Audio Version (10:42)
Interviews are your chance to shine and convince potential employers that you’re the perfect fit for the job. Yet, for many, the pressure of making a great impression can be nerve-wracking.
The key to acing any interview lies in preparation, confidence, and the ability to effectively communicate your value to a prospective employer.
In this article, I’ll share five steps to help you leave a lasting impression during your next interview. These may seem like no-brainers for some of you more experienced managers and HR professionals. However, I’ve helped thousands of people find jobs, and I know it’s often the simplest things job seekers miss.
In the extended YouTube version of this article, I discuss an additional three steps together with common pitfalls to avoid. You can watch it here.
Foolproof Interview Skills
Before we begin, I have a virtual course, ‘Foolproof Interview Skills’, in which I discuss the sections I describe here in much more detail. I also included the top 10 most asked interview questions, how to prepare for most questions using the STAR format, and what questions to ask the interviewers, including my bonus, ‘Golden Question.’ Click here for more information.
5 Steps to Ace Your Interview
Step 1: Research The Company and Role
Preparation is the foundation of a successful interview. Understanding the company’s mission, values, and goals, as well as the specific requirements of the role, will give you a competitive edge. Here’s how to do it:
Explore The Company Website. Familiarise yourself with their history, mission statement, and recent achievements.
Read Up on Industry News. Stay informed about the company’s position in the market and any recent developments.
Understand The Job Description. Identify key responsibilities and qualifications, and consider how your skills, experience and education align with them.
Check LinkedIn. Look at the profiles of current employees to gain insights into the company culture and team structure. You could also reach out to anyone you know and ask strategic questions.
Visit Glassdoor.com. This is a place where employees can leave reviews about their organisations. Reading them can give you a good idea of the organisation’s culture and help you formulate questions to ask during the interview.
Step 2: Prepare and Practise Your Responses
Most interviews include a mix of behavioural and technical questions. To respond confidently, practice your answers in advance:
Use The S.T.A.R. Method. Use the S.T.A.R. structure to explain your achievements. You can prepare this beforehand. For example, when asked about a time you solved a problem, outline the challenge (situation), your role (task), the steps you took (Action), and the positive outcome (Result). In my comprehensive ‘Foolproof Interview Skills’ course, I discuss using the STAR format in detail.
Prepare For Common Questions. Examples include: “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want this job?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Again, in my online course, I cover the top 10 most commonly asked interview questions, including how to answer them. These insights are based on feedback from thousands of clients and delegates over the years.
Practise Industry-Specific Questions. Review key concepts and up-to-date knowledge of current changes and challenges if the role requires technical expertise. Be ready to demonstrate your knowledge.
Rehearse with a Coach, Friend or Mentor. Mock interviews can help you refine your answers and gain confidence.
Step 3: Dress For Success
Your appearance plays a significant role in the first impression you make. Dress professionally and appropriately for the company’s culture:
Research The Dress Code. Some industries lean towards more formal attire (e.g., finance, law), while others are more casual (e.g., tech startups). When in doubt, err on the side of being slightly overdressed. If a company’s dress code is mentioned in the invitation, make sure you dress accordingly. I’ve known clients not to do this and be rejected simply on that point alone.
Choose Clean, Well-Fitting Attire. Avoid overly flashy accessories or bold patterns that may distract from your conversation. Make sure shoes are polished and not ‘down-at-heel’.
Groom Yourself Neatly. Ensure your hair, nails, and overall appearance are polished.
Step 4: Make a Strong First Impression
The first few minutes of an interview set the tone for the entire conversation. Make them count:
Arrive on time. Aim to be 10-15 minutes early to demonstrate punctuality. Note: Arriving dead on time is often seen as being late.
Greet warmly. Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and smile when you meet your interviewer.
Be Nice to EVERYONE. When you go for an interview, you never know who is involved in the process. As a recruiter, I would ask everyone who came into contact with a candidate for their opinion.
Show enthusiasm. Express genuine excitement about the role and company.
Step 5: Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Effective communication is essential during an interview. Focus on presenting yourself as articulate, professional, and personable:
Speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Avoid rushing or mumbling.
Be concise. Provide enough detail to answer questions thoroughly, but don’t ramble.
Highlight your achievements. Use specific examples to illustrate your skills and accomplishments.
Show enthusiasm. Let your passion for the role and industry shine through your tone and body language.
Bonus Tips for Virtual Interviews
Virtual interviews are incredibly common – especially for first interviews. Here’s how to make a strong impression online:
Test Your Technology. Ensure your internet connection, camera, and microphone are working correctly beforehand. Avoid waiting until just before the start time to find out things aren’t working.
Be early. Join the meeting at least 5 minutes early, even if you have to wait.
Choose a Professional Background. A clean, clutter-free space with good lighting is ideal. Try to avoid having your bed in sight (it’s not a professional look). If you face a wall, use it to your advantage by putting your notes up on the wall behind your screen.
Minimise Distractions. Turn off notifications AND YOUR PHONE/SMART WATCH. Let others in your household know you’re in an interview and not to disturb you.
Maintain Eye Contact. Look at the camera rather than the screen to simulate direct eye contact. Don’t keep looking at the little picture of yourself (turn that off if possible). It looks weird and, dare I say it, rather vain to the interviewer!
Dress Smartly and Be Neatly Groomed. Just because it’s a virtual interview doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress appropriately.
The Wrap-up
Acing an interview requires preparation, practice, and a positive mindset. By researching the company, practising your responses, and presenting yourself confidently, you can make a lasting impression and increase your chances of landing the job.
Finally, remember that interviews are a two-way process. You will be giving a big chunk of your life to the company you work for, so it’s critical that you get it right. So, it’s critical to ask the right questions and get all the information you need to make the right career move.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and admit if you decide the job or company isn’t right for you during or after the interview. The recruiters will thank you for that rather than wasting their valuable time.
If you want more information on what to look out for and the questions to ask to ascertain the company and your potential new manager’s culture and values, I recommend this video: How to Spot TOXIC Workplaces: 10 Interview Red Flags.
Remember, every interview is an opportunity to learn and grow—even if it doesn’t lead to an offer, the experience will prepare you for the next one. So, take a deep breath, trust in your abilities, and go out there to ace that interview!
What Next?
I have an online’ Your Dream Job’ programme if you’re starting your New Year’s job search and need an extra boost. Thousands of people have used it to find their next ‘right’ role.
It includes individual courses (which can be purchased separately) including:
How to Write a Brilliant CV
Foolproof Interview Skills
Finding Your Dream Job
Interview Presentation Skills
‘Get Clear’ (on what you want from your next job)
Click here for more information.
Again, in the extended YouTube version of this article, I discuss an additional three steps together with common pitfalls to avoid. You can watch it here.
If there are any specific subjects you’d like me to cover in upcoming content (it’s always so helpful!) or if you’d like help with any of the topics I discuss, message me at info@jobanks.net.
Finally, if you enjoyed this article and haven’t yet signed up to get my weekly newsletter straight to your inbox, hit the ‘NEWSLETTER’ tab at the top of the page.
As always, thanks for your continued support.
