25 Job Interview Tips That Will Help You Land the Offer

Before the interview

Preparation is where interviews are won. These tips help you walk in confident.

Tip 1: Research the company deeply

Go beyond the "About" page. Understand:

• Recent news, press releases, and announcements
• Company mission, values, and culture
• Products, services, and competitive position
• Challenges and opportunities in their industry
• Key executives and their backgrounds

Where to look: Company website, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, recent news articles, earnings calls (for public companies).

Tip 2: Study the job description

The job posting tells you exactly what they want. Highlight:

• Required skills and qualifications
• Key responsibilities
• Success metrics (if mentioned)
• Team structure and reporting

Prepare examples that demonstrate each requirement.

Tip 3: Research your interviewer

Look up your interviewer on LinkedIn:

• Their career path and current role
• Shared connections or experiences
• Posts or articles they've written
• How long they've been at the company

This helps you find common ground and tailor your responses.

Tip 4: Prepare your STAR stories

The STAR method structures your answers to behavioral questions:

• Situation: Set the context
• Task: Explain your responsibility
• Action: Describe what you did (focus here)
• Result: Share the outcome with metrics if possible

Prepare 5-7 stories covering: leadership, problem-solving, conflict resolution, failure/learning, achievement, teamwork, and initiative.

Tip 5: Prepare thoughtful questions

Asking good questions shows genuine interest and helps you evaluate the opportunity:

• "What does success look like in this role in the first 90 days?"
• "What are the biggest challenges the team is facing?"
• "How would you describe the team culture?"
• "What do you enjoy most about working here?"

Avoid questions about salary, benefits, or vacation in first-round interviews.

Tip 6: Plan your outfit the night before

Dress one level above the company's typical dress code:

• Business formal: Suit and tie / professional dress
• Business casual: Blazer with slacks / professional but relaxed
• Casual tech: Clean, polished casual (no jeans with holes)

When in doubt, overdress slightly. Looking professional never hurts.

Tip 7: Prepare logistics

For in-person interviews:

• Know the exact address and building entrance
• Plan your route and add buffer time for delays
• Have a backup transportation plan

For virtual interviews:

• Test your technology the day before
• Have a backup device ready
• Know the meeting link and dial-in number

Tip 8: Get in the right mindset

The night before:

• Review your notes, then stop studying
• Get a good night's sleep
• Lay out everything you need

The morning of:

• Eat a proper meal
• Review your key talking points briefly
• Practice power poses or whatever helps you feel confident

During the interview

Execution matters. These tips help you make a strong impression.

Tip 9: Arrive at the right time

In-person: 10-15 minutes early. Use extra time in your car or nearby, not in the lobby.

Virtual: 5 minutes early. This gives you time to troubleshoot any tech issues.

Tip 10: Start with a strong first impression

You have seconds to make an impression:

• Firm handshake (or warm virtual greeting)
• Eye contact and genuine smile
• Clear, confident introduction
• Thank them for their time

"Hi, I'm [Name]. Thank you so much for meeting with me—I'm really excited to learn more about this role."

Tip 11: Listen more than you speak

Interviews aren't monologues. A good ratio is:

• 70% listening / 30% speaking when they're explaining
• Answer concisely, then check: "Does that answer your question?"

If you're talking for more than 2 minutes straight, you're probably losing them.

Tip 12: Use the STAR method for behavioral questions

When asked "Tell me about a time when...", structure your answer:

1. Situation (1-2 sentences): Set the scene
2. Task (1 sentence): Your specific responsibility
3. Action (the bulk): What YOU did, step by step
4. Result (1-2 sentences): Quantified outcome if possible

Keep total answer length to 1.5-2 minutes.

Tip 13: Answer the question actually asked

It's easy to go off on tangents. Listen carefully, pause before answering, and address the specific question. If you're unsure what they're asking, clarify:

"Just to make sure I understand—are you asking about my experience with X or Y?"

Tip 14: Be honest about what you don't know

If you don't know an answer, say so professionally:

• "That's not something I've worked with directly, but here's how I'd approach learning it..."
• "I don't have experience with that specific tool, but I've used similar ones like..."

Pretending to know something you don't is worse than honest acknowledgment.

Tip 15: Show enthusiasm for the role

Energy is contagious. Demonstrate genuine interest:

• Lean in slightly when listening
• Nod to show engagement
• Use phrases like "I'm really excited about..." or "What drew me to this role was..."

Enthusiasm often tips the scale between equally qualified candidates.

Tip 16: Take notes

Bring a notepad and jot down:

• Key points they mention about the role
• Names of team members
• Follow-up questions that occur to you
• Details you want to reference in your thank-you email

This shows you're engaged and helps you remember details later.

Tip 17: Address weaknesses strategically

When asked about weaknesses:

1. Choose a real but manageable weakness
2. Show self-awareness about its impact
3. Describe specific steps you're taking to improve
4. Provide evidence of progress

Example: "I used to struggle with delegating—I'd take on too much myself. I've been working on this by intentionally assigning tasks to team members and trusting their capabilities. In my last project, I delegated three major workstreams, which freed me to focus on strategy and actually improved our timeline."

Tip 18: Ask your prepared questions

When they ask "Do you have questions for me?", never say "No, I think you covered everything."

Ask 2-3 thoughtful questions that show you've done your research and are genuinely evaluating the opportunity.

After the interview

The interview isn't over when you leave the room. Follow-up matters.

Tip 19: Send a thank-you email within 24 hours

A brief, personalized email reinforces your candidacy:

• Thank them for their time
• Reference a specific conversation point
• Reiterate your interest and fit
• Offer to provide additional information

Tip 20: Send individual emails to each interviewer

If you met with multiple people, send each person a unique email. Reference something specific from your conversation with them.

Tip 21: Debrief yourself

While it's fresh, write down:

• Questions they asked and how you answered
• What went well
• What you'd do differently
• Questions you wish you'd asked
• Your overall impression of the role and company

This helps you improve for future interviews and remember details if you move forward.

Tip 22: Follow up appropriately

If they gave you a timeline ("We'll be in touch by Friday"), wait until after that date passes before following up. Then a brief, professional email:

"Hi [Name], I wanted to follow up on our conversation last week. I remain very interested in the [Role] position and would be happy to provide any additional information. Please let me know if there's anything else you need from me."

Tip 23: Stay active in your job search

Don't pause your search while waiting to hear back. Continue applying and interviewing. This keeps your skills sharp and gives you options.

Tip 24: Prepare for next rounds

If you advance, each subsequent interview typically goes deeper:

• Second round: Often with the hiring manager or team
• Third round: May include panel interviews, case studies, or presentations
• Final round: Often with senior leadership

Each round requires fresh preparation and new questions.

Tip 25: Learn from rejections

If you don't get the offer:

• Thank them for the opportunity
• Ask if they can share feedback (some will, many won't)
• Reflect on what you could improve
• Move on—it's often about fit, not your worth

Every interview makes you better at interviewing.

Virtual interview tips

Remote interviews have their own best practices.

Technology setup

• Camera at eye level: Use books or a stand to raise your laptop
• Good lighting: Face a window or use a ring light; avoid backlighting
• Clean background: Professional or virtual background
• Stable internet: Use ethernet if possible; have a hotspot backup
• Test audio/video: Do a test call with a friend beforehand

Virtual presence

• Look at the camera, not the screen, to simulate eye contact
• Sit slightly forward to show engagement
• Nod and react visually—the interviewer needs feedback that you're listening
• Minimize hand gestures (can be distracting on video)
• Pause slightly before speaking to avoid interrupting due to audio delay

Common virtual interview mistakes

Prepared by

Careery Team

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