Job Interview Tips: Let’s be real. Most people suck at interviews because no one teaches you how to do them well. You show up in stiff clothes, try to remember what you Googled at midnight, and hope for the best. But interviews aren’t just about sounding smart. They’re about making a connection and proving you can do the job. Simple as that.
The best interviewees don’t wing it. They show up prepared. They know what matters to the company. They have stories ready. They ask solid questions. They don’t try to be someone else. They just bring their best, real self. You can do the same.
This post is here to give you an edge. Not with boring textbook stuff, but with things that actually work in real interviews. Stuff hiring managers care about. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be ready. Let’s break it all down.
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7 Job Interview Tips That Actually Work
- Research the company. Know what they do, who they serve, and what they care about. It shows you give a damn.
- Practice common questions. Don’t memorize answers. Just be clear and confident.
- Dress clean and simple. Not flashy. One level above what you think is expected.
- Be honest. Don’t fake it. Say what you know and what you’re learning.
- Use real stories. Tell them what you’ve done, not just what you hope to do.
- Ask smart questions. It shows you’re thinking long-term, not just about a paycheck.
- Follow up. Send a short thank-you note. Most people don’t. You’ll stand out.
Most people screw up by trying too hard or not trying at all. You don’t need to impress. You need to connect. Keep it simple. Keep it real.
What Are The 5 C’s Of Interviewing?
The 5 C’s of interviewing help you show up like someone worth hiring. They are: Competence, Confidence, Communication, Chemistry, and Curiosity.
Competence means you know your stuff. You can do the job or learn fast. You show this by sharing past work or school examples. Walk them through what you did, why, and what came out of it. Be specific.
Confidence is not arrogance. It’s being calm, clear, and sure of what you bring. Nervous is fine. Just stay focused. Speak like you mean it. Look them in the eye. Sit up straight. Little things matter.
Communication is how you explain ideas. Can you make things simple? Can you listen well? Most hiring managers want someone who’s easy to talk to. Don’t ramble. Keep your answers short and real.
Chemistry is the vibe. Do they like you? Would they want to work with you? You can’t fake it. Just be friendly, be yourself, and match their energy.
Curiosity is about asking questions. Not just about the job, but about the company, the team, and how things work. It shows you care.
What Is The 80/20 Rule In Interviewing?
The 80/20 rule in interviews is simple. Talk 80% about them. Talk 20% about you. Most people do the opposite.
Here’s what it means. Spend most of your time focusing on what the company needs. What the job involves. What problems they’re trying to solve. Then, use your 20% to show how you help with that.
Don’t just list your skills. Tie them to what the company wants. If they need someone who can deal with tough clients, talk about that time you handled an angry customer and fixed the problem. Keep it sharp and relevant.
Also, use your 20% to show interest. Ask smart questions. Not just, “What’s the salary?” Ask, “What’s your team’s biggest challenge right now?” or “What’s success look like in the first 90 days?”
People remember those who show they care about more than just a paycheck. That’s the power of the 80/20 rule. Make the conversation about them, and they’ll like you more.
What Are The 5 P’s Of Interviewing?
The 5 P’s of interviewing are Prepare, Practice, Present, Participate, and Polish. Let’s break them down.
Prepare means knowing the company. What do they do? Who are their clients? What does the role involve? Read their site. Look them up on LinkedIn. Don’t go in cold.
Practice doesn’t mean memorizing scripts. It means having your answers ready. Practice talking about your past work, school projects, or skills. Use simple, clear language. Say things out loud. Get used to hearing your own voice.
Present yourself with confidence. Dress right. Show up early. Smile. Don’t slouch. First impressions matter. You don’t have to be fancy. Just clean and put together.
Participate in the conversation. Interviews aren’t lectures. Listen well. Nod. Ask questions. Show you’re engaged.
Polish your final touches. After the interview, send a thank-you email. Keep it short and real. Mention something specific from your chat. Most people skip this. It makes a big difference.
What Is The 30 60 90 Question In An Interview?
The 30-60-90 question asks you what your plan is for the first 30, 60, and 90 days on the job. It checks if you think ahead.
Here’s a good way to answer:
First 30 days: Say you’ll focus on learning. Understand the team, tools, and tasks. Ask questions.
Next 30 days: You start doing. Take on real work. Try to make small wins. Learn from feedback.
Last 30 days: You improve. You suggest new ideas. You help others. You try to add real value.
This shows you think beyond just getting hired. You’re planning how to succeed. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just show that you’re not going to sit around waiting for orders.
Keep it short. Use bullet points if you want. But make sure it sounds like you actually care about helping the team, not just clocking in.
What Is 70 30 Interview Rule?
This rule says the interviewer should talk 70% of the time. You talk 30%. It sounds weird, but it works.
Your job is to guide the interviewer to ask more. How? By being clear, focused, and giving just enough info that they want to know more. You don’t need to fill every silence. Let your answers breathe.
If they’re talking more, it means they’re interested. They’re asking follow-up questions. They’re picturing you in the job. That’s a good sign.
So give strong answers, but don’t go on forever. Leave room for them to jump in. It makes the interview feel like a real conversation. And it shows that you know how to listen and respond, not just talk about yourself.
Why Are The First 30 Seconds Of An Interview So Important?
First 30 seconds matter more than most people think. That’s when the interviewer forms their first gut feeling.
It starts when you walk in. Smile. Give a firm handshake. Look them in the eye. Say their name. Be friendly but not fake. This part isn’t about skill. It’s about energy.
Then come your first words. When they ask how you are, don’t say, “Good.” Say, “I’m excited to be here. Thanks for having me.” Show enthusiasm. But keep it real.
People hire people they like. If you come off nervous, rude, or too casual, you lose points fast. Start strong. It sets the tone for the rest of the talk. You don’t get a second shot at a first impression.
Can You Please Walk Me Through Your Resume?
This is a classic question. And if you ramble, you’re done. Keep it short and tight.
Start with your most recent role. Say what you did, what you learned, and what you achieved. Then work back. If you’re a student or new to work, talk about school projects, part-time jobs, or anything that shows skills.
Use this formula:
- Where you worked or studied.
- What your role was.
- What you learned or did well.
Don’t list every job. Just pick the ones that matter most to this role. And tie each one back to the job you want.
End by saying why this role is the next step for you. Keep it smooth. Practice it a few times so it sounds natural.
What To Ask At The End Of An Interview?
This part matters more than you think. If you say, “No questions,” they think you’re not serious.
Here are some solid things to ask:
- What does a normal day look like here?
- What’s the team like?
- What’s the biggest challenge for someone in this role?
- What would success look like in 6 months?
- What are the next steps in the hiring process?
Don’t ask about pay, time off, or perks right away. Save that for later or until they bring it up. Focus on showing you care about the work.
Asking questions shows you’re thoughtful and engaged. It also helps you figure out if you actually want the job. Interviews go both ways.
Conclusion
Job Interview Tips: You don’t need to be perfect to nail a job interview. You just need to be ready, be real, and show you give a crap. Most people mess up because they try too hard or not enough. If you follow these tips, you’ll stand out without being fake.
Remember, interviews aren’t exams. They’re conversations. Show up with your best self, a few stories, some smart questions, and a clear reason why you want the job. That’s how you win.
Good luck. Go get it.