How to Prepare for an Interview: Your Ultimate Guide

 

A job interview can be a frustrating experience - and can be a life-changing one if you prepare right. Preparing thoroughly instantly impresses the interviewer and sets you apart from other applicants, as hiring managers see you as a motivated and organized professional.

This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of interview preparation, from researching the company and analyzing the role to choosing the appropriate outfit, body language, and following up. Here are our best tips and strategies to make your next interview a huge success.

Quick Interview Prep Checklist

Have no time to read the full article? Here are the key strategies you should follow for a successful interview:

  1. Analyze the job description. Highlight the key requirements and qualifications. Make sure to mention these qualifications in your resume and when answering interview questions.
  2. Research the company and position. Do your interview research - browse the company website, social media, the news articles, and analyze company culture. The more prepared you are, the better the impression you'll make on a potential employer.
  3. Practice answering common interview questions. Rehearse answering common interview questions from the hiring manager and provide specific examples with numbers.Conduct mock interviews at home to articulate your strengths and sound confident.
  4. Prepare your outfit and documents. Print out multiple copies of your resume, cover letter, and references. Plan your outfit keeping the company culture and dress code in mind to dress appropriately for their work environment.
  5. Plan your route. Plan your commute the day before and double-check everything. Allocate more time for commuting if something doesn't go as planned.
  6. Prepare your questions to ask. Plan questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the conversation, and listen carefully. Thoughtful questions will show your motivation and let you learn more about the company.
  7. Mentally prepare. Set yourself up for success and prepare stress relief techniques if you get nervous.
  8. Follow up afterward. Send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours after the interview process to show your interest.

Interview Preparation Checklist

Interview Statistics You Should Know

  • 33% of hiring managers know within the first 90 seconds whether they’ll hire a candidate.
  • 55% of first impressions are made based on appearance alone.
  • 67% of candidates are rejected due to lack of knowledge about the company.
  • 76% of resumes are discarded for unprofessional email addresses.
  • 47% of interviewers say they wouldn't offer a job to a candidate with little or no knowledge of the company.
  • 5 to 15 minutes — that’s how long most interviews last when the interviewer has already made up their mind.
  • 38% of hiring decisions are influenced by voice quality and overall confidence.
  • 40% of candidates fail interviews due to lack of confidence or poor communication.
  • 85% of people lie on their resumes — making preparation even more critical to stand out truthfully.

Interview Preparation checklist

Proper preparation doesn’t just help — it gives you a real advantage.

Step 1 - Understand the Job & the Employer

Understanding the company before a job interview is crucial. According to LinkedIn, a whopping 47% of candidates fail interviews because of poor knowledge of the company. Take the steps below to gain a good understanding of the potential employer before the hiring process.

Review the job description carefully

Analyze the job description to identify relevant skills, experience, and background the potential employer is looking for. Think about how to highlight these specific qualifications when answering questions from the hiring manager.

For example, the company is looking for a Sales Manager to reboot the sales strategy and train new hires. In this case, you need to focus on your experience growing sales in the previously underperforming department, delivering sales training, and setting new goals, and highlight your ability to show measurable results.

Research the company

Not knowing enough about the company you're interviewing for can be a huge setback. Research the organization and make notes so you don't miss anything important.

Here's what you'll want to know about the prospective employer:

  • The company culture, mission, vision, and goals they declare
  • Main products or services they provide, and key clients
  • Their key competitors and how they compare to them
  • Recent news and major changes in the organization.

You can find these details on their website, social media pages, news portals, and even the LinkedIn pages of their current employees.

Helpful links & resources

  • Not sure how to respond to an interview request to make the right impression before the interview starts? Learn how to answer the interview request. Browse email templates and tone examples to help you reply with confidence.
  • If you've changed your mind, here's how to turn down an interview invitation or a job offer. Learn to say "no" in a professional, respectful way.

