Top 10 Tips for a Job Interview

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Job interviews can be nerve-wracking. You may feel like you are put on the spot, tested, and  worry that the interviewer will try to trip you up. But they don’t have to be. 

Knowing what to expect and taking a considered approach can leave you in an advantageous position and help you get ahead of the competition. You’ve taken the time to write an effective resume; now you need to focus on the next stage.

Below, we will consider 10 expert job interview tips to help you nail your next job interview.

1) Research the Company Beyond Their Website

Job interview preparation is essential. Doing your homework to learn more about the employer is the foundation for a successful interview.

An understanding of the employer, what they’re looking for, values, missions, and the company culture will not only help you to predict the interview questions they’re going to ask but will give a clearer indication of the answers that they want to hear.

“What do you know about the company?” is a typical first job interview question, and you should be ready for it. If you don’t have a thorough answer, it may make you seem uninterested in the job. It gives the impression that you haven’t taken the job interview seriously.

You can find a wealth of information about most companies online.  Read articles about them, watch YouTube videos about the company made by third parties, or videos of the company’s executives. 

Look at their social media profiles, especially on LinkedIn. Ask yourself, “What message are they trying to put forth? What are they posting and tweeting? Can my experience be relevant to one of their current initiatives?”

Pay special attention to insights into the company culture. Are they known for promoting on-site employee engagement, health, or teambuilding? Is a large portion of the team remote? What values do their Mission or Vision Statements reveal? How do these align with your personal values?

2) Prepare for Common and Role-Specific Interview Questions

Another way to prepare is to write a list of job interview questions and answers.

Expect the regular queries, such as “Tell me about yourself,” or “Why do you want to work here?” Be ready to explain any gaps in your resume and the reasons why you left past positions. Look through the job requirements and think of concrete examples that you can give to highlight these skills.

An easy way of doing this is to match the key skills in the job description to your experience.

Prepare examples of how you’ve added value using the STAR format: 

• Situation
• Task
• Action
• Result

Ask yourself: What were your most notable results? How are they relevant to the job you’re interviewing for? Do you have examples of challenging situations you’ve overcome, dealing with conflict, working under pressure, or managing important projects?

Spend some time thinking about your past experiences and jot down some notes so you’ll have the answers ready.

3) Choose an Interview Outfit that Matches the Company Culture

What should you wear for a job interview?

Plan an outfit that fits the culture of the organization and shows that you’re professional. In fact, according to the Journal of Business Ethics, coworkers and management may judge your ethicality on whether or not you choose professional attire.

Slacks and button-down shirts are usually a safe go-to for both men and women. Make sure your clothing is clean, your hair is tidy, and you don’t overdo it with jewelry or accessories.

Where can you learn about the company’s clothing culture? Check for any employees’ photos on their LinkedIn or Facebook pages to discover what the dress code is, or simply ask your recruiter. 

Whatever you choose, it’s essential to appear clean and smart. This is true even if you’re interviewing online by video conference.

4) Plan Your Arrival or Tech Setup

Punctuality–arriving on time–is an essential soft skill, and it will also help you feel calm and in control. Arriving or being prepared early will help to achieve both of these goals. However, don’t arrive more than a few minutes early – arriving an hour before your interview time, for example, might put your interviewer under pressure.

How can you make sure you arrive on time? Don’t wait until the last minute to choose an outfit, print your professional resume, arrange transportation, or find a pen and notepad. Do all of these things well in advance and give yourself ample time to get to the interview.

Timing and logistics also matter for virtual interviews. In addition to the above, set up your webcam, test your microphone, and make sure your videoconferencing software is up to date well before your start time. 

Log in at least a few minutes before your scheduled time. While in the virtual waiting room, sit up straight, don’t do anything embarrassing or distracting, and keep an eye on your screen–the virtual meeting could begin quite suddenly.

5) Make a Powerful First Impression

Giving a positive first impression is crucial. We’ve already discussed being on time and well-dressed, but body language and greetings are also important.

Be warm and polite to everyone you meet. Give a firm handshake when greeting the interviewer and remember to make eye contact. Don’t forget to smile.

