20+ Job Interview Tips to Get You Hired in 2024
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You got the interview, congrats! All that is left is to wow the hiring manager with charisma and outstanding qualifications. We have just what you need. Check out our job interview tips for before, during and after the interview, plus a few extras for virtual interviews!
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7 Tips to Prepare for a Job Interview
These preparation tips for a job interview will leave you confident and ready to ace the big meeting.
1. Learn everything you can about the company and the position
Researching the company will give you greater insight into its values, mission and culture. Read their website, social media accounts and news coverage to understand their products, services, competition and goals. Likewise, read the job description a few times to comprehend the ins and outs of the position. We also recommend researching similar roles in other companies to better understand the responsibilities and expectations.
All this information will help you answer the interview questions better and decide if the company and the position fit you.
2. Prepare to answer common interview questions
There are many common interview questions you can prepare for. We strongly suggest reviewing these five:
Tell me about yourself.
The goal of this answer is to be concise. Think of it like an elevator pitch. Provide a brief overview about yourself or your current job and work history while spotlighting key skills and accomplishments. Conclude your response with your career goals. Here’s an example:
“I’m passionate about fostering intellectual curiosity and academic excellence. With over two decades of teaching experience in literature and cultural studies, I’ve had the privilege to mentor and inspire countless students. My expertise lies in analyzing complex literary texts through interdisciplinary lenses, encouraging critical thinking and nuanced interpretation. Previously, I was the chair of the Department of English Literature at Prestige University, where I led initiatives to enhance curriculum relevance and student engagement. I’m committed to furthering my career goals of advancing scholarship, mentorship, and curriculum development within a dynamic academic environment.”
Why are you interested in this position?
Show them you’ve done your research by discussing those critical aspects of the position that spoke to you. Focus on the elements of the role that make it an excellent fit for you and tie it back to your credentials. Let’s continue with the professor example:
“I’m drawn to this position due to its emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and the opportunity to mentor aspiring scholars. The prospect of contributing to an institution renowned for its academic rigor and fostering intellectual curiosity aligns greatly with my professional aspirations. With my extensive experience in literature and cultural studies, I’m eager to engage with students and colleagues in dynamic discussions, further enriching the academic environment. This role presents an ideal platform for me to apply my expertise, nurture intellectual growth, and contribute meaningfully to the scholarly community.”
Why should we hire you?
The employer wants you to advocate for yourself. Touch on everything that makes you the perfect candidate: You’ll deliver fantastic results, perform the job duties correctly and fit well with the other team members. You might say:
“I have a proven track record of delivering exceptional results in teaching, mentoring, and scholarly research. In my two academic decades, I have developed a deep understanding of literature and cultural studies and a passion for inspiring students. My collaborative nature ensures seamless integration with fellow faculty members, fostering a supportive and productive work environment. I’m committed to upholding the standards of excellence at your institution and eager to contribute my expertise towards achieving our collective goals.”
What are your greatest strengths?
If you haven’t already, this is the time to discuss your soft and hard skills. Be confident but not arrogant. Provide an example from your past roles to demonstrate how your strengths help you excel in the workplace. For example:
“My greatest strengths are blending rigorous scholarship with engaging pedagogy, fostering a dynamic learning environment. Additionally, my adeptness at fostering interdisciplinary connections allows me to bring fresh perspectives to complex literary analyses. For instance, in my previous role, I designed a course that integrated literature with digital humanities, providing students with innovative tools to explore texts in new ways. This approach enhanced their understanding and sparked their curiosity in emerging scholarly fields.”
How do you handle pressure or stress?
The interviewer may use situational interview questions to gauge how reliable you are during high-stress situations and what practical strategies you use. Illustrate your approach with a specific example of when you were under pressure. Use the STAR method to organize your answer.
“I rely on a systematic approach to maintain composure and effectiveness when facing pressure or stress. While finalizing a research paper for publication, I encountered an unexpectedly tight deadline due to additional revisions requested by the journal reviewers. (Situation) Feeling the pressure to meet the deadline while ensuring the quality of the manuscript (Task), I devised a strategic plan to address each reviewer’s comment efficiently. I prioritized the revisions based on their significance and impact on the paper’s overall argument. Despite the time constraints, I maintained a systematic approach, dedicating focused time blocks to address each revision thoroughly. (Action) As a result, I completed the revisions before the deadline, and the paper was accepted for publication, highlighting my ability to handle pressure while maintaining the integrity of my work. (Results)“
3. Practice your body language
Nervousness and anxiety are typically noticeable in our body language: continuous foot tapping, excessive hand movements, sweating and fast-talking, among others. Practicing your body language will help ease some of those nerves. Anxiety during an interview is expected, but it’s important to feel confident and comfortable to show the hiring manager you can handle stress. So, take a deep breath and … relax.