Step 2 - Practice Common Interview Questions

No matter the job title and industry, every interviewer asks some basic questions to every candidate. Such questions showcase your skills and qualifications, motivation, cultural fit, and work ethic. And, since these questions are common, you can easily rehearse them at home and tailor your responses to the company, thus maximizing your chances of getting a job offer.

What are the 7 common interview questions and how do you answer them?

  1. Tell me about yourself.
  2. What do you know about the company?
  3. What do you consider your biggest professional achievement?
  4. What are your biggest strengths?
  5. Could you tell me about your career goals for the next five years?
  6. Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership skills.
  7. What are your salary expectations?

For more questions, read the Top Interview Questions All Hiring Managers Ask and browse example responses to help structure your own.

Helpful links & resources

Step 3 - Plan What to Say and Ask

Preparation and practice are the most important interview tips. Preparing thoroughly is the only way to reduce anxiety, gain confidence and make the right impression on the interviewer. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning the responses about your experience, strengths, and relevant skills.

How to sell yourself in an interview

Selling yourself in an interview involves explaining with examples and numbers why you'll be an asset to the company. Prepare your biggest accomplishments, examples of problem-solving, and results you achieved to showcase them during an interview. Don't brag about how much you accomplished - instead, emphasize the value you delivered for the previous employer.

Prepare an elevator pitch to present yourself concisely and spark the interviewer's interest. Summarize in 3-5 sentences what you specialize in, why you want to work here, and how your values align with the company's. A strong pitch will build rapport and lay the foundation for the entire interview.

What to say about yourself

If you're puzzled about what to say about yourself in an interview and what to omit, here are a few hints:

  • Do: List measurable achievements, relevant skills, and experience. If you have limited experience, talk more about your unpaid projects and education. Share your values, personality, and ideal work environment if asked.
  • Don't: Talk too much about your family or personal issues. Don't badmouth your former boss or employer. Don't overcommunicate: 33% of job-seekers make the mistake of talking too much during a job interview.

Also, read about the Top 10 Interview Habits That Can Ruin Your Interview to avoid common mistakes.

5 smart questions to ask the hiring manager

38% of candidates fail job interviews because they don't prepare questions for the hiring manager. Avoid falling into this trap during your next interview and make a strong impression on one or multiple interviewers by coming up with great questions.

What questions to ask during an interview?

  1. What does the typical day look like for someone in this position?
  2. What are the KPIs in this role for the next 3 and 6 months?
  3. Is this position new? If not, why did it become available?
  4. Why do you enjoy working here?
  5. What opportunities for growth does the company offer?

These questions will show your true interest and set you apart from other candidates. Moreover, they can reveal details about the company that you won't find anywhere.

Helpful links & resources

Step 4 - Rehearse and Practice

As you recalled your biggest achievements, planned answers to interview questions and prepared your questions to ask the interviewer, it's time for a mock interview. Practice makes perfect and helps you feel prepared as you hone your answers and try various strategies to respond.

Rehearse answers aloud or in mock interviews

Rehearse the interview in person with a family member or friend. If not possible, rehearse in front of the mirror. Treat it like an actual interview: use professional language and tone and try to sound persuasive in your responses. At first, you may read the answer from the paper, but then try not to use your notes.

Mock interviews will help you identify weak answers, strengthen your presentation before you meet the interviewer, and gain confidence.

Practice eye contact, body language, and tone

In addition to preparing answers to common interview questions, practice your delivery. Watch the tone of voice and body language. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Non-verbal communication is 55% of success in a job interview, so don't neglect it. Here are a few steps to perfect your body language:

  • Sit straight without crossing your arms or legs. This pose shows confidence and power.
  • Smile and maintain eye contact. Failing to make eye contact during the conversation is one of the popular mistakes that can cost you a job.
  • Give the interviewer a firm handshake as you enter the room.
  • Listen carefully: look at the interviewer, nod, and smile as they say something.
  • Use gestures naturally to emphasize your point.

