Job interviews can feel stressful. Whether it’s your first ever interview or your hundredth, a certain level of nerves is completely normal. The good news? With the right preparation, you can turn that nervous energy into confidence.
If you want to walk into your interview feeling calm, confident and in control, the tips below can give you a real advantage. Interestingly, many of them start well before the interview itself.
1. Start with your CV: make it crystal clear
Everything begins with a strong CV.
If you’re an experienced professional looking for a new opportunity, make sure you’re using the correct, up-to-date terminology for your degree. What was once referred to as a “graduate degree” might now officially be called a “bachelor’s degree.” Using outdated terms can easily create confusion.
Why is this important?
Some hiring managers place a lot of emphasis on formal qualifications. If your degree title doesn’t match what they expect, your CV could (unfairly) end up being overlooked. Clear and modern wording helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures you’re judged fairly.
2. Go beyond basic preparation
Checking the company’s website and LinkedIn page? That’s a great start.
But if you really want to stand out, take it a step further. For example, review the company’s financial statements.
This can give you valuable insights, such as:
- Who are the directors or board members?
- What do the revenue and profit figures look like?
- How many employees does the company have?
That last point can be particularly telling. If a company shows consistently high staff turnover over time, it might raise some questions, especially if stability matters to you.
Preparation isn’t just about memorizing information; it’s about understanding the bigger picture.
3. Learn from the person across the table
Whether you’re speaking with someone from HR or your potential future manager, there’s usually an interesting story behind their career path.
Ask how they came to join the company. What attracted them? What challenges did they encounter? What would they do differently if they were starting again today?
Not only does this create a more engaging conversation, it also gives you genuine insight into the company culture, the positives, and sometimes the less glamorous aspects too.
4. Prepare for the role itself, not just the interview
Many candidates focus on “what am I going to say?” but forget to prepare on a deeper, content level.
Think about:
- How your experience aligns with the role
- Which problems you can solve in practical terms
- Where your added value lies in measurable results
For an accountant, for example, this could include:
- experience with closing processes
- process optimization
- audit preparation
Concrete and measurable always works better than general statements.
5. Know your contact person’s name and role
It might sound obvious, but very few things are more awkward than getting someone’s name wrong.
Before your interview, make sure you know exactly who you’ll be speaking with and what their role is within the company. It demonstrates professionalism, respect and attention to detail.
6. Trust takes time to build and seconds to lose
You want to leave the interview with a positive feeling on both sides, and with your interviewer confident that you are reliable and trustworthy.
One of the best ways to achieve this is by being open about any doubts or questions you may have about the role. Addressing them honestly often allows solutions to be discussed right away.
Don’t focus on trying to impress. Focus on building trust.
7. Companies hire people, not just CVs
Of course, you want to present the best version of yourself. But remember: you’re already interesting as you are.
Highlight your skills and knowledge, but don’t be afraid to share your passions and interests too. You might find unexpected common ground with your interviewer.
Just one small tip: it’s usually best to avoid sensitive topics like politics or religion.
8. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know”
One of my university professors once said: “I’m interested in what you know, not in what you don’t know.”
In other words, answer questions as well as you can, but don’t try to dodge them or talk your way around them. Sometimes it’s more honest and more impressive to admit when you don’t know something.
What really matters is how you respond afterward. Show that you’re willing to learn and improve. Curiosity and honesty often leave a stronger impression than a perfectly rehearsed answer.
In closing
There are, of course, many more tips and tricks to help you prepare for an interview.
Need extra guidance? Feel free to reach out to us at apply@austinbright.com.
And if you have a great tip of your own, let us know, it might even be featured in one of our future articles.
Good luck! 🍀
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