How to Ace a Job Interview

An interview can feel like a quiz. You study for it, you’re not quite sure what they’re going to ask, and it feels like there are right answers and wrong answers. It’s easy to get into this habit of approaching interviews as something to “ace.” However, in reality, it’s a two-way street. Interviews are both a way for the employer to get to know you, and also an opportunity for you to learn more about the job.

Remember, the employer might want you just as much as you might want them. Use your interview time both to represent yourself well, and also to glean information about the company that you may not otherwise be able to learn about through online research.

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Job Interviews (Do It… Don’t Do It)

The general rule of thumb is not to ask your interviewer anything that you could otherwise learn through research. For example: How many employees are there? You can easily get this information through their LinkedIn page or team page on their website. Instead, take this opportunity to learn more about the office environment in a hybrid working model, as an example: approximately how many people on this team come into the office regularly?

You should also avoid any questions that have a confrontational tone or would otherwise put the interviewer in a position where they feel that they must “defend” the company. Don’t say: Why does the company size appear to be stagnant the past few years? Instead, take an opportunity to learn more about what your work and experience will be like: What is the process for being assigned different accounts?

Do Your Research

Interview Don’ts

Lastly, don’t ask your interviewer anything that will give them pause about your attitude or qualifications. Don’t ask: are the hours flexible? Instead, try: how would you describe the working environment? If you really need answers to those types of questions, try Glassdoor or asking an experienced colleague on LinkedIn to fill in those blanks.