Job interviews can feel like a nerve-wracking task, but they don’t have to be. Many Gen Z job seekers feel overwhelmed—wondering how to make a good first impression, answer tough questions, and stand out from the competition.
Having interviewed countless candidates, I’ve noticed common patterns. Some candidates make simple but avoidable mistakes, while others shine because they know how to prepare and present themselves effectively.
In this blog, I’ll share what I’ve learned: how to prepare before the interview, what to do during, and how to follow up afterward. You’ll also get tips on handling tough questions, making a lasting impression, and leaving your interviewer with no choice but to remember you.
How to Prepare For Interviews
I always say that 70% of interview success comes from preparation, 20% from the actual interview, and the last 10% from the follow-up. Let’s discuss that 70%, because if you do it right, the rest becomes much easier. We are more confident when we feel prepared and it shows.
Research the Company and the Role
Read the job description carefully, including the listed responsibilities, availability expectations, and salary range. Then, create your resume to match the keywords in the job description.
If possible, talk to someone who works at the company. LinkedIn is a great tool for this—type in the name of the company and see who you know there, connect with them and ask about their experience.
Even though you’re early in your career, you might be surprised who you know at the company and having your resume escorted into the system is a huge help. Good questions to ask include:
- "What do you like most about working here?"
- "What challenges do people in this role typically face?"
- "How does the company support professional growth?"
- “Would you feel comfortable sharing my resume with the recruiter?”
Use AI tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to analyze the company’s strengths, weaknesses, and market position. This demonstrates initiative and strategic thinking, qualities that can set you apart from others. You can put the company's earnings report into ChatGPT and ask the above questions.
Here’s what most people don’t do: experience the company’s product or service. If they sell software, sign up for a free trial. If it’s a retail company, visit a store. Employers appreciate candidates who make the effort to understand their business and know their products. Huge plus.
Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses (to know what roles are best suited for you)
Identify your top strengths using personality assessments like The CliftonStrengths, Myers & Briggs Test (MBTI), or DISC. Some are paid but they’re well worth the money. Don’t give responses based on what you think employers want. Be brutally honest.
This self-awareness allows you to choose roles that align with your natural strengths. You’ll enjoy your work more, perform better, and have a higher chance of long-term success.
Another plus point: Employers want candidates who are confident in their abilities and can clearly articulate how they add to their culture. That’s why knowing your strengths make this much easier.
Highlight Transferable Skills
You might not have a long job history, but you do have valuable experience. Employers generally value adaptability, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, so highlight these from:
- Part-time jobs (customer service teaches problem-solving and patience)
- School projects (teamwork, leadership, and deadlines)
- Volunteer work (initiative and commitment)
- Sports or clubs (collaboration and perseverance)
Practice Makes Perfect
I’ve observed too many candidates talk too much and too fast because they’re nervous. It’s okay to feel nervous but don’t let that get to you. One thing I’ve found really helped is doing mock interviews.
Do mock interviews with a friend, family member, or even in front of a mirror. Record yourself and watch for areas to improve. Speak slowly and use pauses—don’t rush through answers just to fill the silence. Be comfortable with silence. You’ll be surprised that the interviewer will fill in the silence instead.
When you feel nervous, acknowledge it in a positive way: “I was a bit nervous because I’m really excited about this opportunity.” A study by the American Psychological Association has shown that by telling yourself you’re excited rather than trying to relax can improve your performance.
Optimize Cover Letter and Resume for ATS
Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter resumes by scanning for specific keywords from job descriptions. These systems rank candidates based on relevance, meaning resumes that closely match the job posting are more likely to be seen by a hiring manager.
That is why using keywords from the job description in your resume increases the chances of getting past the ATS. Have a specific resume for each job application—don’t send the same generic version to 50 companies.
Use LinkedIn to Your Advantage
Connect with professionals in your target field. The goal? Get someone to escort or chaperone your resume internally. This way, you can get past the ATS and have a much higher chance of having a human looking at your resume.
Ensure your LinkedIn profile reflects key skills, experiences, and a professional (but authentic and current) image accurately. Your LinkedIn profile should highlight what you are capable of doing and your key skills whereas your resume illustrates the work you’ve done over time, historically.
If your LinkedIn is empty, now is the best time to start building it. Use your current professional headshot. Update your profile with relevant skills and experiences. Connect with people in your target niche or company. Finally, post regularly. People who post regularly receive 5x the page views, and weekly posts see twice the engagement.
Have a pointy point of view in your posts so recruiters can learn more about how you think and what you believe in.
What does this mean? It means just being active on LinkedIn increases your chances of getting noticed by recruiters and landing interviews.
