How to Nail Your Job Interview

Walking into a job interview can feel overwhelming. What kinds of questions will the interviewer ask? How should you convey that you have the right experience and attitude for the role you've applied for? What should you wear?

Fortunately, this guide provides general interview best practices to help you perform at your best. Here at TriCom, your recruiter will also walk you through specific preparation for your role, client, and interviewer, which is the most important part of your prep.

Keep in mind that this guide is not a substitute for your prep conversation. Please review this guide before speaking with your TriCom recruiter so we can focus on tailoring your approach to this opportunity.

Be prepared to discuss:

• Why you’re interested in this opportunity

• The key strengths you bring to this role

• Specific projects or experience that align with the job

Your TriCom recruiter will help you refine these so you can clearly communicate your value to the hiring team.

The interview is an imperfect process. The interview is not the job—the job is the job. However, the interview is what is used to decide who can and will do the job. Interviewers are evaluating three things:

• Experience – Have you done this before?

• Talent – Can you do it again?

• Chemistry – Will you be a good fit with the team?

Even strong candidates can miss opportunities if they don’t connect well with the interviewer.

Phone, video, or in person?

• Phone: When taking an interview over the phone, make sure you have a stable connection and are in a quiet environment. If the interviewer has not called within five minutes of the scheduled start time, then please call your TriCom recruiter.

• Video: For video interviews, make sure you have the meeting link. Test your microphone and camera, and ensure that your name and picture are professional and appropriate. Log in 10 minutes early, and have a clear, clutter-free background. Don’t tamper with the keyboard or mouse, as this could be mistaken for looking up answers.

• In person: For onsite interviews, verify the exact location, parking details, and whom to check in with before arrival. Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to ensure a smooth check-in process.

3 Key Tenets of Any Job Interview

Positivity

Interviewers are people, and people prefer positive individuals. Remember to:

• Show enthusiasm.

• Demonstrate a “can-do” attitude.

• Present yourself as a problem-solver.

Professionalism

When sitting down for the interview, politely ask the interviewers’ names if they haven’t introduced themselves yet. Be sure to follow these guidelines:

• Have a notebook and pen ready (even for virtual interviews).

• Keep your phone silenced or off.

• Dress professionally unless instructed otherwise.

• Maintain a clean, polished appearance.

• Be polite, engaged, and attentive.

Communication

Communication is integral to a successful job interview. Make sure that you:

• Can hear and be heard clearly.

• Maintain eye contact, whether in person or over video.

• Use good posture and stay engaged.

• Ask clarifying questions if needed.

Asking vs. Answering

Ask Strong Questions

Your questions should display genuine interest and curiosity. They should also demonstrate your preparation and readiness for the role. Avoid asking questions about basic company info or about compensation and benefits too early.

Instead, you should ask questions such as:

• What are the biggest challenges the team is facing right now?

• What does success in this role look like during the first 3-6 months?

• What do you enjoy most about working here?

Answer Effectively

Keep responses clear, concise, and specific. Aim for around 60 seconds unless more detail is needed.

It’s highly likely that the interviewer will ask you to tell them about yourself. Take 60-90 seconds to explain your current role, key strengths, relevant experience, and why you applied for this position. If you’re unfamiliar with the topic they’re asking you about, then ask for clarification and politely request the interviewer to elaborate.

How to Close the Interview

• Finish strong: Leave a positive, confident final impression. This is your last chance to reinforce your fit for the role.

• Reinforce your interest: Briefly restate your enthusiasm for the opportunity and why you’re excited about the role.

• Address any concerns: Ask if the interviewer has any questions or concerns about your background that you can clarify.

• Thank the interviewer: Express appreciation for their time and the chance to speak with them. 

TriCom has been in the IT recruiting business for over 30 years now, and those three-plus decades have reaffirmed our belief that it matters who you work with. There’s a reason why that has always been our motto. At the end of the day, remember that an interview is a conversation, but make sure you’re prepared, engaged, and, most important of all, yourself.