Learn what our career expert has to share about how to shine in your interview

When on the hunt for your dream job, getting ahead of the applicant pack is tough. Our resident career expert, Amanda Augustine, previously sat down with SheerLuxe to share her thoughts on how candidates can really stand out in one of the most crucial parts of the job hiring process. Let's take a look at five of her top tips on how to impress in an interview:

1. Take control

Nervous about an upcoming job interview? That's totally normal. If you aren't feeling a twinge of apprehension, your heart's probably not set on the position. It's only when nerves affect your behaviour and make you appear less confident that they become a problem.

To steer clear of the “shrinking violet trap,” you need to take control. That means radiating positivity, speaking confidently of your attributes and laying out clearly ‒ and without equivocation ‒ why you're right for the role.

This, of course, should be conducted politely and without arrogance. The aim is to portray yourself as an assertive go-getter, not an obtrusive bully. When it comes to how to impress in an interview, the last thing you want is to come across as too overbearing. 

2. Focus on the role's key success factors

Nailing the case for why you'd be great in the current opening is fundamental in an interview, but don't be afraid to ask about future prospects. Enquiring about your potential growth and contributions to the role, without appearing presumptive about landing the role, can really impress an employer.

“I love when candidates ask the following question: 'If I was hired for this role, what would a successful first year look like to you? What are the key things you'd like to see me achieve?'” Augustine shared during her interview.

“This question impresses me for a few reasons. It shows me that the interviewee is confident in their ability to get the job and is genuinely interested not only in their own development, but in helping me and my team succeed,” she added.

3. Say something specific

The “Tell me about yourself” question is about as common as it gets with interviews, but it's deceptively tricky to answer as well. 

Naturally, most candidates will start listing off their various attributes and qualifications. As this information can all be found on their CVs, they do little to demonstrate the specificity that recruiters are after. 

You should instead be linking your experience to the given role. Explaining why you're personally well-suited to the position is one way of making a great impression in an interview.

When doing this, it's easy to wander down an irrelevant path. Anecdotes that demonstrate your professional aptitude are fine, but babbling away about family, friends and holiday plans – however charming ‒ will put a recruiter right off. In short, keep your spiel specific!

4. Take it seriously ‒ and stay calm

Nothing turns off a prospective employer like a candidate who's not willing to give their all. If you're emitting a half-hearted vibe, you can kiss that job goodbye. In short, take it seriously!

Knowing how to impress in an interview means putting in the prep time, familiarising yourself with the company's history and ethos, investigating thoroughly what the role involves, and coming equipped with questions of your own. If you're applying for a junior role, treat it like an interview for an intermediate position. If it's a mid-level job you're pursuing, approach the sit-down as you would a top-tier opening.

Crucially, however, don't let this quest for sincerity dampen your enthusiasm and energy. Above all, don't pile too much pressure on yourself ‒ focus on remaining calm and collected.

5. Be a good listener

It's all well and good knowing what to say in a job interview, but you've also got to know when to button up and simply listen. The hiring manager has important things that they want to share with you. Now's your chance to show them that you have what it takes to pay attention.

Being a good listener conveys a positive sense of conscientiousness and shows your ability to absorb information and follow instructions. Listening is also key to effective teamwork; illustrating your powers of silence in an interview goes a long way in showing your potential in a group setting.

Remember, a good listener isn't just about biting your tongue when others are talking ‒ it's about engaging mentally with what's being said and reflecting on your response. So don't let your mind wander the moment your mouth stops moving! When it's your turn to speak again, be sure to respond with specifics that show you were really listening, not just waiting to recite your rehearsed answer.

Related FAQs

We've covered some tips on how to impress in an interview, but it doesn't end there. Here are quick answers to some of the most frequently asked questions related to leaving a positive mark on your interviewer:

What are the 5 C's of interviewing?

The five C's of interviewing are Competence, Communication, Confidence, Character, and Curiosity. Making sure that you bring each of these to the table is a quick way to boost your chances of job-search success. 

Is it bad to bring notes to an interview?

While it's not inherently “bad” to bring notes to an interview, you don't want to rely on them. Instead, make sure that you're well-prepared for the most common interview questions. 

Make a strong impression

As we've discussed, understanding how to impress in an interview requires a certain degree of legwork, and all of these efforts will not go unnoticed by the interviewer. With our practical tips, standing out should be simple. Remember, however, that successful candidates don't just adopt one or two good practices; they blend them all into a flawless performance. So take control, focus on your development, stay specific, take the interview seriously, and listen closely… and your career progression dreams will soon be a reality!

Before you can impress in an interview, you need to impress with your CV. Find out where you stand with our free CV review.

This article was originally written by Alasdair Lane and has been updated by Charlotte Grainger.

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