22 Proven Job Interview Tips to Help You Ace It & Get Hired

The job interview can be a nerve-wracking process, but if you prepare yourself, you’ll have a better chance of convincing employers that you’re the best candidate for the job.

We know getting to this point already requires tremendous effort; in our State of the Job Search report, 44% of surveyed job seekers said they hadn’t landed a single interview in the previous month. In another report, we had 1,400 applications pour in for a single visual designer role. So if you’ve made it this far, whether by yourself or with the help of our tools, congrats. You’ve earned a seat at the table. But it’s time to lock in again, because you’ve still got the final lap.

We’re here to help you finish first. From the heaps of insights we’ve gathered into ‘the interview’ itself from our constant interaction with recruiters, hiring managers and career coaches, here’s our distilled list of 22 job interview tips to nail the interview and cross the finish line.

For the full breakdown of each tip — including what to research, how to structure your answers, what to wear, how to handle the salary question, and what to do in a virtual interview — read on.

How can I prepare before the interview?

Tip #1 – Learn about the company

The first step in preparing for a job interview is to research the company you are interviewing with. In one survey, 47% of hiring managers said that they would NOT offer the job to someone who didn’t know much about the company. So don’t skip this step!

The best way to research a company is to review its website and search for news articles or blog posts about it. Try to learn about the company’s product, business model, values, and the challenges it’s facing.

Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to ask more informed questions during the interview.

Read the full guide: How to Research a Company for an Interview

Tip #2 – Review the job posting

There are a few key reasons why you should always review the job posting before an interview:

Re-reading the job description can be especially helpful if you’ve been interviewing for multiple positions and start to feel like they’re all starting to blur together.

Track your job search all in one place

To help keep things organized, consider using Jobscan’s job tracker. It’s a free tool that allows you to track and manage your job applications and interviews all in one place.

Track your job search

Tip #3 – Practice answering common interview questions

The following are some of the most common questions asked by interviewers. Practice answering them in a way that focuses on your strengths while remaining honest.

Read the full guide: How to Answer Common Interview Questions

Tip #4 – Prepare questions for the interviewer

Interviews aren’t one-way; they are also your chance to glean information you can’t get from the job listing. Instead of freezing when the hiring manager turns the floor over to you, prepare a strategic list of questions to prove you’ve done your homework and are evaluating them just as hard as they are evaluating you.

Tip #5 – Prepare stories using the STAR method

When an interviewer asks, “Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult colleague,” they’re not just making conversation. They’re pattern-matching your past behavior to predict your future performance.

There’s data behind this approach: in our recruiter survey, 58.18% of recruiters said measurable achievements are what make a candidate stand out. Numbers that impress them on your resume will impress them in your answers too.

Example: Instead of saying, “I helped my team through a tough product launch,” try: “When our lead developer quit three weeks before launch, I restructured the sprint plan and brought in a freelance contractor overnight. We shipped on time, and the product generated $200K in its first month.”

Before your interview, prepare three to five STAR stories that cover your biggest wins and toughest challenges. One story can flex to answer multiple behavioral questions—making them the most versatile tool in your preparation arsenal.

How do I get ready on the day of the interview?

Tip #6 – Arrive 10-15 minutes early

Arriving 10-15 minutes early for a job interview is a good way to make a positive first impression on your interviewer. This will give you time to fill out any paperwork and get settled in before the interview begins.

Don’t arrive too early! This can be seen as intrusive and make the interviewer feel uncomfortable, so aim to arrive slightly early.

Tip #7 – Dress appropriately

One common piece of advice is to “dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” In other words, it is generally best to err on the side of being too dressy, rather than too casual.

A good rule of thumb is to dress one step up from what is considered normal for the workplace. So, if jeans and a polo shirt are considered acceptable attire at the company, you would wear slacks and a button-down shirt to your interview.

Avoid wearing anything that is too revealing, controversial, or distracting. You want the interviewer to focus on your qualifications, not your clothing.

Tip #8 – Bring copies of your resume, references, a pen, and a notebook

There are a few essential items that you should always bring with you to an interview.