If you’re on Zoom or a similar application, remember to sit up straight and look into the camera.

Try not to smoke or eat right before the interview, and bring a chewing gum if necessary to refresh your breath.

Throughout the interview, demonstrate an enthusiastic, positive attitude.

6) Stay Calm and Confident

During the interview itself, the quality of your answers and the delivery are key. 

Job interviews can be stressful, but careful preparation will give you confidence and help you deal with the stress in positive ways.

Your answers should be concise and focused. Showcase your skills and experience which fit with the job and the employer. As we mentioned before, you can provide examples of your achievements using STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result), but try not to give long-winded answers. 

Focus on the outcomes and what led to them rather than telling lengthy stories. If details aren’t relevant to the position or your achievement, leave them out.

Stay positive. Don’t speak negatively about past positions or ex-colleagues. The interview is about you, and doing so could put you in a negative light.

7) Showcase Your Achievements

To land the job, you must demonstrate why you are the ideal candidate for the job and the organization.

To do this, you’ll need to sell the interviewer on your strengths. Don’t hide your accomplishments;  a job interview is no time to be modest. Prepare several specific, tangible examples that demonstrate the impact you’ve had in your previous/current role.

On the flipside, make sure your comments don’t sound arrogant. For example, don’t say: 

“Honestly, I’ve always been the smartest person in the room when it comes to solving problems. I see angles no one else does, and it’s frustrating to have to wait for others to catch up. That’s why I usually take the lead—because if I don’t, things tend to stall.”

Instead, you might describe your strength in this way:

“One of my strengths is strategic problem-solving. I enjoy tackling complex challenges, breaking them down into actionable steps, and collaborating with teams to find innovative, sustainable solutions. At my previous company, I led a cross-functional project that resulted in a 20% reduction in client churn within six months. I think part of what makes me effective is that I listen first, then look for patterns others might miss.”

8) Ask Smart Questions

If you’ve done your research as discussed above, you’ll be able to ask questions that demonstrate interest, curiosity, and a firm foundation to build on.  Even if the interviewer has given thorough explanations and there’s nothing more you want or need to know, still ask questions.

To prepare for this,  write a list of job interview questions days before the interview and add additional queries during the interview.

Examples of questions to ask at the end include:

• What do you expect your new hire to achieve in the first three to six months on the job?
• How will my performance be measured in this role?
• What is the official performance review process like at your company?
• What is the most important and pressing problem for this new person to tackle?
• What training opportunities are offered at your company to help employees develop their skills?
• How does this role contribute to the company’s overall mission and goals?

9) Leave a Lasting Final Impression

It’s been said that your final words are remembered the longest.  Make sure the impression you leave is positive. Close the interview with energy and interest by thanking each person who interviewed you before you leave. 

You might also mention how excited you are about this opportunity after meeting with them.

Job interviews can be tiring, but it’s crucial not to give the impression that you can’t wait to leave and get home. The interview is a positive opportunity to showcase your talent and to learn about the company, so make sure your words and body language reflect this.

10) Send a Follow-Up Email

You may not have thought about it, but you should send thank-you emails shortly after the interview, ideally within 24 hours. 

Thank the interviewer for their time, re-emphasize your interest in the job, and include any details you may have forgotten to mention in the interview. This provides another point of contact and keeps you at the forefront of the hiring manager’s mind.

Bonus Tip: How To Ace Virtual Interviews

All of the above applies to virtual interviews just as much as it does to in-person interviews. However, online videoconferencing requires a bit more preparation. Before your next online interview, use this checklist to make sure you ace it:

Lighting: Test your video setup to ensure there’s sufficient light. Natural, indirect light from a nearby window is ideal, but you can also use a selfie ring or other artificial lighting if necessary. Also, make sure you’re not backlit (your face appears dark because a window or lamp is located behind you) or washed out (too bright a light on your face).

Tone: Like body language, your tone of voice can communicate a lot. Speak conversationally, not too loudly (as if you were shouting) or in a tone too low to easily hear. Make sure you’re not gruff, sarcastic, or demeaning. Smile; people can hear it in your voice.

Tech: Technical problems can cause you to be late for your interview or miss it entirely. Be sure to check all of the following before the day of your interview.