How to Ace the Interviews
Make a Strong First Impression
Maintain eye contact and avoid fidgeting to convey confidence and stay engaged in the conversation. If you tend to fidget, try lightly pressing your hands together or keeping them on your lap to control movement.
Dress to match the company culture. This is where you learn in preparation. Wearing the right outfit ensures you blend in seamlessly with the company’s work environment.
If the interview is virtual, optimize your lighting, background, and camera placement. A well-lit space with a clean, non-distracting background helps maintain professionalism and keeps the focus on you.
Adapt to the interviewer’s style. If they appear to be in a hurry, keep your responses concise and to the point. If they are more relaxed and conversational, engage in light conversation to build rapport.
You can ask, "How has your day been so far?" or "What do you enjoy most about working here?" Another great opener is, "I saw that the company recently launched a new project—what was that experience like?" These questions help create a natural and engaging discussion.
Use the STAR Method for Behavioral Questions
One of the best ways to answer behavioral questions in a structured, concise manner is using the STAR framework. Plus, this framework helps the interviewer get a complete picture of how you handle and solve challenges.
By using STAR, you can confidently articulate your experiences and demonstrate your value to the interviewer, even if you have limited experience.
Here’s what STAR stands for:
- Situation: Describe the scenario. Provide context about where you were, who was involved, and what was happening.
- Task: Explain your role. What was expected of you?
- Action: Detail the steps you took to address the situation. What did you do to resolve the challenge or achieve the goal?
- Result: Share the outcome of your actions. What impact did your efforts have?
Example 1: “At my part-time job, a customer was upset about a delay in service. I (Situation) listened to their concerns, acknowledged their frustration, and assured them we’d resolve it (Task). I offered a discount for their next visit and expedited their order (Action). As a result, they left satisfied and later left a positive online review (Result).”
Example 2: “During a college group project, we had a tight deadline, but two team members weren’t contributing (Situation). I stepped up to divide the work more efficiently and motivated the group (Task). I held short check-ins to track progress (Action). In the end, we completed the project early and everyone was happy with the result. (Result).”
Example 3: "In a volunteer event, I was responsible for organizing a fundraising campaign (Situation). My task was to ensure we reached our donation goal within a limited time (Task). I coordinated with team members, created promotional materials, and reached out to potential donors (Action). As a result, we exceeded our fundraising goal by 30% and gained more community support (Result)."
Address Lack of Experience Honestly
If you’re asked about a skill or situation you haven’t encountered, be truthful but strategic:
- Imagine yourself in that situation: “I haven’t been in that situation yet, but here’s how I would handle it…”
- Use examples from relevant past experiences: “While I haven’t worked in a high-pressure environment before, I do well under deadlines in school projects and group settings.”
Build Rapport
When the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for us?”, don’t waste the opportunity. This is a chance to build rapport, make a memorable impression, and gain valuable insights about the company culture, team dynamics, and growth opportunities.
Good questions include:
- “What’s been your experience at this company?”
- “What do you love most about this team?”
- “Where do you see this role growing over time?”
Tip: People love talking about themselves—use that to your advantage.
How to Follow Up
Send a Thank-You Email
Following up quickly after an interview is a smart move. I always recommend sending a thank-you email within six hours. It shows professionalism, appreciation, and genuine interest in the role.
Keep it short, but make it count. Reinforce why you’re a great fit by bringing up key discussion points from the interview. If you had a great conversation about a specific project or company initiative, mention it.
If you and the interviewer bonded over a shared experience or interest—maybe you both went to the same college or love the same book—reference that.
Building rapport helps them remember you. A well-crafted, thoughtful follow-up email can be the difference between landing the job and getting lost in the pile of candidates.
Expect Rejection
Rejection happens to everyone. No one gets every job they apply for, and that’s okay. Instead of taking it personally, think of it as a step forward.
When you get a rejection, respond professionally and thank the interviewer for their time. Showing grace in these moments leaves a good impression—people remember candidates who handle rejection well.
Then, ask for specific feedback. Say something like, "I really appreciate the opportunity to interview. If possible, could you share any insights on how I can improve for future opportunities?"
You won’t always get detailed responses, but when you do, treat them as gold. Take that feedback, apply it, and refine your approach. Every rejection is a chance to get better, and the more you improve, the closer you get to landing the right role.
Conclusion
Interviewing is a skill, and like any skill, it improves with practice. The key to landing your dream job? Be prepared, be confident, and most importantly, be yourself. If you are right for the role you will get it, and if it’s not a fit you most likely won’t be successful in it anyway.
Companies aren’t just hiring skills; they’re hiring potential. If you put in the work to prepare, communicate clearly and succinctly, and follow up professionally, you’ll set yourself apart from the competition.
Now go out there and crush your next interview. You’ve got this!