First, be sure to bring several copies of your resume. The person or people interviewing you might want a copy, and you can also refer to your resume if you need specific examples.

Next, be sure to bring a list of references. These can be professional references or personal references, but they should be people who can attest to your skills and abilities.

Finally, bring a notebook and pen so that you can take notes during the interview. This will not only show that you’re serious about the job, but it will also help you remember important details about the position.

Tip #9- The 15-minute pre-interview mental routine

Everything you studied the night before means little if you walk in scattered and anxious. The 15 minutes before your interview are the most important window you have. Here’s how to use them:

How do I nail the job interview itself?

Tip #10 – Smile and make eye contact

Smiling and making eye contact during a job interview shows that you’re confident, engaged, and interested in the position. It also conveys that you’re friendly and easy to talk to – two qualities that are always valued in the workplace.

Just how important is it to smile and make eye contact? According to a survey, 65% of recruiters said that they would reject candidates who didn’t make enough eye contact, while 40% of recruiters thought that a lack of a smile was a good enough reason not to hire them!

Tip #11 – Don’t come across as arrogant

While it is essential to exude confidence during your interview, you don’t want to come across as cocky or entitled. Arrogance will alienate the interviewer and damage your chances of being hired.

In fact, according to a survey of hiring managers, 76% of respondents say they would reject a candidate who is arrogant.

Tip #12 – Be concise in your answers

Many of us tend to talk too much when we’re nervous. During your interview, avoid going off on tangents and instead focus on answering questions in a clear and concise way.

This will show that you have the ability to effectively communicate your ideas and opinions, which is an important skill in any job.

Tip #13 – Read the interviewer’s body language

You’re being evaluated in the interview—but you’re also in a position to evaluate. A sharp candidate doesn’t just manage their own body language; they read the room and adapt in real time.

The goal isn’t to analyze every micro-expression. It’s to stay present enough to adjust in real time—which is a skill every interviewer is quietly evaluating, whether they know it or not.

Tip #14 – Tie your answers to the job requirements

It’s important to remember that, in a job interview, you are not just selling yourself as a person – you’re also selling your ability to do the job.

This isn’t just good to keep in mind — it’s how recruiters think. According to Jobscan’s recruiter survey, 76.4% of recruiters filter candidates by skills from the job description, and 55.3% use job titles as keywords. The same criteria they use to find your resume in the ATS are the criteria they’re evaluating in your answers.

With that in mind, every question you answer should be focused on demonstrating how your background and experience have prepared you to excel in the role you’re applying for. To do that effectively, you need to be able to tie your answers back to the requirements listed in the job description.

By providing specific examples of solutions and results you’ve achieved, you’ll be able to show the interviewer that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the role.

Tip #15 – Don’t undersell your worth when fielding the salary question

One of the most common and difficult questions to answer in a job interview is, “What are your salary requirements?”

It’s natural to want to give a lowball number in order to get the job, but this can backfire if the employer is looking for someone who is more experienced. On the other hand, giving a high number may price you out of the job. So how can you handle this question without shooting yourself in the foot?

First, try to avoid giving a specific number. Instead, say something like, “I’m open to negotiation based on the job responsibilities.”

If pressed for a number, be honest but also try to emphasize your value. For example, you could say something like, “I’m currently making $50,000 at my job. I’m confident that I can bring a lot of value to your company and I’m hoping for a salary that reflects that.”

By being honest and emphasizing your value, you’re more likely to get the salary you deserve.

Read the full guide: How to Answer: What are Your Salary Expectations?

Tip #16 – Turn off your cell phone!

In a job interview, you only have a few short minutes to create a good impression and sell yourself as the best person for the job. But if you’re distracted by your phone, it’s all too easy to blow your chance.

A recent survey found that 90 percent of interviewers would disqualify a candidate if they simply touched their phones during an interview!

Among interview best practices, turning off your phone and putting it away is one of the most important. By staying focused and present, you’ll increase your chances of getting the job.

Tip #17 – Don’t badmouth a previous employer

Interviewers are always looking for red flags, and one of the biggest is when a candidate badmouths a former boss or company. While it’s important to be honest, you don’t want to come across as negative and petty.