Helpful links & resources

Step 5 - Dress and Arrive Smart

One-third of interviewers decide whether they will hire you or not in the first 90 seconds. Your interview attire, body language, and tone of voice contribute to that first impression just as much as answers to questions. Here are the key guidelines for dressing and arriving to make an impact.

What to wear for an interview (Male and Female)

  • Choose the interview attire based on your industry, company culture, and job seniority. Your outfit for an interview in a bank will be different from that for an interview in a startup company.
  • Remember that it's better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.
  • Stay away from unprofessional items such as flip-flops, massive jewelry, and shorts, and avoid heavy makeup.
  • Make sure your hair is tidy and professionally styled. Read our interview hair style guide for women in 2025 for ideas of appropriate hairstyles.

Women's outfit ideas: Blue skirt suit with a creamy white shirt and flat shoes, or well-fitting trousers with a shirt and cardigan plus black cross-body bag. For more industry-specific examples of outfits, jump to our Comprehensive Job Interview Outfit Guide for Women. Get outfit inspiration and tips for looking professional and feeling comfortable.

Men's outfit ideas: Black suit with a white shirt or gray polo shirt with dark jeans and loafers.

How early should you arrive for an interview?

Arrive for an interview 10-15 minutes in advance. Thus, you will check in and find the right office without rushing and have a few extra minutes to pull yourself together before the conversation. By arriving on time, you'll show that you know professional etiquette and respect the interviewer's time. If you've arrived too early, have a cup of coffee nearby or take a short walk.

Helpful links & resources

Step 6 - Prepare for Each Interview Type

If you've been invited to a remote or phone interview, read the recommendations below to ace each interview type.

Phone interviews

Companies use phone screenings to narrow down the pool of applicants for a more substantial in-person interview. To pass a phone interview, briefly describe your experience and skills, and show confidence and enthusiasm about joining the company. Here's how to prepare for a phone interview:

  • Find a quiet place to ensure seamless, effective communication.
  • Have copies of your resume and cover letter, notes, and questions to ask the interviewer at hand.
  • Give brief, concise answers.
  • Use an enthusiastic, engaged tone as the recruiter doesn't see your face and it might be challenging for them to know your emotions.
  • Ask 1-2 questions to show interest.

Read the Phone Interview Tips To Help You Get Hired Faster for more in-depth tips and strategies for phone interview preparation. Learn phone-specific interview etiquette, tone tips, and question prep.

Behavioral interviews

Behavioral interviews are in-person conversations where employers check your past experiences to predict your behavior in typical workplace situations. They might ask how you navigated a conflict, dealt with an upset client, or used leadership skills.

Here is what to do if you're asked about past experiences:

  1. Understand the needed competencies. Say, if the job posting asks you to work with clients directly, recall different situations you can talk about during an interview.
  2. Use the STAR method. When talking about a workplace situation, describe the context, the task you had, the actions you took, and the result you achieved. Use numbers to illustrate your impact.
  3. Stay positive and upbeat. Your attitude is evaluated too, so be positive and focus on lessons learned when speaking about failures or weaknesses.

To find out more about behavioral interviews and how to strategize your response, read our article.

Virtual interviews

After the COVID, virtual interviews have become commonplace: about 86% of organizations use them. They are similar to in-person interviews, with the one difference being that you talk to the interviewer via video chat. Here are some tips to nail this type of interview.

  • Check the technology. Make sure that the internet connection is stable and the video conferencing platform works seamlessly.
  • Find a well-lit, quiet place where nobody will interrupt you.
  • Dress up like for an in-person interview (and always wear pants!).
  • Speak loud and slow, smile, and look into the camera, not at your picture on the screen.
  • Ask questions, listen carefully, and have notes at hand.

Our Professional Tips to Ace Your Zoom Interview will help you prepare thoroughly and make a stellar first impression.

Step 7 - Follow Up After the Interview

The interview process doesn't end when you say "Goodbye" and leave the office. After the interview, you can strengthen the first impression and build your professional image. Here's what to do when the interview is over.

