Do you have an interview scheduled soon? 

Are you worried about how to act in front of a recruiter? 

Don’t you have any idea of what to say or how to prepare yourself?

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Interviews can be stressful even if you are the most relaxed person ever. You’re meeting someone who you don’t know; they will ask some questions you may not be prepared for and, at times, even go into detail about your work or expertise in projects you thought wouldn’t be covered during the interview.

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While there is not a perfect guide for all interviews and for all fields, there are a couple of things that you can do for that interview to go well for you.

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With that in mind, I bring you 10 ways to be ready for your next interview, and this applies to face-to-face or online interviews, no matter the field.

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Before telling you 10 ways to be ready, keep in mind something even more important. Usually questions just come from 3 possible channels:

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Your CV, The job-description (or requirements of the company for the job) and something related to the company. You can also cover them all with the following 10 steps.

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1. Know the company and the vacancy

Start by looking for information about the company, its history, culture, and values, trying to understand in detail the vacancy you are applying for. According to our experience, more than half of the success in an interview is based on a prepared and direct speech. Believe it or not, a lot of candidates don’t even visit the website of the company before an interview.

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2. Be Authentic

You shouldn’t adopt a different behavior from the one in which you believe but try to adapt all academic and professional experiences to the vacancy in question. Simple, but something difficult. 

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3. Take care of your image

Try to have a careful image that fits the context. The style of clothing to be used depends on the nature of the company and the job. If the interview takes place using digital video conferencing tools, such as Zoom or Teams, it is important to ensure not only that the internet signal is good but also that the space is well-lit and has little noise. Test your setup before; you won’t regret it.

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4. Prepare answers to common questions

The worst that can happen is not knowing what to say in a job interview. So practicing the answers to some frequently asked questions in job interviews will help you feel more confident and prepared. If you don’t know an answer, it is also fine to say “I don’t know” and try to guess with the information you have. Admitting that you don’t know something is also valuable for a lot of companies.

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5. Know the rules of etiquette

How to behave in a job interview? Etiquette is very important. Starting with punctuality. Also remember to greet the receptionist, your interviewer — and everyone you meet — with politeness, pleasure, and enthusiasm. Here are some body language tips for your job interview:

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• firm handshake
• make eye contact when articulating your response
• pay attention
• do not interrupt the interviewer
• keep your back straight
• make a neutral expression

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6. Try to capture the attention with Storytelling

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1. Start by thanking the interviewer for inviting you.
2. Speak in an organized way, keeping the recruiter’s attention. 
3. If you’re starting in the world of work, talk about your academic experience and areas of expertise and go chronologically. Keep your story logic.
4. Also, creating a powerful storytelling instead of stating facts will give you an edge on other candidates.  
5. If you are a professional with an extensive curriculum, show your expertise in the job market, especially the most recent experience. 
6. Mention examples of your results, where you create more impact for your previous companies, and what you like to do.

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7. Keep calm

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During the job interview, try to relax and be as calm as possible. (I know, easier said than done.)

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Start by arriving early at the interview location if it’s an in-person interview. It if it is online, join the call before (if they allow you to enter the call link first) or create a quick call and test your setup (if the sound and video are working).

This way you will have time to breathe, relax, and remember some of the important points you would like to convey. 

Before starting the interview, visualize yourself having an excellent conversation where you give clear and concise answers, impressing the interviewer.

If you’re nervous, remember that the interviewer might be too. When entering, make a natural smile to relieve tension. If you feel your hands shaking, place them in your lap. Starting an interview nervously is natural, but ending an interview nervously is not so much.

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8. Ask questions about the company and the job

In front of the interviewer, try to adopt a positive attitude that demonstrates availability and flexibility on your part. 

Don’t share confidential information about previous employers or colleagues, or criticize the companies you’ve been to. 

Don’t deceive the interviewer by making statements about realities you don’t know — sooner or later, it will end up having adverse effects.

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Also, don’t leave an interview without asking at least 2 questions. Even if everything was clear to you, try to have 1 or 2 questions for the interviewer, as it shows interest in the role and the company. And sometimes, asking these questions is a good way to attract the interviewer’s attention.

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Remember, there are no good and bad questions so ask away, a recruiter/interviewer is there to clarify things and an interview is a two-way street, they ask questions about you and your experience, you ask them questions about the conditions, position, team, and more.

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9. Reinforce your availability for further clarifications

Don’t end the conversation without emphasizing your availability to clarify doubts or even to research a topic that was mentioned in the interview. You can also confirm if the recruiter has your contacts and if you need any extra info.

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10. After the interview, be proactive

If the recruiter has given you a deadline for responding, wait until the deadline before contacting him. If it has not been defined, wait a week to approach the company again.

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Also, don’t forget to thank the interviewer a couple of hours after the interview took place. It shows an extra level of care about the time you spent in the interview and believe me, few people do this and it can make a difference whether you stay top of mind or not for a recruiter or interviewer.