After all, no job is perfect. Mature job candidates understand this, which is why they take responsibility for their own actions and don’t try to shift blame onto others.

Read the full guide: Real-Life Interview Blunders and How to Avoid Them

Tip #18 – Ask about the next steps at the end of the interview

Never leave the room wondering when you’ll hear back; end the conversation confidently by utilizing these questions to ask about next steps.

What if it’s a virtual interview?

Tip #19 – Tips for job interviews via Zoom

Video interviews are not a vanishing legacy of the pandemic; they’re here to stay. A collection of surveys shows that the overwhelming majority of hiring respondents have already incorporated it into their toolkit, with 93% of companies planning on using it indefinitely. It cuts costs, reduces time-to-hire, and is more convenient for both parties, even if 70% of Americans still prefer the human interaction of a face-to-face meeting.

In a world where you might be hit with a live video interview or a recorded, LLM-prompted video interview, here are the key differences in preparation compared to the in-person experience:

And don’t forget the phone interview! Despite the massive shift to video, phone interviews are still a go-to option for tech-sluggish industries, and are taking a more specialized role in the beginning of the recruiting process to quickly assess vitals for promising candidates.

Read the full guide for video: Zoom Interviews: 8 Tips for Your Video Interviews

How do I follow-up after the interview?

Tip #20 – Send a thank you note or email

After the interview, reach out to your interviewer and thank them for their time. This indicates that you are professional and courteous, and it may help you stand out from the other candidates.

The key to a successful follow-up note is to keep it brief and to the point. For example:

“Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview with you. I appreciate your time and I am very excited about the possibility of joining your team. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

If you don’t know the interviewer’s email address, you can send it to the human resources department and ask them to forward it.

Read the full guide: How to Write a Thank-You Email After an Interview

Tip #21 – Send a follow-up email

Don’t be afraid to touch base with the hiring manager if you haven’t heard back within a reasonable amount of time.

When reaching out, keep your communication professional and courteous. You don’t want to come across as desperate or pushy, but you do want to let the interviewer know that you’re still interested in the role and would like to know if they’ve made a decision. For example:

“I just wanted to check in and see if there was an update on the job opening. I’m still very interested and would love to know where things are at. Thanks!”

The best way to write an impactful “thank you” email is by using Jobscan’s

tool that has a built-in feature that generates one in seconds. After an interview, you can use it to send a personalized thank you note to maintain a positive connection with the interviewer.

After entering a few details, like interview type, contact details, and a few interview specific notes, you just click the blue “Thank You Note” button.

Read the full guide: How to Follow Up After an Interview

Tip #22 – Stay positive!

Job interviews can be daunting experiences, especially if you’re not used to them.

You’re not alone in feeling this way: fewer than 16% of job seekers told us they felt confident about finding a role that meets their needs. The job market is tough right now — but each conversation is a chance to build momentum.

The good news is that with each interview you’ll gain valuable experience and learn how to effectively sell yourself to potential employers. You’ll also become more comfortable with the format and the questions that are typically asked.

So if you’re feeling nervous about your next job interview, just remember that it’s all part of the process. The more job interviews you have, the better you’ll become at them!

How can I manage all of these job interviews?

When you’re sending out dozens of resumes, keeping track of every job posting saves you time and energy. Job Tracker helps you visualize your entire job search in a single dashboard. See your saved job opportunities, your applications, interviews, and offers.

Each opportunity card houses the job description, your optimized resume, your generated cover letter, interview details, and a section for notes.

You can even write an impactful “thank you” email by using Jobscan’s Job Tracker tool, which has a built-in feature that generates one in seconds. After an interview, you can use it to send a personalized thank you note and maintain a positive connection with the interviewer.

After entering a few details—like interview type, contact details, and a few interview-specific notes—just click the blue “Thank You Note” button. This step is shown in the image below.

In the image below, you can see the “thank you” email that was created in an instant. You can now use it to stand out after an interview. It will include the specific details you included, and you’ll be able to edit it as well.

Your notes section can hold any questions you want to ask the interviewer or note-worthy details from your company research. Having these notes on hand for your interview can help you form strong answers and impress your interviewer.