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| A firm handshake and a smile can leave a lasting positive impression on your interviewer. |
Your phone buzzes. You have received an email with the subject line, "Invitation to Interview." For a moment, you feel excited. This is the opportunity you have been waiting for. Then another feeling sets in. You begin to worry about how the interview will go.
Job interviews can be stressful. You are expected to speak confidently, answer questions clearly, and show your abilities while people you have never met assess you. The pressure can be overwhelming, and even qualified graduates may struggle to express themselves well.
But what if you looked at an interview differently? What if you saw it as a conversation rather than an examination? Instead of entering the room as a nervous applicant hoping to get a job, you could approach it as a professional ready to explain how your skills can help the company.
This change in attitude is possible, and it can improve your interview performance. This guide will show you how to prepare, manage your nerves, and approach your next interview with greater confidence.
The Week Before: Learn About the Company and Yourself
Confidence comes from preparation. The week before your interview is an opportunity to learn about the company, understand the role, and prepare examples that show what you can do.
Step 1: Look Beyond the Company's Homepage
Many candidates spend only a few minutes looking at a company's homepage. You should take more time to understand the organisation and its work.
Read About the Company: Visit the company's "About Us" page. Find out who founded it, why it was established, and what it hopes to achieve. Understanding its background can help you explain why you want to work there.
Learn About Its Recent Achievements: Check the company's blog, press releases, and social media pages. Has it introduced a new product, received an award, or announced an important development? Referring to a recent achievement during your interview can show that you have taken the time to learn about the organisation.
Research Your Interviewer on LinkedIn: If you know who will interview you, look up their professional profile. Learn about their role and work experience. This can help you understand their professional background and feel more comfortable when you meet them.
Step 2: Prepare Stories Instead of Memorising Answers
One common mistake graduates make is trying to memorise perfect answers to possible interview questions. This can make their responses sound unnatural. A better approach is to prepare real examples that demonstrate your skills and experience.
The STAR Method (Situation, Task, Action, Result): The STAR method helps you organise your experiences into clear, easy-to-follow stories. For each important skill on your CV, such as leadership, teamwork, or problem-solving, prepare a short example using these four steps.
Situation: Explain the background briefly. For example, "In my final year, our group project on renewable energy was falling behind schedule."
Task: Describe what you were responsible for. For example, "As the group leader, my responsibility was to help the team get back on track."
Action: Explain the steps you took. For example, "I organised a meeting, reassigned tasks according to each member's strengths, and created a more realistic timeline."
Result: Describe the outcome. For example, "As a result, we completed the project before the deadline and received an 'A' for our work."
Use examples from your university projects, internships, volunteer activities, or previous jobs. Choose experiences that demonstrate the skills required for the position.
(For more guidance on answering difficult interview questions, read our Guide on the 3 Toughest Interview Questions here).
The 24 Hours Before: Prepare for a Calm and Focused Interview
The day before your interview is not the time to start learning everything from scratch. Your focus should be on organising the details and giving yourself time to rest.
Step 1: Sort Out the Logistics
Uncertainty can increase anxiety. Preparing the practical details in advance will help you feel more organised.
Plan Your Route: If the interview will take place in person, check the route and estimate how long the journey will take. If possible, travel along the route beforehand so you know what to expect.
Prepare Your Outfit: Choose clean, well-ironed, professional clothing suitable for the company and the role.
Organise Your Documents: Print several copies of your CV and keep them in a neat folder. If you need to improve your CV before applying for jobs, read our Guide on Writing a CV with Zero Experience here.
Step 2: Give Yourself Time to Rest
This may sound unusual, but you do not need to spend every available minute preparing for the interview. Stop your preparations at least three to four hours before bedtime. Avoid cramming or repeatedly rehearsing your answers. Give yourself time to relax and get enough sleep.
What you can do: Watch a film, talk to a friend about something unrelated to the interview, or listen to music. The goal is to give your mind a break before the big day.
The Moment of Truth: Make a Good Impression
Feeling nervous before an interview is normal. What matters is how you manage those feelings and communicate with the interviewer.
Step 1: Pay Attention to Your Body Language
Make a Good First Impression: When you meet the interviewer, greet them politely, make natural eye contact, and smile if appropriate. If they offer a handshake, respond professionally.
Sit Comfortably and Confidently: Sit upright without appearing stiff. Avoid excessive movement, such as tapping your feet or playing with objects. Keep your hands in a comfortable position on your lap or the table.
Your body language should help you appear attentive and interested. You do not need to force yourself to look perfectly confident throughout the interview.
Step 2: Ask Your Own Questions
An interview gives both you and the employer an opportunity to learn more about each other. Asking relevant questions shows that you are interested in the role and have thought carefully about the opportunity.
Prepare 3 to 5 Questions:
"What does a typical day look like in this role?"
"What is the biggest challenge the team is currently facing?"
"How does this role contribute to the company's wider goals?"
Listen carefully during the interview so you can choose questions that have not already been answered. Asking thoughtful questions can also help you decide whether the job is suitable for you.
Step 3: End the Interview Professionally
As the interview comes to an end, thank the interviewer and briefly restate your interest in the position.
Example of a Closing Statement:
"Thank you for your time. Our conversation has made me even more interested in joining your team. Based on what we have discussed, I believe my skills in [mention one key skill] would be useful in this role. Could you please tell me what the next steps in the recruitment process will be?"
Keep your closing statement brief and sincere. Avoid making claims about your abilities that you cannot support with examples.
After the Interview: Follow Up Professionally
Within 24 hours of the interview, send a brief, personalised thank-you email. Thank the interviewer for their time, mention something useful you discussed, and confirm your continued interest in the position.
An interview gives you the opportunity to explain the experience, skills, and achievements listed on your CV. It also allows the employer to understand how you communicate and approach problems.
By researching the company, preparing relevant examples, managing your nerves, and asking thoughtful questions, you can present yourself more effectively and leave a positive impression.
You have earned the opportunity to interview. Take your preparation seriously, trust the work you have done, and give yourself the best chance to succeed.
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About the Author: Ogudo Chukwuebuka is a career and education mentor based in Enugu, Nigeria. He has over 10 years of experience guiding students through admissions and NYSC. He helps Nigerian graduates transition from campus to the corporate world.
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