Preparing for Job Interviews
A job interview is your opportunity to demonstrate your qualifications, personality, and professionalism beyond what’s on your résumé and cover letter. It’s not just about answering questions—it’s about communicating your value, aligning with the company culture, and making a strong impression. Use the tips on this page effectively prepare for your next interview while avoiding common pitfalls.
Accepting a Job Interview
How you respond to an interview request sets the tone for your future interactions.
Best Practices:
- Reply promptly—ideally within 24 hours.
- Use a professional tone, even in email or text messages.
- Confirm the logistics: date, time, location (or video link), interview format, and expected length.
- Ask about the interview format if not provided: panel, one-on-one, case study, etc.
Sample Response:
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I’m happy to confirm our meeting for [Date] at [Time]. Please let me know if there’s anything I should prepare in advance.
I look forward to speaking with you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Preparing for Job Interviews
Do Your Research
Make sure you understand the company, the position, and the people you are interviewing as well as you can. While it’s not reasonable to know everything, the more you do know, the more employers will see you as prepared and interested in the position. Be sure to research as much as possible about the following:
- Company background: mission, values, leadership, recent news
- Industry trends: know what’s happening in the sector
- Job description: match your skills to the responsibilities and keywords
- Interviewer (if known): look them up on LinkedIn
Practice:
- Rehearse answers to common questions
- Prepare a few stories using the STAR method (see below)
- Develop questions to ask the interviewer
Common Interview Questions
Use the table below to familiarize yourself with the 30 most common interview questions, categorized by type.
| General Background | Behavioral & Situational | Role-Specific & Closing |
|---|---|---|
| Tell me about yourself. | Describe a time you had to meet a tight deadline. | What do you know about our company? |
| Why do you want this job? | Tell me about a time you worked on a team. | Why should we hire you? |
| Why are you leaving your current job? | Describe a conflict you’ve handled at work. | What are your salary expectations? |
| What are your greatest strengths? | Tell me about a time you failed. | Where do you see yourself in five years? |
| What are your biggest weaknesses? | How do you prioritize tasks under pressure? | Do you have any questions for us? |
| How did you hear about this position? | Describe a time you led a project. | Are you interviewing elsewhere? |
| What motivates you? | Give an example of going above and beyond. | When can you start? |
| How do you handle feedback? | Tell me about a time you had to learn something quickly. | Is there anything we should know that’s not on your résumé? |
| How do you stay organized? | Describe a time you managed multiple deadlines. | What would your previous supervisor say about you? |
| What do you do outside of work? | Tell me about a mistake you made and how you handled it. | Do you have any concerns about the role? |
Dressing for an Interview
Your appearance sends a message before you speak a word. Dress to match the formality of the industry, leaning slightly more formal when in doubt.
General Guidelines:
- Corporate roles: Dark slacks/skirt, dress shirt/blouse, blazer, closed-toe shoes
- Creative fields: Smart casual with style; neat, but not stiff
- Tech/startups: Business casual; avoid hoodies or sneakers unless you’re told otherwise
- Healthcare/education: Clean, pressed, conservative clothing
Best Practices:
- Avoid loud colors, logos, prints, or busy patterns
- Make sure everything fits properly and is wrinkle-free
- Limit accessories, perfumes, or colognes
- Groom hair, nails, and facial hair neatly
What to Bring to an Interview
Bring only what you need—and make sure it’s organized.
Checklist:
- Multiple printed copies of your résumé
- A printed list of references
- A notepad and pen
- Prepared questions to ask the interviewer
- A professional-looking portfolio or folder
- Any requested materials (e.g., writing samples, certificates)
- Photo ID (if needed for security)
For virtual interviews:
- Test your tech in advance (camera, mic, internet)
- Find a quiet, uncluttered, well-lit space
- Have your résumé and notes nearby—but off camera
Job Interview Body Language
Your body language can support—or undermine—what you say. Use nonverbal communication to convey confidence and professionalism.
Do:
- Make eye contact (without staring)
- Sit up straight with relaxed shoulders
- Nod slightly to show engagement
- Use hand gestures when speaking (moderately)
- Smile appropriately
- Offer a firm (but not crushing) handshake
Avoid:
- Fidgeting or tapping
- Crossing your arms
- Looking at your phone or watch
- Slouching or leaning too far back
- Overusing gestures or facial expressions
Answering Job Interview Questions
Answer with clarity, relevance, and confidence. Use the STAR method for behavioral questions:
STAR = Situation – Task – Action – Result
Example:
“At my last job, we faced a sharp drop in customer engagement (Situation). My task was to improve retention (Task). I launched a weekly newsletter and created segmented campaigns (Action), which increased engagement by 35% over two months (Result).”
General Tips:
- Listen carefully before answering
- Take a pause if needed
- Keep answers 60–90 seconds long
- Always tie your answer back to the role you’re applying for
What to Do When You Don’t Have a Good Answer
It happens! Employers are more interested in how you respond under pressure than whether you’re perfect.
What You Can Do:
- Be honest. “That’s not something I’ve experienced directly, but here’s how I would approach it…”
- Relate it to a similar skill. If you don’t have sales experience, reference customer service or communication skills.
- Show willingness to learn. “That’s something I’m excited to gain more experience with in this role.”
Pro Tip: Stay composed. Confidence in your learning ability can be just as impressive as experience.
Things to Avoid During Job Interviews
Avoiding these common mistakes can help you stay polished and professional throughout your interview.
❌ Don’t:
- Arrive late (or log in late to a virtual call)
- Complain about past employers or jobs
- Interrupt the interviewer
- Overuse filler words (“like,” “um,” “you know”)
- Overshare personal details, such as religion, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, etc.
- Ask about salary or time off too early
- Use slang or overly casual language
- Forget to ask questions at the end
- Forget to send a thank-you note afterward
*Content on this page was curated and edited by expert humans with the creative assistance of AI.