Interview Preparation: Tips for Candidate Success

Overview

Have you ever walked out of an interview feeling confident, only to receive a rejection email days later?

This is a common experience for many candidates. However, small changes to how you prepare can not only make interviews feel less daunting, but also significantly increase your chances of success.

The interview stage of recruitment provides an opportunity to demonstrate your suitability for a role by clearly presenting your skills, experience, and alignment with an organisation’s values⁹. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, 77% of employers across the healthcare, retail, hospitality, technology, and construction sectors consider interviews to be the most important stage of the hiring process⁸.

Having a strong understanding of the company and the role before stepping into the interview room is essential⁶. When this preparation is combined with punctuality, appropriate presentation, clear communication, and experience-based responses, candidates are better positioned to present themselves as confident, professional, and well-suited for the role⁷.

Below are practical steps you can take to improve your chances of a positive outcome in a competitive job market.

1. Research the Company

The Talent Board North American Candidate Experience found that 70.5% of candidates researched a company before applying¹¹. If this is something you have not been doing, it is an effective way to get ahead of the competition. Familiarity with the company’s operations, industry, services or products, and values, show you are not only interesting in the role, but specifically the role at that company ¹⁶. 

A good place to start is the company’s website, annual reports, and social media platforms. The 2018 NAM CandE Benchmark Research Report found that 60% of candidates used company career sites and 31% accessed LinkedIn Company Pages to gather this information ¹¹.

It is also beneficial to identify the interviewers in advance, such as the hiring manager and the human resources representative. Reviewing their names, roles, and responsibilities, often available on LinkedIN, can give you insight into who will be interviewing you and help you better tailor your communication.

2. Understand the Job Description

According to SEEK research, 78% of candidates considered understanding a role’s responsibilities essential before applying ¹. Having a clear understanding of the role’s expectation allows you to assess whether your skills and experience are relevant and whether the position is truly a right fit for. This clarity also enables more focus and in-depth responses^{9, 16}.

This information can usually be found on the job advert. Key areas to review include responsibilities, qualification, and selection criteria. Additionally, the job description provides context on how the role contributes to the company’s broader goal, the nature of the work, and the employer expectations.

3. Be Punctual, Honest, and Dress Appropriately

Unsurprisingly, what you wear to an interview can matter just as much as what you say. Research by Accounttemps revealed that 94% of 2,800 senior managers viewed candidate attire as important in forming first impressions¹³. While expectations can vary by industry, with suits more commonly expected by 46% of managers in finance, insurance, and real estate sectors, dressing in a modest and professional manner is always best.

A neat appearance, such as wearing hair away from the face, maintaining tidy facial hair, and keeping makeup minimal, is generally appreciated by hiring managers. These details can reflect important characteristics such as organisation, professionalism, and self-awareness. If you are unsure, reviewing the company profiles or Linkedin pages can provide guidance on what is the appropriate dress standard⁶.

Candidates should aim to arrive 10-15 minutes early to allow time to mentally prepare, refine their appearance, and account for potential delays. Arriving exactly at the scheduled start time is often considered late. A Design & Build poll revealed that 45% of interviewers viewed lateness as the most concerning interview behaviour, followed by unprepared answers (35%) and inappropriate attire (16%)⁴. To avoid last-minute stress, confirm the interview details when t received, plan your route in advance, and notifying the interviewer promptly if any issues arise.

Lastly, clear and honest communication, such as speaking clearly, avoiding excessive jargon, and practicing responses, demonstrates your competence just as much content. These behaviours reinforce credibility and professionalism. 

4. Be Polite and Show Positive Body Language

First impressions are not formed by words alone, how you communicate non-verbally plays a major role during interviews. Research by psychologist Albert Mehrabian suggests that only a small portion of meaning is conveyed through words, while tone of voice and non-verbal cues such as posture, gestures, and facial expressions account for the majority of how messages are received¹². In practice, this means how you speak and behave during an interview can be just as important as what you say.

Maintaining appropriate eye contact, sitting upright, and adopting an open, attentive posture can convey confidence, engagement, and professionalism¹⁴. In contrast, behaviours such as crossing arms, fidgeting, or appearing distracted may signal discomfort or disinterest¹⁴. Simple gestures, including smiling and nodding, can demonstrate understanding, enthusiasm, and attentiveness⁶.

Politeness and respectful communication further reinforce a positive impression. Courteous language, active listening, and appreciation for the interviewer’s time reflect strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence⁹. Together, these behaviours can help build rapport and positively influence hiring decisions.

5. Draw from Experience

Most interviews are designed to understand how you have handled situations in the past, not just what you know in theory. Employers frequently use behavioural interview techniques based on the idea that past behaviour is a strong indicator of future performance¹⁷.

To respond effectively, candidates can use the STAR method, which provides a clear structure by outlining the situation, task, actions taken, and results achieved¹⁷. Examples can be drawn from professional, academic, or extracurricular experiences, as long as they align closely with the role’s requirements.

Research supports this approach. A study of 11,667 job applications found that 71.6% of interviews included questions about prior work experience, while 46.9% focused on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities². Further findings from Jobs and Skills Australia’s July 2024 Recruitment Experiences and Outlook Survey showed that relevant experience and skills were prioritised by employers across all business sizes, particularly in small and medium organisations⁸.

These findings highlight the importance of anticipating experience-based questions and structuring responses around the competencies outlined in the job description. Candidates can further strengthen their interview performance by bringing supplementary materials, such as résumés or portfolios, to showcase specific strengths⁷,¹⁷. Addressing employment gaps or past challenges openly and professionally can also demonstrate honesty, resilience, and self-awareness¹⁴.