4. Gather examples of your work
Collect samples of your work in a portfolio. The interviewer may ask for examples, or you may need them to display your qualifications. This will show you’re prepared and committed to getting the position.
5. Figure out the logistics
Be sure to determine the location, how you’ll get there, and your outfit before the interview day. Having to deal with these details hours before the meeting will increase your anxiety and possibly make you late. Ensure you feel secure in your wardrobe and know how much time you need to arrive early.
6. Write questions for your interviewer
Preparing questions for your interviewer displays a genuine interest in the role and will help you determine whether the position fits. Consider these questions:
- What does it look like during the busiest and most challenging times for this role?
- How does the company uphold its values?
- How does the team contribute to the company’s goals?
- How would you describe the work environment?
- Are there opportunities for advancement within the company?
7. Conduct mock interviews
Ask a friend or family member to do a mock interview with you. Having another person rehearse with you will help integrate everything you’ve practiced separately and identify areas of improvement. A few rounds of mock interviews should ease some of the performance anxiety you may be experiencing.
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10 Job Interview Tips and Tricks
You’ve done everything possible to prepare; now it’s the final stretch. We gathered the best job interview tips to help you master it.
1Arrive early
Plan your trip to arrive five to 10 minutes before the interview starts. This will allow you to find parking, familiarize yourself with the building, and calm any last-minute nerves.
2Bring hard copies of your resume
Yes, the interviewer has a digital copy of your resume, but they may ask if you brought a copy yourself. Whip out your best resume paper and print it!
3Carry a notebook and pen with you
You want to be able to ask follow-up questions, right? Use your notebook and pen to write down important facts you want to take advantage of and follow up with a question when it’s right.
4Treat everyone with respect
Assume you’re being evaluated from the moment you walk into the building until you walk out. Treating people with kindness is the right thing to do, and it shows the employer — and everyone else — that you can get along with your coworkers.
5Be honest
Hiring managers can spot dishonesty. Sell yourself, but don’t make promises you can’t keep. Being genuine with your answers will get you far.
6Keep it brief
The hiring manager will likely interview dozens of candidates. Stand out among the competition by offering compelling, straightforward answers that show you value their time.
7Get ready to improvise
You may encounter something unexpected even if you follow every tip on this list and practice all the common interview questions. Try to keep your cool and stay quick on your feet. If you need a minute to think, say, “That’s a great question; please give me a moment to think about it.”
8Make eye contact
Making eye contact and holding your head high shows confidence. Confidence is important because it shows you can face challenges head-on, and that’s something every employer wants.
9Focus on the positive
If the interviewer asks why you’re leaving your current position, resist the urge to talk negatively about your job, coworkers or boss. A candidate that badmouths their peers or supervisor comes off as unpleasant and can prevent the employer from moving further with your application.
Focus on the positive things you can gain from moving onto a new opportunity. You may want a new challenge or really admire this company’s work. Keep the tone light and optimistic.
10Ask about next steps
When the interview is over, remember to ask about next steps. This helps you determine when and how you’ll receive a response and shows you’re still interested. For example, you can say:
1. What are the next steps in the interview process?
2. Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful?
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5 Virtual Job Interview Tips
Zoom interviews are increasingly common. Remember everything we’ve discussed so far, but also consider these virtual and phone job interview tips:
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After the Interview
The following days and weeks after the interview are just as important. You want to ensure you stay on top of their mind and show your commitment to the job position. Consider these tips:
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Key Takeaways
You learned how to prepare for an interview and have all the necessary tools to ace it. Let’s wrap it up with some key points:
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[20+ Job Interview Tips to Get You Hired in 2024]
Last edited by: Ami Icanberry, Content Editing Manager - June 20, 2024
Natalia Merced
Content WriterNatalia holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and a B.A. in Public Relations and Advertising. Her focus on music, pop culture, and its intersections with race and gender led her to publish editorial work in Remezcla, Hasta ‘Bajo Project, La Aguja Negra, Diarios Negros and Buena Vibra.