Follow up

Only 1 in 4 job-seekers send a thank-you letter after the interview. Sending it shows great professional etiquette and your interest in joining the company. Remember to send a follow-up letter no later than 24 hours after the interview.

In your follow-up email, thank the interviewer for their time and information, reiterate your qualifications for the role, and recall something you particularly enjoyed during the conversation. Keep it short and sweet.

Thank-you email example

Dear Ms. Hamilton,

Thank you for taking the time to interview me for the Senior Accountant position at ABC Company. I found our conversation very insightful and particularly enjoyed learning more about your commitment to helping underserved communities.

I am confident that my advanced GAAP knowledge, financial analysis, budgeting, and technical accounting skills and proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team make me a strong candidate for this role.

Thank you again for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Laura Simpson

How to decline a job interview (politely)

If you would like to decline the next interview for whatever reason (e.g. you don't see the cultural fit, the job is not exactly what you expected, or the salary they offered was too low), do it with courtesy and professionalism. Don't ignore calls or emails from the hiring manager - it is extremely rude.

Instead, write a short email explaining that you are withdrawing your application or taking another job offer. Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration. Be short and up to the point. You might recommend them another candidate to them if you know someone who might be a good fit.

Helpful links & resources

  • Curious about whether you did well during the interview? Read the 19 Positive signs that the job interview went extremely well.

Interview Psychology: How to Stay Calm and Confident

93% of people feel nervous before the job interview. We fear rejection, experience the pressure to impress the interviewer, and worry if we answer the questions right. The pressure becomes even higher if you need a job urgently to pay the bills. If you feel anxiety and experience sweaty palms as the interview begins, you'll benefit from psychological techniques and tips to beat nervousness.

Tips to overcome anxiety

  • Use visualization. Visualization is a powerful technique to reduce uncertainty and anxiety. Imagine yourself in the office answering the interviewer's questions. Imagine that you act confidently and the hiring manager is pleased with your answers.
  • Breathing techniques. Controlled breathing can reduce anxiety and panic before the interview. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, and hold again for 4 seconds. This exercise boosts relaxation.
  • Positive self-talk. When you notice a negative thought, replace it with a positive one, such as "I am well-prepared and suitable for the position", or "I have the right skills, experience, and attitude it takes to excel in the role".
  • Use the grounding technique, or 5-4-3-2-1, to focus on the present moment. Name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.

Helpful links & resources

FAQ - Your Interview Questions Answered

How do I prepare the night before an interview?

If you have one evening to prepare for the interview, research the company and the role briefly to understand their expectations and show company knowledge. Review your resume, as the interviewer is likely to ask questions based on it. Think through answers to common questions and practice them aloud. Lay out your interview outfit and ensure you have the right directions to the location to avoid being late.

What are 3 things you should never say in an interview?

Avoid speaking negatively about past employers or coworkers, as it shows that you might be difficult to work with. Don't discuss family issues or personal challenges and focus on discussing your qualifications during the interview. Finally, don't stretch the truth or exaggerate your skills, as this is easy to check, and you might lose a job and undermine your professional reputation.

How to introduce yourself for an interview?

Prepare a one-minute elevator pitch summarizing your relevant skills, experience, and why you're a great fit for the role. Greet the interviewer, outline your background and most recent experience, and show achievements that align with the job description. Don't be shy to boast about your big award or a famous client - it can be a great conversation starter and prove your professionalism.

Can I bring notes to an interview?

It is acceptable to bring notes to an interview, and it also shows that you are well-prepared. However, keep your notes concise and organized, and avoid reading from your notes directly, especially when the interviewer asks you something. Use them as a reference in case you forgot some numbers or facts.

What should I do if I’m late?

If you realize you're running late for an interview, contact the interviewer immediately to inform them about it. If you have a solid reason and you'll be late for more than 30 minutes, it's best to offer to reschedule the interview, otherwise, follow the interviewer's directions. Apologize to the interviewer without making excuses and acknowledge the situation.

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