Your CV did its job and you've been invited to an interview, which is great news. But now a new kind of nerves kicks in: sitting face to face and talking about yourself. For many people, the interview is the most stressful part of job hunting. With good preparation, though, it becomes an opportunity to stand out from the other candidates. The people who do well in interviews are often not the ones who know the most, but the ones who prepare best.
Short answer: Before the interview, research the company and the role, review your own CV and prepare for common questions with concrete examples. On the day, arrive a few minutes early (or test your connection for a video interview), make eye contact, be honest and ask questions of your own at the end. Send a short thank-you message the next day and wait patiently for the result.
One week before the interview
- Research the company: What does it do, what products or services does it offer, and what has it been up to recently? Look at its website, social media and news coverage. This helps you answer questions better and shows you're interested and motivated.
- Understand the role: Reread the job ad and note the skills and responsibilities it asks for. Link your own experience to those requirements.
- Review your own CV: You'll be asked about it. You should be able to explain every experience and skill you've listed with ease.
- Prepare your stories: Pick three or four concrete examples covering an achievement, a difficult situation and teamwork. These can answer many different questions.
How to tell a concrete example: the STAR method
Interviewers often ask questions like "Tell me about a time you faced a challenge" to learn how you've behaved in the past. The most effective way to answer is to split your answer into four parts, known as the STAR method:
- Situation: What happened, where and when?
- Task: What was your responsibility or goal?
- Action: What did you do? (Say "I", not "we".)
- Result: What was the outcome? Back it up with a number if you can.
Example: "During my internship, when a colleague fell ill, I had to finish a report that was due in three days on my own (situation and task). I split the work into daily goals, requested the missing data from the relevant teams the same day and sent my manager a short progress note every evening (action). We delivered the report on time, and my manager shared the plan with the team as an example (result)."
For common questions and sample answers, see Common interview questions and how to answer them.
The day before
- Check the time, address or video link, and the name of the person you'll meet.
- Prepare your outfit. Dressing one step more formally than the company's everyday style is usually a safe choice.
- Get together what you'll bring: a few printed copies of your CV, a notebook and pen, and ID.
- For an in-person interview, work out your route and travel time in advance.
- Get a good night's sleep. Being rested helps you answer more clearly.
For video interviews
- Do a tech check in advance: Install the software, test your camera and microphone, and check your internet connection.
- Set up your space: Choose a quiet room, a plain background and a light that illuminates your face from the front.
- Look at the camera: Looking at the camera rather than the face on screen while you speak makes it seem as if you're making eye contact.
- Turn off notifications: Silence your phone and close unnecessary programs on your computer.
- Join a few minutes early: It leaves time to fix last-minute technical problems.
During the interview
- Be on time: For in-person interviews, aim to arrive 5–10 minutes early. Arriving much earlier can put the interviewer in an awkward position.
- Mind your body language: Make eye contact, sit up straight and offer a confident handshake. Your body language speaks as loudly as your words.
- Listen to the question: Don't start answering before you've understood it. If you're unsure, it's fine to ask them to repeat it.
- Be honest: Don't pretend to know something you don't. "I don't have experience with that yet, but here's how I've started learning it" is far better than making something up.
- Give concrete examples: Instead of saying "I'm a great team player", tell a story that shows it.
- Don't criticise previous employers: Whatever your reason for leaving, keep your language constructive.
Ask your own questions
An interview works both ways. When you're asked "Do you have any questions for us?", don't say no; ask a few you've prepared:
- "What would success look like in this role in the first three months?"
- "How does the team work, and who would I be working with?"
- "What development and training opportunities come with this role?"
- "What's the next step in the process?"
Pay and benefits are usually discussed later in the process; unless the interviewer brings it up, it's often better not to lead with it in a first interview.
After the interview
- Send a thank-you message: Within 24 hours, send a short email: "Thank you for today's conversation. What we discussed about your team's projects has made me even more interested in the role. I look forward to hearing about the next steps." This small touch can set you apart.
- Make notes: Which questions came up, and where did you struggle? These notes are invaluable for your next interview.
- Be patient: If the timeline you were given has passed, you can send a polite follow-up email.
- Learn from a rejection: Every interview is experience. Politely asking for feedback strengthens your next application.
Common mistakes
- Knowing nothing about the company: It makes you look uninterested.
- Not being able to explain something on your CV: It damages your credibility.
- Memorising answers word for word: It comes across as robotic.
- Not asking any questions: It can suggest you aren't really interested.
- Skipping the tech check: Connection problems spoil the first impression in a video interview.
It all starts with a strong CV
The first step to being invited to an interview is a CV that stands out. With BUDDA CV you can keep your CV up to date and prepare different versions for different applications. The app's application tracking feature lets you follow your applications in one place with statuses such as "Sent", "Interview", "Second Interview", "Technical Test" and "Waiting Decision", so you can see at a glance where you stand with each company.
Last updated: 8 October 2026
Related guides:
- Common interview questions and how to answer them
- How to write an effective CV
- How to write a CV as a recent graduate
With BUDDA CV, create a strong CV that gets you to the interview. Fast and easy; creating your CV and downloading it as a PDF are free.
