Essential Tips for Mastering the Art of the Interview

Interviews can feel daunting at the best of times, and as the market softens, the balance of power shifts quickly from supply to demand, allowing employers to be more selective in appointing candidates into key positions. This heightened competition often places downward pressure on wages—an unwelcome reality given the looming stagflation across Western economies.

For employers, the result is frequently a pool of overqualified applicants, as senior professionals who have faced redundancy step down in title and accountability for the security of a role, competing directly against candidates who are striving to step up. While this may sound advantageous for hiring managers, it often distorts expectations of the "ideal" candidate profile.

The challenge is not always in the appointment itself, but in how the spread of candidate experience skews the interview process. Senior professionals typically bring well-honed presentation skills, accustomed to engaging with executive stakeholders, while more junior candidates may have stronger technical hunger but less polish in communication.

A recruitment process does not always reward the most suitable person; in fact, it can fail spectacularly at this. Much like purchasing a property with minimal exposure beforehand, recruitment is a high-stakes decision made with limited evidence. References are often inadequate as risk management tools, leaving both candidates and employers to navigate what can feel like an uncoordinated game of chance.

For candidates out of work, the process can be particularly unforgiving. The fragmentation of the job market, combined with layers of technology and automated systems, means even achieving acknowledgement feels like progress. Securing an interview is an accomplishment in itself, but the adrenaline it generates often overwhelms, leading to underperformance. This is not to excuse poor preparation, but to highlight the intensity of the experience.

It is a rapid descent from optimism about one’s skills and future ambitions to self-doubt and insecurity, as rejections accumulate. The irony is that repeated failures often erode performance further, candidates may overcompensate, underprepare, or project frustration, energy that inevitably carries into the interview itself.

The truth is simple: the market is tough, arguably tougher now than at any point in recent memory. Systems, policies, and competition add layers of complexity, and securing an interesting role requires not only professional capability but also the ability to present it effectively. Many candidates fail not because they lack the skills, but because they struggle to articulate them under pressure. This is where preparation matters.

And by preparation, I do not mean only researching the company, its structure, or its market position. True preparation is about performing in an interview, being able to communicate clearly, confidently, and with impact. Too many professionals assume that their career history will speak for itself. It won’t. After 25 years in recruitment, I can say confidently that only a handful of people possess a natural ability to interview well. The rest must build the skill deliberately: learning how to structure responses, keep the interviewer engaged, and even guide less experienced interviewers so that key information is surfaced and acknowledged.

So, how can you prepare to give yourself the best chance of success?

1. Prepare your elevator pitch.

At the start of almost every interview, you will be asked to introduce yourself. The default response—recounting your career from its beginning is a mistake. It creates a long monologue filled with irrelevant detail. Instead, prepare a concise, nonlinear summary highlighting your years of experience, industries covered, budgets managed, teams led, and core skills developed. Keep it to 30 seconds; this sets the tone and invites engagement.

2. Avoid acronyms and jargon.

Do not assume the interviewer shares your knowledge of internal company shorthand. Many won’t admit they don’t understand, leaving your point lost. Use full terms and clear explanations, this ensures clarity and eliminates unnecessary risk.

3. Provide context for your achievements.

Stating outcomes without context weakens your impact. Always anchor achievements by describing the organisation, the catalyst for action, and the value delivered. Use structured, succinct responses that invite dialogue rather than lengthy monologues.

4. Distinguish relevant from non-relevant information.

Your personal highlights may matter deeply to you, but not necessarily to the interviewer. Know the difference, and prepare examples that are both professional and personal so you can adapt to the line of questioning.

5. Answer the question—don’t lecture.

When faced with a technical question, resist the urge to explain the theory at length. Often this is a stalling tactic to buy thinking time, but it risks losing the interviewer’s attention. Instead, prepare structured responses that are clear and precise.

6. Present with energy.

Especially in virtual interviews, remember to smile, maintain eye contact, and use gestures naturally. Avoid defensive postures like crossed arms. Presentation and energy account for at least half of the impression you create your CV alone will not carry you.

7. Align your CV with your interview style.

Your CV is part of your presentation. Long, detailed resumes often signal a verbose interview style, while overly sparse resumes can indicate weak examples in discussion. Aim for balance, 2 to 3 pages is ideal, with enough data to set context and support conversation.

Interviews are hard, and rejection is part of the process, however preparing in the right way can make a big difference to your outcomes. Only one person can be appointed to each role, and the market has more candidates than opportunities. Resilience is essential. Do not internalise rejection as a reflection of your capability. When the right role aligns with your skills, salary expectations, and culture fit, the offer will come.