Interview tips: How to ace your job interview.
Got a biggie coming up? Don’t sweat it. Check out these top tips for acing a job interview.
One of humankind’s greatest fears is fumbling a job interview. The pressure, the unfamiliarity – the constant questions? But with a bit of prep, positivity and professionalism, you can walk in with confidence, walk out with your head held high, before getting home and crumpling onto the sofa, knowing you’ve done the best you can.
In this guide, we’ll go through the practical tips you need for every stage of the interview process – revision, rehearsals, the grilling itself, and the aftermath. We’ll also talk through some key tips for cover letters and CVs using Adobe Express. Let’s get to it.
Interview preparation tips: weeks before your interview.
So, you’ve submitted your CV, written a killer cover letter and have had an offer for an interview. Congratulations! According to recruitment giants Robert Walters UK, almost 85% of job applicants feel their applications are being ignored. So even getting a response is something of a win.
However, the hard part isn’t over. Next comes the interview prep – and it’s important to do this carefully. Before you start writing down, rehearsing and memorising your interview spiel, you’ll need to research the company, the role and how you can fit into it.
Respond promptly.
First things first, don’t forget to say yes to your invitation, assuming you’d like to attend. Respond politely, outlining your availability and asking any key questions you’d like to know beforehand.
Research the company thoroughly.
For an interviewer, nothing says enthusiasm like a clear, demonstrable interest in the business. So wherever you’re applying, the first step should be a deep dive into the company website and social channels. Get to know the products, people, mission and vision of the company thoroughly – these will help you tailor your answers, demonstrate interest and make your bid for the big job even more credible.
Study the job description.
Next up is to revisit the job description. What key skills are they seeking? What experience can you bring to the table? You can use these to align yourself to the role and offer the responses that closely match their expectations.
Prepare your CV and cover letter.
Your CV and cover letter aren’t just for the initial application – they’re central to interview prep too. Use yours to pin down your most relevant achievements, case studies and any other stand-out points you might want to raise on the day.
Develop your examples and stories.
Competency-based interviews are often favoured by employers to encourage employees to talk about previous experience, rather than hypothetical scenarios. In short, your interview panel will ask you for specific occasions when you have demonstrated a particular skill or quality, or have achieved something in your previous career.
The best way to prepare for this is to go through your CV and cover letter and turn your achievements into stories and scenarios following the STAR format – situation, task, action, result. Make sure each of these case studies tells a compelling story with clear results – and practice them so you can deliver them aloud. Flashcards are a great way forward here.
Write questions for the interviewers.
A good way to show your engagement in the role and the company is to write down a few questions for your interviewers. This shows you’re thinking carefully about the position, demonstrates a degree of critical thinking, and also can help you work out whether the role is really for you. Try to avoid questions that could be answered by simple company research – as this can appear unprofessional.
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The week before: final preparation steps.
You’ve got one week left, and as the day draws closer, anxiety may start to trickle in. What do you do to soothe those jitters?
Confirm all interview details.
First, it’s a good idea to check and re-check the interview details so you know exactly what, where and when to attend. Find your email invite, note down the date, time and format of the interview (i.e., in person, phone, online). Find the names of your interviewers and get it all noted on your calendar apps or other organisers. Finally, set yourself a reminder so you don’t miss any calls or oversleep – you’ll thank us later.
Plan your route and travel time.
If your interview is in-person, then it’s important to know exactly where you’re going. Open Google Maps and work out the travel time, route and any other key details. This will save you flapping on the day. If you’re taking a remote interview, make sure to test your camera, mic, internet and other tech beforehand.
Prepare your materials.
Prior to the day, it’s handy to print out your CV, cover letter and job description and stash them in a folder. Then, get a nice, clean notebook and pen to work with. If required, a copy of your portfolio is super handy to talk through experience and work examples.
Prepare your outfit.
Suits, ties, heels and office formalwear aren’t always required these days – but clean, smart and professional clothing is expected for any interview. Whether you’re interviewing as a bank manager or a band manager, make sure you have chosen your clothes the night before, ironed them carefully, and laid them out ready for the next day. It will save you a lot of faff the following morning.
Get a good night's sleep.
Finally, don’t forget that a well-rested interviewee is a more relaxed, personable, awake and competent interviewee. Avoid late nights in the run-up to the big day and get a good night’s kip beforehand. You’ll feel better for it.
The day of your interview: what to do before you arrive.
The alarm buzzes – today is the day. Here’s what you should do from when you get up, to when you finally take a seat in the interview.
Eat a proper breakfast.
While the old adage “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” is debatable, it’s a very important meal on this particular day. Make sure you’re well fed and alert for the day ahead – but don’t overdo it with heavy food or caffeine.
Arrive early.
It’s important to visualise success: in your mind’s eye, can you see a sweating, panting, stressed-out applicant with a twisted ankle who arrived 20 minutes late getting the job? Or do you envisage a calm, smartly-dressed, punctual professional landing the role? We suspect the latter might have the edge, so make sure to leave plenty of time to get to the interview. You should aim to get there about 10-15 minutes early.
Take deep breaths and calm your nerves.
