Job interview tips for any industry

You landed the interview. That’s the hard part. But the next phase is equally as important. The best job interview tips all point to the same underlying truth: No matter what field you’re in, or what role you’re vying for, the key to success is preparation.

Here are a few tips to help you put your best foot forward.

Do your research

Know who you’ll be meeting with, what the organization does, and be able to articulate why you want to work there. The company’s website and social media channels will have all the information you need.

If you’re interviewing for a specific role, reread the job posting the night before and think about how your background and experiences line up with what they’re asking for. The goal is to be able to explain, in your own words, why you want the role and why you’re the best person for it.

Prepare for common interview questions

It’s impossible to predict every question, but there are a few that always come up:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why do you want this job?
• What’s a challenge you faced, and how did you handle it?
• Where do you see yourself in a few years?

Write out short answers ahead of time, two or three sentences each, and practice saying them out loud. A strong answer here sets the tone for the rest of the conversation.

Come with your own questions, too!

Here’s the thing so many people forget about this process: The interview goes both ways. Don’t miss the opportunity to ask about the team, the day-to-day work, or what success in the role actually looks like. That shows you’re actually thinking about the job long-term, not just trying to get through the initial meeting.

Dress for the interview

When in doubt, dress a notch above what you think the job requires. It indicates to the employer that you’re taking the opportunity seriously.

That’s true even when interviewing for healthcare roles where you’d be wearing scrubs on a daily basis. Plan to show up in clean, professional clothes—think business casual—unless you’re told otherwise.

Pro tip: Choose your outfit the night before. It’s one less thing to think about when you wake up on the morning of your interview.

Show up early, not just on time

Factor in some extra time to find the location, deal with unexpected traffic, or settle your nerves. Arriving five to 10 minutes early looks calm, intentional. Arriving right at the wire looks rushed, even if you’re not.

If the interview is virtual, “showing up early” means logging in a few minutes early, checking your camera and microphone, and closing out any other tabs or apps so you don’t get a random pop-up notification mid-interview.

Pay attention to your body language

Think back to your parents reminding you to sit up straight, make eye contact, speak clearly. All of that matters, and the small things do add up—a firm handshake, a genuine smile, nodding along as the interviewer talks are all signals that speak as loudly as your actual answers.

And don’t forget to silence your phone and put it away before you even enter the building.

Be honest about what you don’t know

You aren’t going to have every answer, so don’t set that expectation for yourself. If you’re asked about something you haven’t done, say so, but reframe the question by talking about how you’d approach learning it.

Honesty reads as confidence. Guessing does not.

This is especially true if you’re changing careers or entering a field for the first time. You don’t need a perfect track record. Show that you’re willing to learn, and trust that you have the skills you need to be successful. You landed the interview for a reason.

Follow up after the interview

A short thank-you note goes a long way—and you can absolutely send it via email. Make sure to do it within a day of the interview, and mention something specific from the conversation to show you were paying attention. It’s a great (but often overlooked) way to keep your name in front of the people making the decisions.

Job interview tips only work when you use them

Interviews are stressful no matter how experienced you are. That doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. You’re putting yourself out there, and nerves are a natural part of that process.

Remember that perfection isn’t the goal. All you need to do is walk in knowing you’ve done the work to prepare, and you did your best. That’s always something to be proud of.