

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