Once you arrive, it’s time to take some deep, cleansing breaths. These will reduce your heart rate, calm your nervous system and lower your cortisol levels. You are prepared, you are qualified – you can do this.
Silence your phone.
It’s almost go-time. Last thing before you’re summoned to the belly of the beast – AKA the vacant meeting room chosen by your interviewers – is to put your phone on silent. No quiet ringtone, no vibrate. This will save you from being thrown off course.
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Interview tips, etiquette, professional conduct.
It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for – so how do you bring your best self?
Handshakes, greetings, and body language.
First impressions are everything, especially in person. When you arrive to your interview space, be sure to smile, make eye contact and greet the interviewers warmly. There’s a lot of talk about firm handshakes – but don’t be a bone-crushing cave troll.
Listen more than you talk.
When you take a seat, try not to fidget too much. It’s also important to listen carefully to questions and not interrupt – believe us, your time will come to talk. When the interviewers have finished asking their question, there’s no need to rush. Pause, take a breath and think about what you’re going to say. You might find it helpful to write down the question – this is a good processing method, and also allows you a bit of extra time.
Avoid these common mistakes.
There are a few key things to avoid in your response. Try not to use filler words if you can help it – words like “like”, “um”, “you know” – as they can muddy your message. If you’re asked about your current role, make sure to be positive and professional about your workplace.
Be authentic and personable.
If you’ve got this far, you must have something about you the interviewers are interested in. So make sure to be your authentic self. For example, if the conversation turns to an area you’re unfamiliar in, there’s no need to exaggerate or lie, as interviewers can often see through this. Instead, just show you’re eager to learn.
Mind your language and tone.
It’s understandable to be nervous in a meeting – but don’t let the nerves get the better of you. All you need to do is take your time, take a deep breath and treat the interview as a two-way conversation, rather than a one-way grilling. That said, don’t be overly chatty – be sure to match the tone and energy in the room. That way, they’ll know you can fit in.
Show enthusiasm and personality.
Tone is everything. Be sure to convey real enthusiasm and interest for the position, and gratitude for being considered. To do this, vary your intonation, smile and maintain eye contact throughout.
Use STAR.
Remember the STAR method – situation, task, action, result. Formatting your experience this way helps you weave a narrative around your achievement – outlining not simply things you have done, but how and why you did them, and what they achieved.
Ask thoughtful questions.
As we discussed earlier, don’t forget to ask questions to the panel to show your interest in the role, team, company culture and opportunities for development. This will also allow you a bit of a respite.
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Tips for different interview formats.
Of course, interviews aren’t always in person. Here are a few tips on how to nail different formats.
Phone interview tips.
Phone interviews often serve as a preliminary stage to in-person sessions, and might remove some of the pressure of attending IRL – but that doesn’t mean they’re an easy ride. Remember to find a quiet location with a crystal clear phone signal. Get a laptop set up with your CV, cover letter, job description and any relevant notes, just in case. We don’t need to tell you to close social media, emails and other distractions while the interview is going on (we hope).
Video interview tips.
Video interviews are something of a middleman between in-person and phone sessions. Anyone who works from home will know the drill by now: make sure you check your camera, have good lighting and have a professional background.
Although you might be sat in your kitchen, you’ll still need to dress appropriately – and that’s from head to toe, rather than the classic smart upper half, casual lower half we may have become accustomed to in WFH. Top tip: look at the camera, not the person on your screen.
Group interview tips.
Group interviews can offer a mix of people on both sides of the panel. You may be asked to collaborate in teams, or present back to a wider group. Whatever the setup, it’s important to listen actively to other candidates, contribute thoughtfully and avoid dominating. While this can seem like a way to show confidence, it can come across as pushy. Be sure to add to the team dynamic.
Internal interview tips.
Internal interviews can be a tricky prospect. You’ll want to progress but need to be respectful of your current role. Your panel know your work intimately, which can make it harder to give a selective, panel-friendly view of your career. But like any interview, the trick is to be honest and play to your strengths: double down on your successes, be clear about your desire to grow, and demonstrate a clear commitment to your business.
After the interview: following up and next steps.
And relax. You’re done – or almost, anyway. After the interview is finished, a few bits of “aftercare” can go a long way.
Say thank you.
A quick thank you email to each interviewer can be a great way to show your professionalism and courtesy. It can also help you stay top of their mind as an applicant.
Reflect.
Any particular successes, or areas you could improve? Now’s the time to jot them down so you can remember for next time.
Respect the schedule.
If your interviewer has said they’ll be in touch by Friday and you don’t hear anything, give it a few more days. After that, a polite follow-up email is perfectly reasonable.
How can Adobe Express help you prepare for interviews?
Adobe Express is a great tool for interview prep, job applications and more. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Create a professional CV that gets you noticed.
Craft a compelling cover letter.
Build a digital portfolio.
Create a professional CV and cover letter with Adobe Express.
A great CV and cover letter is your gateway to your dream job. With Adobe Express, creating them is easier than ever. Use AI-powered templates, one-click customisation options and straightforward, professional, drag-and-drop formatting tools to make sure your USPs are front and centre. Start today, get applying, and knock ‘em dead.
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