How to Ace an Interview in 8 Steps (With Additional Tips)

Updated 5 May 2023

When you look for a new job or position inside a company, whether it's an entry-level position or a senior role, you may be invited for an interview following your application. A job interview gives you an excellent chance to tell the hiring team more about your qualifications and experience. Knowing the top tips on how to leave a remarkable impression can help you complete a successful interview in the career you desire. In this article, we explore how to ace an interview and provide tips you can use to increase the success of a job interview.

How to ace an interview

Taking the time to prepare before an interview takes place can help you deliver answers that leave a lasting impression. Here are some steps you could take to help you perform well in an interview:

1. Choose a career path and research the market

You can start by defining your career goals and discovering your core values. Before applying for a position, gather information to help you decide if it's the profession you want. You will need to research the market to know more about job opportunities in a specific sector, average salaries, primary duties and responsibilities, job market expectations and any additional information you wish to know.

After doing some research, you can apply for positions that interest you and start to prepare for a potential interview. If the employer knows you are well informed about the current market outlook, potential challenges and professional expectations, you come across as more enthusiastic about the role and industry.

2. Research your potential company

Before your interview, research the company and learn more about its mission, goals, accomplishments and organisational culture. One of the easiest ways to research a company is to visit the corporate website and social media accounts. Learn about the company's history, recent news, performance, values and future expectations.

You can also search different companies on Indeed Company Pages to learn more about current job openings, browse reviews, read Q&A, gain data about salaries and much more. Obtaining this information will help you to put your interview answers into context, answer questions appropriately and show the company that you're genuinely interested in working with them.

3. Review the job description

The job description the company posted or sent to you contains valuable information about the role's main duties and responsibilities. Sometimes, you may also receive information about the salary range and potential bonuses. Study the keywords that relate to skills, experience and qualifications, and plan to discuss them in your interview. This will help you stay on topic during the interview.

4. Practise answering interview questions

Whether the interview focuses on job-specific topics or your professional profile, the interview is likely to include a few standard questions. You can review a list of the most common interview questions and practise answering them. Focus your responses on the company, position and your relevant qualifications and goals.

5. Understand the STAR method

Many hiring managers ask behavioural questions in an interview to assess how candidates can handle common situations in the workplace. STAR stands for situation, task, action and result. You can use this method to explain the context of a situation, describe your responsibility or role, explain what steps you took to address a situation and describe the results of your initiative.

Example: 'I was working as a customer service manager in a tourism company during peak season, and we were receiving multiple calls at the same time. Unfortunately, my team and I could not answer our clients' most pressing issues and some were dissatisfied with the company's service. I took full responsibility for the situation and informed my team lead about the challenges we were facing. I also arranged an urgent meeting with my team to reorganise the help desk tickets so that we could prioritise the urgent ones. As a result, the clients felt heard and were more satisfied with our service.'

6. Rest and pick your outfit before the interview

Resting is crucial before an interview. Try to sleep at least eight hours the night before so that you have sufficient energy to carefully listen to the interviewer and answer each question clearly. Remember that body language transmits more information than words, and the hiring managers can see if you're tired.

Interview attire is equally important when looking to make a positive first impression. Choose an outfit that aligns with the company's organisational culture and the hiring process itself. Try reviewing the company's website or social media profiles to research the employee dress code and plan an interview outfit. In most cases, a business casual outfit, such as dress pants with a professional shirt, is suitable. Ensure your clothes are clean and pressed, and make sure your accessories are appropriate for the interview.

7. Ask your own questions to the interviewer

During the interview, you can expect to answer the hiring manager's questions, but you can also ask your own questions. Most companies expect candidates to show interest in the position and the organisation by asking informed questions. This gives you a chance to obtain any information about the role that you would like to know. Try to prepare these questions in advance according to your previous research and professional goals.

8. Follow up after the interview

After the interview ends, you can take additional actions to show your dedication and increase your chances of getting the job. Try to send a thank-you email to the hiring manager within 24 hours after the interview. In your email, you can expand on your interest in the position and thank the hiring manager for their time. If you don't receive an answer within a week after the job listing closes, consider sending an additional follow-up email to express your continued enthusiasm for the position and interest in moving forward in the hiring process.

Additional tips for a successful job interview

Here are more tips you can use to perform well in an interview:

Visualise success: Positive thinking can influence positive outcomes. It's normal to have some doubts before the interview, but try to believe in yourself and your success during the interview. Research shows that positive body language can also influence your confidence and help calm nerves.
Eat well, but not too much: Eating something, even if you're nervous, can help you increase your performance in a job interview. Try to eat some food that is gentle on the stomach, such as fruit or salad. Light foods will help optimise your performance, whereas heavy meals could make you feel drowsy.
Exercise before the interview: Although rest is important before a job interview, you can exercise moderately before the interview to release endorphins and relieve stress. Exercising may give you a brighter look and help you be more receptive to questions.
Bring a notebook and a pen: You may need to take notes during the interview. The best way to do this is to write the information down using a pen, rather than a smartphone or any other electronic device.
Maintain eye contact: A candidate who maintains eye contact during a job interview shows high self-confidence, which may improve your performance.
Gather documents, references and examples: Your interviewers might require you to submit a list of references before or after your interview and any other document that describes your experience, qualifications or identity. Print or prepare the necessary documents ahead of time and consider bringing clean copies of your resume.
Be authentic: Always be genuine during interview conversations so that employers can relate to you. Try not to embellish your skills and accomplishments and focus on your strongest qualifications.
Be punctual: Plan how to arrive at your destination if you're doing the interview in person. You want to avoid any unexpected event, such as high traffic. You can also use a calendar on your phone to automatically notify you when it's time to prepare. Be present 5 to 10 minutes before the interview and ensure the receptionist knows you're there.

How to Ace an Interview in 8 Steps (With Additional Tips)