• Computer: Make sure it powers on. If using a laptop, charge the battery. Run a system check and install any needed updates.
• Webcam: Make sure the camera and microphone are operational. Consider making a test call to a friend or family member.
• Internet connection: Run a speed test to make sure your system can handle a video call. 
• Headphones: If distracting noises may be an issue, use headphones.
• Software: Open the program you’ll be using for the interview video call. Install any updates and familiarize yourself with the controls.

AI tools to practice and improve interview performance

They say practice makes perfect, and that’s also true of your job interview.

These are a few AI tools you can try to practice your job interview answers, technique and tone. 

• Big Interview is free through many universities and libraries. It offers mock interviews based on your industry and experience level, with feedback on pacing, word choice, and non-verbal cues.
• Interview Warmup by Google is perfect for candidates in the data, tech, and UX design fields. It gives instant feedback on the key terms you use, answer word count, and use of filler words.
• VMock is available through some universities. It offers feedback on your resume (which is a good follow-up to using a resume builder) as well as interview responses.
• InterviewBuddy has a free tier and simulates video interviews.
• Pramp allows you to connect to mock interviews with a real person on the other side. Free users get credits each month, and paid members enjoy unlimited access.

Interview Prep for Different Backgrounds 

Your approach to the interview may differ depending on whether you’re changing industries, entering the workforce, a seasoned executive, or neurodiverse. Below are some special interviewing tips tailored just for you.

Interview advice for career changers

Switching fields can make you feel a little extra nervous, especially as you’re expected to prove your value without years of direct experience. The trick is to translate transferable skills into a new language.

Goal: Show how your past experience aligns with the new industry.

• Reframe your experience: Translate your skills into the employer’s language. If you’re leaving the medical field, for example, you might say “I led customer-facing operations,” instead of saying, “I managed patient intake.”
• Tell your “why” story: Be clear, confident, and upbeat about why you’re making the change.
• Use STAR examples: Focus on transferable strengths like communication, leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving.
• Do your homework: Know the language, trends, and expectations of the new field.

New graduate interview tips

As a new grad, it’s normal to feel anxious about lacking “real-world” experience. But you can prove your potential without a long resume to back you up.

Goal: Prove potential, enthusiasm, and a growth mindset.

• Leverage internships, school projects, part-time work, and volunteering: These can count as valuable experience.
• Show you’re coachable: Highlight your eagerness to learn and adapt. 
• Emphasize soft skills: Highlight teamwork, communication, and time management. 
• Prepare for the “tell me about yourself” question with a clear structure: Your education, interests, and why this role excites you.

Executive interview advice

Even seasoned leaders can feel uneasy walking into interviews, especially when the stakes are high and expectations are even higher. Interviews for executive roles require you to strike a balance between vision and humility while demonstrating strategic value.

Goal: Highlight leadership, vision, and measurable impact.

• Ask thoughtful, future-focused questions: Inquire about company direction, culture, and challenges.
• Speak in outcomes: Focus on metrics such as growth, revenue, and retention.
• Demonstrate strategic thinking: How have you built teams, led change, or managed crises?
• Balance confidence with humility: Show that you still listen, adapt, and collaborate.

Neurodiverse candidate interview tips

If you’re neurodiverse, you may find traditional interview formats draining or mismatched with how you naturally communicate and process information.

You’re not alone in feeling anxious—many interviews aren’t designed with neurodiversity in mind, but that doesn’t mean your strengths can’t shine through.

Goal: Emphasize strengths, ask for the support you need, and stay authentic.

• Use concrete examples: Replace vague self-promotion with facts.
• Play to your strengths: Highlight focus, pattern recognition, creative thinking, or reliability—whatever applies to you.
• Practice scripting common answers: It helps reduce stress in real time.
• Disclose if helpful: But it’s entirely your choice. If accommodations help you shine, ask for them early.

If you follow all of this job interview advice, you will have learned how to interview well, avoid the most common pitfalls, and make yourself a strong candidate for the job.

Looking for a job at the moment? Try out our AI resume builder to increase your chances of getting to the interview stage.

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