6. Prepare Thoughtful Questions

An interview is not only an opportunity to be assessed, it is also a chance to assess whether the role and organisation are right for you. Asking informed questions demonstrates genuine interest and helps candidates evaluate alignment with their goals and values¹⁷.

Employers often view thoughtful questions as a sign of preparation and intent to contribute meaningfully to the organisation¹⁰. A CareerBuilder survey of more than 2,500 employers found that 32% of hiring managers considered failing to ask good questions one of the most detrimental interview mistakes¹⁵. According to former Vice President of HR Rosemary Haefner, well-prepared questions allow candidates to demonstrate organisational knowledge and guide the conversation toward their strengths¹⁵.

Candidates should aim to prepare several questions related to the role, team structure, career development opportunities, or company values and projects. Questions informed by prior research, such as insights gained from the company’s website, news articles, or annual reports, can further signal engagement and a forward-thinking mindset¹⁶.

Conclusion

Interview performance is significantly influenced by thorough preparation and a clear Interview performance is strongly influenced by preparation and a clear understanding of the organisation, role, and workplace culture. When candidates align their experience with employer expectations, they are better equipped to communicate their suitability effectively.

Key elements such as punctuality, professional presentation, clear communication, and positive body language help create a strong first impression and demonstrate respect and engagement throughout the interview process. Preparing thoughtful questions can further reinforce genuine interest in the role and deepen understanding of the organisation.

Finally, reflecting on interview performance and seeking feedback where possible can support ongoing improvement and confidence building⁹. Each interview offers an opportunity to refine skills, learn from experience, and strengthen your competitiveness in the job market.

References

1. Alexander, Lindy. n.d. “Why Candidates Aren’t Applying for your Job.” Seek. Accessed June 3, 2025. https://talent.seek.com.au/hiring-advice/article/why-candidates-arent-applying-for-your-job.
2. Campion, Michael A., Julia Levashina, Filip Lievens, Richard A. Posthuma, Eveline Schollaert, Wei-Chi Tsai, and Maria F. Wagstaff. 2014. “Comparing Employment Interviews in Latin America with Other Countries.” Journal of Business Research 67 (5): 943-951. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2013.07.014.
3. Dewar, Jen. 2025. “Job Interview Statistics You Should Know in 2025.” JobScore. https://www.jobscore.com/articles/interviewing-statistics/#55%-of-applicants-will-give-up-if-they-don%E2%80%99t-schedule-their-first-interview-within-a-week.
4. Eshman, Nathan. 2024. “Why Am I Not Getting the Job? Identify Your Blindspots and Win the Interview.” Design and Build. https://www.designandbuild.com.au/why-am-i-not-getting-the-job-identify-your-blindspots-and-win-the-interview.
5. Hartwell, Christopher J., Clark D. Johnson, and Richard A. Posthuma. 2019. “Are We Asking the Right Questions? Predictive Validity Comparison of Four Structured Interview Question Types.” Journal of Business Research 100: 122-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.03.026.
6. Hudson. n.d.-a. “Job Interviews: How to Make a Good First Impression at a Job Interview.” Accessed June 3, 2025. https://au.hudson.com/insights/job-interviews/how-to-make-a-good-first-impression/.
7. Hudson. n.d.-b. 34 Ways to Master the Art of the Interview. https://cdn-01.cms-ap-v2i.applyflow.com/hudson-au-2022/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/34-ways-to-master-the-interview-hudson.pdf.
8. Jobs and Skills Australia. 2024a. “How Employers Recruit, July 2024.” Australian Government. https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-07/How%20employers%20recruit%20-%20Report.pdf.
9. Jobs and Skills Australia. n.d.-b. Winning at Job Interviews. Government of Western Australia. https://www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/uploads/Jobs%26Careers/jswa-winning-job-interviews.pdf.
10. Jobs and Skills Western Australia. n.d. Quick Tips. Government of Western Australia. https://www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/uploads/Jobs%26Careers/jswa-jobsandcareers-quicktips.pdf.
11. McLaren, Samantha. “7 Data-Backed Strategies that will Improve your Company’s Candidate Experience.” Talent Blog, May 15, 2019. https://www.linkedin.com/business/talent/blog/talent-acquisition/strategies-to-improve-candidate-experience#:~:text=majority%20of%20candidates%20(-,70.5%25,-)%20conduct%20their%20own.
12. Mehrabian, Albert. 1971. “The Double-Edged Message.” In Silent Messages, 2^nd, 40-56. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company. https://e-edu.nbu.bg/pluginfile.php/855150/mod_resource/content/1/Albert-Mehrabian%20-%20Silent%20Messages%201971%20-%20red.size.pdf.
13. Robert Half. 2019. “Are Suits Still Suitable for Job Interviews? Managers Split Between Formality and Function, Survey Shows.” Press Release, September 10, 2019. https://press.roberthalf.com/2019-09-10-Are-Suits-Still-Suitable-For-Job-Interviews-Managers-Split-Between-Formality-And-Function-Survey-Shows.
14. Sergent, Shane R., and Sam Slade. 2023. “Interview Techniques.” In StatPearls. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526083/.
15. Smith, Jacquelyn. 2013. “30 Questions You Should And Shouldn’t Ask In A Job Interview.” Forbes, July 5, 2013. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/07/05/30-questions-you-should-and-shouldnt-ask-in-a-job-interview/.
16. The University of Sydney. n.d. “Interview Tips.” Accessed June 4, 2025. https://www.sydney.edu.au/careers/students/applying-for-jobs/interview-tips.html.
17. Workforce Australia. 2025. “Prepare for a Job Interview.” Australian Government. https://www.workforceaustralia.gov.au/individuals/coaching/job-applications/job-interviews.