How to prepare for an interview

by Michael Cheary

When it comes to an interview, you can never be too prepared…

Whether you’re new to job hunting, or you’re a well-practiced interviewee – thorough research and effective interview preparation is absolutely essential to guarantee interview success. Attempting to ‘wing it’ will only ever end badly (and/or in awkward silences).

We’ve already covered telephone interview dos and don’ts and video interview tips, but if you’re invited to a face-to-face interview – here are our top tips on how to prepare:

Why interview preparation matters

Interview preparation isn’t just important for standing out to employers, it also helps boost your confidence when you walk into the interview room (or log onto the video call).

Good preparation helps you:

• Build confidence and reduce interview nerves
• Understand exactly what the employer is looking for
• Come up with relevant examples that showcase your skills
• Ask intelligent questions that demonstrate genuine interest
• Handle unexpected questions with ease

Remember, dealing with interview stress becomes much easier when you’ve done your homework.

How to prepare for an interview

1. Research the company thoroughly

Here’s where most candidates either shine or stumble. Your ability to demonstrate knowledge about the company shows genuine interest and initiative.

Start by exploring these key areas:

Company basics

• What does the company do?
• How big is the organisation?
• Who are their main customers?
• What’s their mission and values?

Recent developments

• Check their website for recent news or press releases
• Look at their social media for current projects
• Search for any recent media coverage
• Note any expansion plans or new initiatives

Company culture

• Read employee reviews on sites like Glassdoor
• Check their social media to understand their personality
• Look at their ‘About Us’ page for cultural insights
• Note any awards or recognition they’ve received

This research isn’t just about impressing your interviewer – it helps you determine if this company is genuinely the right fit for you.

How to research a company

2. Decode the job description

The job description is your key to interview success. It tells you exactly what the employer wants, so you can tailor your responses accordingly.

Break down the requirements

• List the essential skills and qualifications
• Note the ‘nice to have’ requirements
• Identify the main responsibilities
• Understand the reporting structure

Match your experience
For each requirement, prepare a specific example of how you meet it. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your examples:

• Situation: Set the scene
• Task: Explain what needed to be done
• Action: Describe what you did
• Result: Share the positive outcome

This approach helps you give concrete, memorable answers that prove you can do the job.

3. Understand different interview formats

Not all interviews are the same, and knowing what to expect helps you prepare appropriately.

Common interview types

• One-on-one interviews (traditional format)
• Panel interviews (multiple interviewers)
• Competency-based interviews (focused on specific skills)
• Group interviews (multiple candidates)
• Telephone or video interviews

How to prepare accordingly

• Ask about the format when you’re invited
• Research who you’ll be meeting (check LinkedIn or company website)
• Understand what assessments or tests might be involved
• Prepare different types of interview questions for different formats

4. Master common interview questions

While you can’t predict every question, certain themes appear in most interviews… 

The classics you should prepare for:

• ‘Tell me about yourself’
• ‘Why do you want this job?’
• ‘What are your strengths and weaknesses?’
• ‘Where do you see yourself in five years?’
• ‘Why are you leaving your current role?’

When it comes to answering these questions (or any others that come up), you should try to memorise 5-7 stories that showcase different skills. These can be adapted to answer various questions. For each story, ensure you can clearly explain:

• The challenge you faced
• The actions you took
• The positive results you achieved
• What you learned from the experience

That way, whatever question you get – you can use your bank of experiences to answer them effectively. 

If you’re preparing for a remote working job interview, the questions you’re asked may be more tailored to a remote working environment. Learn about the most common remote working interview questions here. 

5. Plan your questions

Remember, an interview is a two-way conversation. Asking thoughtful questions shows you’re genuinely interested, and helps you determine if the role is right for you.

Great questions to consider:

• ‘What does success look like in this role?’
• ‘What are the main challenges facing the team right now?’
• ‘How would you describe the company culture?’
• ‘What opportunities are there for professional development?’
• ‘What’s the typical career progression for someone in this role?’

Questions to avoid:

• Anything easily found on their website
• Questions about salary (save for later stages)
• Negative questions about the company
• Questions that suggest you haven’t done basic research

Questions to ask at the end of a job interview

6. Prepare your practical details

Don’t let logistical issues derail (delayed train pun unintentional) your preparation efforts. To make sure you’re well-prepared in advance, here are some essential steps to take:

The day before a job interview:

• Choose and try on your outfit (see our guide on what to wear for an interview)
• Plan your route and do a practice run if possible
• Gather important documents (CV, portfolio, certificates)
• Prepare a folder with extra copies of your CV
• Check you have the interviewer’s contact details

Four things to take to a job interview

The day before a video interview:

• Test your technology in advance
• Check your internet connection
• Set up good lighting and a professional background
• Have a backup plan if technology fails

Video interview tips

Advice for the day of the interview

You’ve done the hard work – now it’s time to put it into practice. Here are our top tips for the day of the interview:

Arrive prepared:

• Aim to arrive 10-15 minutes early
• Bring everything you need in a professional folder
• Turn off your phone (or put it on silent)
• Have a bottle of water if you need it

Stay calm and confident:

• Take deep breaths if you feel nervous
• Remember that they want you to succeed
• Focus on having a conversation, not being interrogated
• Be yourself – authenticity is always impressive

If nerves are still getting the better of you, remember that some anxiety is normal. Most interviewers understand this and will try to put you at ease.

12 things you should never do at an interview

How to do well in an interview

OK, so you’ve prepared yourself fully – but how do you make sure you tick all the boxes on the big day? Here are our top tips to bear in mind during the interview:

• Make eye contact and smile naturally
• Listen carefully to each question before answering
• Take a moment to think if you need it
• Give specific examples rather than general statements
• Show enthusiasm for the role and company
• Ask follow-up questions when appropriate
• Focus on your body language
  • Sit up straight but stay relaxed
  • Use open gestures (avoid crossing arms)
  • Nod to show you’re listening
  • Match the interviewer’s energy level

And if you’re put on the spot and are asked something you don’t know the answer to? Don’t panic. It’s absolutely fine to say ‘I don’t have experience with that specific system, but I’ve used similar tools and I’m always eager to learn new technologies.’ 

Honesty combined with enthusiasm goes a long way.

Five common job interview mistakes

After the interview

Follow up professionally:

• Send a thank-you email within 24 hours
• Reiterate your interest in the role
• Mention any key points you forgot to cover
• Keep it brief and professional

Reflect and learn:

• Note what went well and what you could improve
• Update your interview preparation for future opportunities
• Stay positive regardless of the outcome

Eight signs your interview went well

11 things to do when your interview goes badly

Final thoughts on interview success

Remember, an interview is a two-way process. 

While you’re proving you’re right for them, they’re also proving they’re right for you. The best interviews feel like conversations where both parties are genuinely interested in learning about each other (with minimal awkward interview moments).

Preparation is your best friend, but don’t over-rehearse to the point where you sound robotic. You want to come across as professional, prepared, and personable.

And if you don’t get the job? That’s OK. Every interview is a valuable experience, regardless of the outcome. Each one teaches you something new about yourself, the job market, or what you’re looking for in your next role. 

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Interview tips: Our advice to help you ace the interview

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