What to Expect During a Job Interview—And How To Nail It

Every interview involves reading the room, thinking on your feet, and adapting on the spot to the tone and pace of the conversation. Even though it’s hard to know what to expect in a job interview, there are a few things you should know in advance that will help you navigate the process with more confidence and ease.

Go in with a positive mindset. Mindset is an often-overlooked yet vital part of interview prep. Pay attention to your thoughts in the days and hours leading up to the interview. When you feel nervous, tell yourself how excited you are to have this opportunity. If self-doubt creeps in, remind yourself of all the times you overcame challenges. And keep it in perspective: even if you don’t get this job, the interview itself is a great opportunity to sharpen your skills.

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Test your tech. If you’re interviewing online, test your setup ahead of time. Download the video conferencing app you’ll be using and test it out with a friend so that last-minute tech issues don’t cause an unnecessary adrenaline spike. Make sure you have good lighting and try using a headset with a mic so your voice comes through more clearly. Check your background, too, to make sure it’s clear of any clutter. Personal items like family photos are fine—but depending on the job, this may not be the time to showcase your childhood superhero figurine collection.

Tell me about a time…. Expect to be asked to tell stories from past jobs—especially if this is your second or third interview. The interviewer may want to know about a time you took the lead on a project, or a time you ran into an unexpected challenge and how you solved it. Review your resume and reflect on the skills, experiences, and accomplishments you gained in each of your former roles, and how those experiences prepared you for this particular job opportunity. Practice reframing negative experiences in terms of the growth opportunities they provided.

Convey warmth. It’s normal to feel more formal in a job interview, but employers aren’t just looking for professional skills. They want to know if you’re someone who would be enjoyable, someone they could connect with around the office. After all, they’re human too. Be professional but not stiff. Greet your interviewer warmly and smile while you chat. If the interviewer feels good in your presence, you’ll score some major points.

Come with questions. At some point in the process (probably toward the end) your interviewer will give you an opportunity to ask questions of your own. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just your answers to their questions that show your intelligence and capabilities. The questions you ask can have even more of an impact. So how do you know what questions to ask in a job interview? Research the company and review the job description again, then come prepared with at least three interesting questions such as, “What traits are most important in order to succeed in this role?” or “How would you describe the company culture?” These questions not only show your interest, they give you a chance to evaluate whether the role is the right fit for you.

Once you’ve prepared for your interview, do your best to relax and have fun with the process. Not only are you embarking on a potential opportunity to advance your career, you’re making great connections along the way.