Interviews can be nerve-wracking, no matter whether you’re doing everything right or everything wrong, but with the right preparation, attitude, and awareness, you can stand out and show the interviewer why you’re the perfect fit. To help you prepare for your next potential job, here’s a breakdown of interview do’s and don’ts.
Dress Appropriately
What you wear to an interview says a lot about how seriously you’re taking the opportunity, so turning up in scruffy trainers or overly casual clothes can suggest a lack of respect for the role. Conversely, being overdressed for a creative role might seem out of touch, therefore always research the company’s culture beforehand to gauge their expectations.
Arriving Late
Arriving late can be an instant dealbreaker because it doesn’t just waste the interviewer’s time. It also suggests that you might not be reliable, and that’s not a first impression you want to make. Always plan ahead—check for potential delays on public transport or unexpected traffic, and aim to get there 10 to 15 minutes early.
Research the Company
The more you know, the better you’ll connect your skills to their needs, therefore walking into an interview without knowing much about the company can quickly lead to awkward moments. Employers want to see that you’ve taken the time to understand their goals, culture, and recent projects.
Talking Negatively About Past Employers
No matter how challenging your last job or boss was, badmouthing them during an interview never looks good—it can make you seem unprofessional or even difficult to work with. Instead, try framing negative experiences in a positive light, for example, if you left a role due to poor management, you could explain that you’re looking for an environment where growth is a priority.
Bring Copies of Your CV
Even if the interviewer has a copy of your CV on hand, bringing extras shows you’re prepared and professional, and it also allows you to take control if the interviewer doesn’t have a printed version. Beyond the CV, think about what else might highlight your skills—a portfolio, certificates, or examples of your work.
Overloading on Jargon
Instead of showing off your vocabulary, focus on explaining your ideas in a way that’s clear, engaging, and easy to follow rather than using too much jargon trying to impress. In an interview, this can backfire, as buzzwords or overly technical language can alienate the other person, or people, in the room.
Ask Insightful Questions
Don’t let the opportunity to ask questions slip away: smart, tailored questions show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the company. Avoid generic questions like, “What do you do here?” and ask about their upcoming projects, team dynamics, or how success is measured in the role, for example.
Avoid Overconfidence
We know that confidence is important, yet there’s a fine line between being self-assured and coming across as arrogant, meaning statements like, “I’m the best person you’ll ever hire” might make you memorable for the wrong reasons. Let your experiences and achievements do the talking for you.
Follow Up with a Thank You
It might feel old-fashioned, but following up with a thank-you email after the interview is still one of the best ways to stand out, just a short message thanking the interviewer for their time and reiterating your interest in the role. This simple gesture shows that you’re polite, professional, and genuinely interested.
Oversharing Personal Details
If the interviewer asks about your hobbies, stick to things that showcase qualities relevant to the job, like teamwork or creativity—remember, keep it light and professional. While it’s important to connect with your interviewer, there’s a limit to how personal you should get, so don’t overshare.
Practise Common Interview Questions
Even if you’re confident in your ability to think on your feet, practising common interview questions can significantly boost your performance, therefore think about questions like “What’s your greatest strength?” or “Tell me about a time you solved a problem”, as these often come up. Having a few strong answers prepared can help you avoid stumbling.
Rambling
Long-winded answers can quickly derail everything, and while it’s tempting to provide lots of detail, it’s better to stick to concise, focused responses that directly address the question. If you notice yourself veering off-topic during the interview, pause for a moment, refocus, and bring your answer back to the main point.
Understand the Role Thoroughly
You’ll want to read the job description carefully to know that you’ve fully understood whether it’s right for you, and if so, to then think about how your experience matches their needs. During the conversation, refer back to specific responsibilities and explain how you’ve tackled similar challenges in the past.
Using Your Phone
Before the interview starts, silence your phone and tuck it away. If you need to take notes, bring a proper notebook and pen instead to show respect, as having your phone out during an interview is an easy way to make a bad impression—even if you’re not using it, seeing your phone on the table can give the impression that you’re distracted.
Maintain Positive Body Language
Your body language can often say more than your words, especially when someone is already preparing to judge you, and sitting slouched, avoiding eye contact, or fidgeting can all make you seem disengaged or nervous. Instead, sit up straight, make natural eye contact, and smile when appropriate.
Interrupting the Interviewer
Try to avoid cutting someone off mid-sentence in an interview because it can come across as rude, even if you don’t mean it that way. Listening is just as important as speaking, so make sure you let the interviewer finish their thought before responding, and when you’re excited to answer, try nodding or smiling to show that you’re engaged.
Show Passion
Passion is one of the most attractive qualities a candidate can bring to the table, and furthermore, employers want to see that you’re not just looking for a job but are genuinely excited about their company and the role. Talk about what excites you, and your enthusiasm will be contagious, possibly making you stand out from other candidates.
Lying
Honesty not only builds trust but also sets the stage for a genuine, positive working relationship. Stretching the truth or fabricating experiences might seem tempting, but it’s a dangerous game due to the fact that interviewers can often spot inconsistencies, while being caught in a lie can ruin your credibility.
Forgetting to Prepare Examples
Competency-based questions are a staple of UK interviews, so having a bank of examples ready is crucial, and you’ll want to think of situations where you’ve demonstrated skills like leadership, teamwork, or problem-solving. Structure your answers using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep them clear and impactful.
Failing to End on a High Note
Why wouldn’t you want to end on a high note? Thank the person interviewing you for their time and reiterate your excitement about the role, and if you feel comfortable, you can also ask about the next steps in the process—it shows you’re eager and proactive. A confident but warm goodbye can ensure the last thing they remember about you is positive.