Shine at your next job interview! Discover our guide with 9 interview tips

Job interviews are the place where all of your hard work pays off. During this phase, you’ll have the opportunity to make a great impression on the hiring manager and explain why you’re the best candidate for their job opening.

But it can be easy to let nerves take over and deliver a lackluster performance during your interview. If you’re looking to shine at your next interview, factoring in some top interview tips will help you make a great first impression.

In this guide, we’ll provide:

• Interview preparation tips

• Interview presentation tips

• Interview communication techniques

• Interview follow-up tips

9 Interview tips to ace your interview

Ready to get started and shine in your next interview? Here’s our nine interview tips that will help you to be the standout candidate and ace your interview:

1. Do your homework

Before you meet with a recruiter or hiring manager, it’s important to do your research. Review the job description and key responsibilities. Note the essential skills and qualifications and think about how you can display or describe them during the interview.

It’s also helpful to do some independent research on the company too. Check out the company website, reviews, and social media pages. This will enhance your knowledge of the company's history, services, and achievements, as well as give you something to talk about in the interview.

2. Practice your answers

Once you review the job description, you’ll have a better understanding of what interview questions may be asked. Hiring managers tend to use the job description as a guide to measure your suitability for the role. 

Aside from typical interview questions, expect some behavioral interview questions such as, “Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team?” or “Tell me about a time you solved a challenging problem?” Using the job listing as your guide, prepare some answers with specific examples to address these types of behavioral questions. 

3. Dress for the job you want

The way you dress makes an impression on the people around you, especially in a professional setting. We’ve all heard “dress for success” or “dress for the job you want” at some point in our lives, and it is good advice when going to an interview.

This is where your research can come in handy. Once you know more about the company culture and its dress code, you can determine the best outfit for your interview. While it’s important to present yourself well, most companies have embraced a fairly dressed-down ethic. While a suit and tie might be right for some interviews, business casual or smart casual will be more appropriate in less formal work environments.

4. Plan ahead

One interview tip that can’t be underestimated is planning ahead. Before you go to your interview, speak with the recruiter to check if there’s any specific documents or information they need you to bring to the meeting. Generally you’ll want to take along copies of your resume, work portfolio, identification documents, and a reference list. 

There’s nothing worse than being late for an interview either. Plan your journey well in advance, including finding suitable parking locations or public transport drop off points. Always set off earlier to give yourself extra time for unexpected delays such as bad traffic, a full parking lot, or delayed bus.  

5. Be aware of your nonverbal communication

When speaking to others in person, body language can be just as important as what you say. Nonverbal cues can be described as conveying your thoughts, feelings, and mood visually, rather than via the spoken word. This can include your facial expressions, eye contact, body posture, and tone of voice. 

Before you go into your interview, consider and be aware of your nonverbal communication, including body language. In the first few minutes of the interview, smile and make eye contact. Also, having a confident handshake and projecting enthusiasm can make a difference.

6. Ask the hiring manager insightful questions

With interview tips, an important one to remember is that the meeting goes both ways. While the interviewer is determining your suitability for the job, you can also size up the role and company too. 

The best way to find out whether a job is right for you is by asking the hiring manager some insightful questions. Focus your questions on the role, company, and team so you can find out more about expectations, advancement opportunities, and company culture. Ask some rapport-building questions too, such as “Why did you join the company and why did you stay?” This is a great way to build a positive relationship and wrap the interview up in a positive way.

7. Stay positive and polite

Positivity is key to making a good impression in your interview. Be confident and enthusiastic when describing what attracted you to the role and company. Apply your research and mention things that resonate with you about company mission, vision, and values. 

When speaking about your previous jobs, avoid negativity and don’t speak poorly of former colleagues. This can often leave a bad impression. Instead of focusing on things you don’t like, explain how excited you are for new opportunities.

8. Take notes 

If the interview goes well, your interviewer will often provide you with some important information about next steps. Pack a notepad and a pen in your bag so you can take notes and record important dates, contact details, and salary information. If there’s anything else that you might want to know later, feel free to write it down, as it conveys interest and engagement. 

9. Follow up

If you don’t hear back from a company right away, don’t panic. They may have multiple candidates to interview before they make a decision. If it’s been a little while, email the recruiter and ask if you can take any steps to continue the process. This ensures that you stay top of mind with the hiring staff and shows that you really want the job. 

Our interview tips will help you shine at your next interview, but if you want to practice interviewing for your next job and secure actionable feedback, then check out Career.io’s Interview Prep tool.

Key takeaways

1. One vital interview tip is that preparation is key. Conducting research on the role and company and practicing answers to interview questions will ensure your interview-ready.

2. First impressions are vital in an interview, so dress appropriately, plan your journey to arrive early, and have all the necessary documentation.

3. Always be positive and professional in your verbal and nonverbal communications as this can set you apart from other candidates.

4. Don’t forget to ask the hiring manager some insightful questions at the end of the interview and be sure to follow up at a timely point for next steps.