After years of interviewing candidates on behalf of my clients, I can tell you this: the candidates who truly stand out aren’t always the ones with the perfect CVs or the most experience.
As a recruiter, I’ve seen thousands of interviews, and the difference between a good and great interview often comes down to the groundwork done beforehand.
I have represented candidates who are supremely confident in interviews, and many who are a bag of nerves! One thing is certain – preparation will help in both cases and everywhere in between. Remember – you are talking about the one thing you know better than anyone – yourself!
Here are my top tips to help you get ready and show up as your best self:
1. Research the Company – Properly
Please don’t just skim the homepage. I can’t tell you how often I’ve asked, “What do you know about us/our client?” and been met with a vague reply.
👉 Dive into their website, know what they do of course, but go further:
- Look at recent news, blog posts, or press releases.
- Check their LinkedIn page and see what content they’re sharing.
- Understand their mission, values, and what makes them different from competitors.
If you can talk confidently about the company’s direction, culture, or recent initiatives, you immediately come across as someone who’s genuinely interested.
2. Review the Role Profile Thoroughly
Don’t just glance at the job description – study it. Highlight the key responsibilities and required skills, then think about how your experience matches each one.
Prepare specific examples from your background that demonstrate your suitability. This not only shows you’ve done your homework but also makes your answers more convincing and relevant, and may help avoid the dreaded mental block during the interview!
3. Know Why You Want the Job
This is a big one. One of the most common interview questions is: “Why are you interested in this role?” If your answer sounds generic or half-hearted, it’s a red flag. Even worse, if you are talking to a recruiter like me, please don’t say, “can you remind me which job this is – I have applied for so many”!
Think about:
- What excites you about the company or role?
- How does this position fit into your long-term career goals?
- What unique strengths can you bring to the team?
Candidates who answer this authentically tend to leave a lasting impression.
4. Know Your CV – And Be Ready to Talk Through It
You’d be surprised how many candidates get caught off guard by their own CVs. Make sure you’ve reviewed your CV recently and can comfortably talk through each role you’ve had — especially the most recent ones.
✅ Be concise but informative. You should be able to explain your responsibilities, key achievements, and reasons for any job moves in a clear and confident way.
✅ Highlight impact, not just duties. Rather than just listing tasks, talk about the value you added — use metrics where possible (e.g., “increased efficiency by 20%”, “managed a £500k project budget”, etc.).
✅ Be honest and consistent. Interviewers will often ask you to elaborate on things you’ve written, so make sure everything on your CV is accurate and that you’re prepared to discuss it.
A great way to practice is to rehearse a short summary of each job — 30 to 60 seconds max — covering what you did, who you did it for, and what the outcome was.
5. Practice Using the STAR Technique
STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result — and it’s hands-down the best way to answer competency-based questions (which most interviews will include).
Instead of rambling or going off on a tangent, STAR keeps you structured and focused:
- Situation: Set the scene. Describe the context – who you were working for, with and who was working for you.
- Task: Explain what needed to be done and why.
- Action: Describe what you did. Try to avoid using the word ‘we’ and focus on what your role was. This takes practice! As humans we often don’t want to sound over confident or take credit from our colleagues so this can be a challenge but being clear about what YOU did, will help the interviewers really understand your work experience.
- Result: Share what happened, ideally with measurable outcomes. Remember the ‘so what’ – what did I achieve, how did I measure success?
If you panic and choose the wrong example, feel free to say so and start again, likewise, you can always ask for a few moments to choose the best example – no need to rush. Interviewers want to count you in, not out, so they want to hear the best of you.
Practicing a few STAR examples in advance can make a huge difference in your confidence and clarity.
6. Prepare Questions for the Interviewers
Here’s something that some candidates struggle with — asking great questions. Not just because it’s expected, but because it’s an opportunity to show your curiosity, values, and enthusiasm for the role.
Good questions can:
- Help you understand if this job is the right fit for you (interviews should be a two way process after all!)
- Show the interviewer you’re seriously considering how you’d fit into their team
- Leave a lasting impression
Here are some examples:
✅ About the Role:
- What does success look like in this role in the first 6–12 months?
- What are the biggest challenges someone in this position might face?
✅ About the Team and Culture:
- Can you tell me more about the team I’d be working with?
- How would you describe the company culture here?
✅ About Growth and Development:
- What opportunities are there for professional development or career progression?
- How do you support employees in achieving their career goals?
✅ About the Business:
- What are the company’s priorities over the next year?
- How has the company evolved in recent years, and where is it headed?
✅ For the Interviewer Personally:
- What do you enjoy most about working here?
- What made you choose this company, and what keeps you here?
Avoid questions about salary or holiday allowances in a first interview (unless you’re explicitly invited to discuss them) or things you should already know like – what do you do here?
7. Plan Your Journey – and Check Out the Site
If it’s an in-person interview, don’t wait until the day to figure out where you’re going. Know the address, how to get there, and how long it’ll take — including parking or public transport details. Aim to arrive 10–15 minutes early.
Better still, if possible, do a trial run. It shows you’re taking the opportunity seriously and removes stress on the day.
If you are worried about dress code – ask. Don’t add this to your list of things to be nervous about.
Even if it’s a virtual interview, make sure your tech is working, your background is tidy, and you won’t be interrupted.
Final Thought
Interview success isn’t about luck or even always about having the best experience — it’s about preparation. The candidates who prepare with intention not only answer better but feel better. Confidence comes from knowing you’ve done the work.
So, invest the time, prepare properly, and go in ready to show them why you are the right fit.
Good luck — not that you’ll need it if you prepare this well!