25 tips to boost your interview performance

Ever wondered why your friend with zero certifications got hired on the spot while you kept hearing “We will let you know in two weeks”? Winning an interview isn’t only about listing a hundred different credentials on your resume. Sometimes, getting through an interview is all about impressing your interviewer.

Your personality, attitude, communication skills, and people skills are all assessed when you face a panel of interviewers. If you can’t engage them in a meaningful conversation, your interview might be doomed from the very beginning.

This is why preparation is important for every applicant planning to face an interview. If you have the biggest interview of your life lined up tomorrow and are feeling those pre-interview jitters, sit yourself down on a comfy chair and read on to go through the best interview tip collection of all time.

1.Punctuality is key

Go to the interview location at least 10-15 minutes early. Chances are your interviewers would be monitoring the waiting room to see who turns up late.

2.Find out the names of your interviewers beforehand

Call the company ahead of your interview to get the names, spelling, and pronunciation of your interview panel’s names. This will help you look more interested in the job and also will help you avoid awkward mispronunciations on the interview day.

3.Is your nonverbal communication good? Practice

Your posture, gait, eye contact, handshake, and every little nonverbal cue will matter during the interview. Practice them at home before you walk in the door on the interview day.

4.Prepare a list of questions to ask after the interview

Every interviewer will ask you “Do you have any questions for us?” You should prepare some questions to inquire about the job, job role, company, company culture, and everything else you want to know.

5.Arrive well groomed

You don’t need to look like a star on the red carpet, but you need to have good personal grooming to make a worthwhile first impression.

6.Make more than one copy of your resume

It’s wise to take a few copies of your resume when you go to an interview. If you are a recent graduate, you can take along a copy of your transcript too.

7.Take a notepad and pen with you

You can jot down key details of your interview in your interview notebook. Always ask for permission to note something down if you plan to take notes during the interview. Otherwise, it is better to wait until after the interview to start writing things down.

8.Dress for the job you want

Waltzing in with a casual dress may boost your confidence but it will strike you out as a desirable choice in the interviewer’s mind. Dress professionally to suit the company and the job for which you are applying.

9.Greet your interviewers appropriately

A firm handshake and smile used to be the golden standard of interview greetings. However, the recent rise in Covid cases suggests it is better to go back to contact-less greetings. Whichever greeting you use, make sure to maintain eye contact with your interviewer.

10.Follow the interviewer’s lead

Some interviewers jump in straight to the questions while others prefer to get to know you a little with small talk. Hold yourself back for a moment to see where the interviewer leads the conversation before you start talking.

11.Be concise when answering questions

This doesn’t mean you have to give curt, monosyllabic answers. Avoid talking too much when answering your interviewer’s questions.

12.It’s okay to be nervous

Everyone gets a little nervous during their interview. If you feel yourself getting anxious, take a few deep breaths to calm you down. Every interview is an experience for you to learn from. There’s no need for you to be embarrassed about your nervousness.

13.Tell imposter syndrome to take a day off

When those feelings of doubt creep up and you begin to feel like a fraud, recognize what is happening. You are a competent individual who came this far. Your skills and experiences are proof of your ability. Don’t let your mind spiral into those crazy doubts.

14.Don’t lose your focus

There will be questions that throw you off of your balance. If your weaknesses regarding work experience get exposed, try to lead the interview towards your strengths and what you bring to the company. You can mention your education, skills, and other abilities to highlight your worth.

15.Don’t overstep your boundary

Just because the interviewer started the convo off with a joke doesn’t necessarily mean should fire one back at them. Match the energy and demeanor of the interviewer but take care not to cross your line as a candidate.

16.Always be honest

Honesty is the best policy for any interview. Flimsy lies about past jobs and expertise in a skill are highly likely to get exposed during the interview. Avoid yourself a truckload of embarrassment by being honest upfront.

17.Try not to be too desperate

Of course, you need this job badly. But don’t show it too much. Be cool, calm, and confident through your interview. But don’t be too aloof or you may seem cold to the interviewer.

18.Clarify the interviewer’s questions before you answer

You should listen attentively to everything the interviewer says. If there is something you can’t properly hear or understand, ask them for clarification. Using your own words to restate something can help you know whether you grasped the meaning.

19.Don’t talk bad about the previous employer

There will be questions about why you left a previous job or how you were treated by someone at a different company. Avoid mentioning anything unfavorable about your previous employer. Interviewers will take this as a sign of loyalty.

20.Use good language

Your ability to communicate will be tested during the interview. Try your best to adhere to good grammar and avoid using slang terms. Use professional language even if your fluency is low in that department.

21.Don’t give them attitude

You may have practiced your power poses in front of the mirror, but don’t try them out on the interview panel. Overconfidence is often considered to be an inferior quality in a candidate.

22.Have a strategy to deal with personal questions

Most personal questions are illegal in the US during interviews. However, there is still a chance you might get asked personal questions. Prepare how you would answer such a question without letting it affect your professional composure.

23.Some employers don’t like it when you ask about salary and benefits

Wait for the interviewer’s lead when it comes to salary discussions. If it doesn’t come up during the interview, you can use the time they allocate for your questions to inquire.

24.Be aware of the hiring process of the employer

Most companies don’t hire with only one interview in the present day. You would have to face different interviews such as HR interviews and technical interviews before you get hired. So, adjust your expectations accordingly.

25.Inquire about the next step

When you close the interview, be sure to ask what happens next. Then you can take your leave on a positive note.

26.Thank the interviewer(s)

Never forget to thank your interviewers for their time and interest. Greet them warmly with a smile despite how the interview went. You can choose to shake hands or a practice contactless greeting before you leave the interview room.

27.Follow up on your interview

Draft a well-written thank you email or letter for your interviewers promptly after the interview. You should send the thank you email while your memory is still fresh in their memory, not a week later.