Whether you’re stepping into your first ever job interview or preparing for a major career move, interviews can feel intimidating. The good news? With the right preparation and mindset, you can turn that pressure into confidence. A successful interview isn’t just about answering questions—it’s about presenting your strengths, showing your personality, and demonstrating why you’re the best fit for the role.
In this blog, we’ll break down practical, easy-to-follow tips that will help you stand out, stay focused, and make a lasting impression. From understanding what employers look for to mastering your responses and body language, these strategies will guide you toward interview success—one step at a time.
In one study, more than 30% of hiring managers decided whether to hire a candidate during the first five minutes of a job interview.
So how do you make a good impression?
Research
Do your research! Before your interview carefully read over the job advert to gain as much information as you can about the prospective role. Look through the employer’s website and scroll through their social media accounts to gather as much information as you can about their culture, work ethic, and overall setup. Doing research can make you feel more prepared and confident going into an interview.
Arrive Early
For an in person interview arrive 10–15 minutes early and for online interviews join 5 minutes early and make sure to test your audio, video and set up. Arriving early shows reliability and punctuality.
Attire
It’s important to show the recruiter that you made an effort for the interview. Job interview dress codes vary but generally, a job interview calls for you to dress up a little. Dress codes can depend greatly on the company, industry, and location, so do your research! Get your clothes ready the night before and check if they fit correctly. Make sure you feel confident and comfortable. Consider the role you have applied for and dress for the job you want!
Listen Carefully
Take a moment before answering any questions. It’s better to pause and think rather than rush in and ramble. Listen for keywords like teamwork, problem solving, initiative etc. Tailor your responses using these words to show you are actively listening and taking information in. Smile and nod to show engagement and try to stay present in the moment.
Answering Questions
How you answer interview questions will be a key factor in an employer’s final decision. Practice answering mock interview questions and ask a family member or a friend to listen and give you feedback. Take your time answering questions. Be authentic and enthusiastic!
Basic Interview Questions:
Here are some simple questions that many interviewers will use as standard. Take a look through the list below and practice your answers.
- Tell me about yourself
- Why should we hire you?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What are your goals for the next few years?
- What motivates you?
- Walk me through your CV and work experience
Situational Questions:
Situational questions are also something many employers ask. For example, what would you do if… or tell me about a time that… it’s harder to prepare for these questions and you may feel put on the spot.
A good technique to remember is S.A.O:
- Situation: Restate the scenario briefly.
- Action: Explain what you would do step by step.
- Outcome: Describe the result you expect.
Ultimately the employer wants to assess how you would react in certain situations. Remember these situations don’t always have to be work experience related so think about personal experiences too. Take your time, describe your thinking and remember to keep it professional.
Body language
Body language is the way you non-verbally communicate your feelings with your posture, gestures, facial expressions, and movements. Body language is subconscious, but you can learn to control it and project confidence to those around you.
Consider the following:
- Make Eye Contact - Eye contact shows you are paying attention to your interviewer and points out your engagement with the situation.
- Sit Up Straight - Sitting up straight gives an automatic signal of confidence.
- Use Hand Gestures - Touching your fingertips, clasping palms, and moving your fingers are signs of honesty and openness.
- Be Responsive –Smile and nod. Smiling displays positivity and shows that you are comfortable. Nodding shows that you are engaged and understand what the employer is saying.
Online Interviews
More and more interviews are now being conducted online. The benefit of this is that you can prepare in different ways and even keep notes beside you. Remember, don’t look down and read directly from your notes. Try to stay engaged with the interviewer even if it is virtually.
Online interviews can be a little less nerve racking as they can be conducted in the comfort of your own home. Many companies use these as the first stage in the interview process to allow them to get to know candidates before conducting more formal in person assessments. Remember, use a quiet room with a simple background and speak loud and clear. Show interest and be confident.
Interviews Work Both Ways
Many people forget but interviews work both ways and your impression of prospective employers also matters. A job might look perfect on paper but once you go for an interview things might change.
Questions to think about:
- Can I see myself working here?
- Could I work alongside these people?
- Does the company’s culture match my values?
- Is the workload reasonable?
- Is there room to learn and grow?
It’s important you find a role that works for you as well as the employer. At the end of a good interview you should be able to feel if you want the job or not.
Ask questions
Usually at the end of the interview employers will give you the opportunity to ask questions of your own. If something hasn’t been outlined then this is your chance for clarity or if you would like to know more information then speak up.
Example questions:
- What does a typical day look like in this role?
- What are the most important responsibilities for this position?
- Can you tell me about the team I’d be working with?
- What tools or systems does the team use daily?
- What are the next steps in the hiring process?
Preparing for an interview doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right mindset, solid preparation, and a confident approach, you can walk into any interview ready to show your best self. Remember to research the company, practice thoughtful answers, present yourself professionally, and ask meaningful questions. Every interview is not only a chance for employers to learn about you—but also an opportunity for you to decide if the role and company fit what you want.
Stay calm, be authentic, and trust your preparation. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to making a strong impression and landing the job you want.