Interview Do’s And Don’ts in 2025

Preparing for an interview is about more than just showcasing your qualifications; it’s also about demonstrating professionalism, confidence, and a genuine interest in the role. Success hinges on doing the right things—like conducting thorough research and dressing appropriately—and avoiding the pitfalls that can derail your chances, such as rambling or failing to clarify next steps. This blog outlines the most essential interview “do’s” and “don’ts” to guide you in making a lasting, positive impression. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or stepping into the job market for the first time, these tips will help you navigate the interview process with ease and confidence.

Interview Do’s and Don’ts

Do Your Research on the Company

Before walking into an interview, spend ample time researching the company. Familiarize yourself with its mission statement, core values, recent projects, and industry reputation. Check the company’s website, social media, and recent news articles to understand their goals and challenges. This research equips you to tailor your answers to align with their objectives, showing that you’re not just looking for any job but are genuinely interested in being a part of their team. Additionally, it helps you connect your skills to the company’s needs, which can make your answers more impactful.

Don’t Ramble in Your Answers

Rambling during an interview can make you appear unprepared and unfocused. While it’s natural to feel nervous, long-winded answers filled with irrelevant details can lose the interviewer’s interest. Instead of thinking out loud, take a moment to organize your thoughts before speaking. Start by addressing the core of the question directly, then provide relevant context or examples to support your answer. For instance, if asked about a challenge you faced, stick to a clear structure: briefly describe the challenge, explain the steps you took to resolve it, and highlight the outcome. Practicing this approach beforehand can help you deliver concise, impactful answers.

Do Dress Appropriately

Your interview attire is one of the first things the interviewer notices, and it significantly affects their perception of your professionalism. Research the company’s dress code beforehand to gauge whether a formal or business casual outfit is appropriate. For instance, a law firm interview would typically require a suit, while a tech startup might prefer a more relaxed style. Pay attention to grooming, ensuring your outfit is clean, pressed, and fits well. Accessories should be minimal and professional, avoiding anything too flashy or distracting. Dressing appropriately demonstrates respect for the company and the interview process.

Don’t Overlook Nonverbal Communication

Your words are only part of the message you convey during an interview; nonverbal cues play a significant role in shaping the interviewer’s perception of you. Poor posture, crossed arms, or fidgeting can unintentionally signal disinterest, discomfort, or a lack of confidence. Be mindful of maintaining an upright posture, offering a firm handshake, and using open, natural gestures to emphasize your points. Smiling occasionally and nodding in agreement when appropriate can further show that you’re engaged and enthusiastic. Nonverbal communication is often subconscious, so practicing with a friend or recording yourself can help identify and address any unhelpful habits.

Do Arrive on Time

Arriving late to an interview sends a message of unreliability, so punctuality is crucial. Aim to arrive 10-15 minutes early to account for unforeseen delays like traffic or parking difficulties. Arriving slightly early not only shows respect for the interviewer’s time but also allows you to gather your thoughts and calm any nerves. If you’re attending a virtual interview, ensure your setup is ready well in advance—check your internet connection, camera, microphone, and background to avoid technical hiccups.

Don’t Forget to Match Your Energy to the Interviewer

Interviews are a two-way conversation, and failing to match the interviewer’s energy can make the interaction feel disjointed. For example, if the interviewer adopts a friendly, conversational tone, responding in a stiff, overly formal manner might create a disconnect. On the other hand, being overly casual when the interviewer is formal can come across as unprofessional. Observing and mirroring their tone, pace, and level of formality helps establish rapport and makes the conversation flow more naturally. However, balance is key—maintain your authenticity while adapting to their style to create a positive connection.

Do Prepare Your Answers

An interview is not the time to wing it. Prepare by anticipating common interview questions about your skills, experiences, and how you handle challenges. Practice your answers, but avoid sounding robotic by keeping your delivery conversational. For behavioral questions, use the STAR method: describe the Situation, explain the Task, outline the Actions you took, and highlight the Results. This framework ensures your responses are clear, concise, and focused on your accomplishments. Additionally, think about how you’ll address questions about potential weaknesses or gaps in your experience with honesty and a proactive attitude.

Don’t Interrupt the Interviewer

Interrupting during an interview is a major faux pas that can derail the conversation and create a negative impression. It’s important to let the interviewer finish their thought or question before responding. Even if you’re eager to provide an answer, cutting them off can appear impatient or disrespectful. If you accidentally interrupt, apologize immediately and allow them to continue. Practicing active listening, such as nodding or making brief affirmations without speaking, can help you stay engaged without jumping in too soon. Pausing for a moment after they’ve finished speaking also ensures they’re done before you respond.

Do Bring Copies of Your Resume

Even in today’s digital age, bringing extra copies of your resume to an interview is a smart move. It demonstrates preparedness and ensures everyone present has access to your information if needed. Make sure your resume is printed on high-quality paper and is up-to-date with your most recent experiences. Having physical copies handy can also be a lifesaver if technical issues prevent the interviewer from accessing the digital version you sent. It’s a small detail that shows you’re thorough and professional.

Don’t Lie About Your Skills or Experience

Honesty is critical in an interview. While it may be tempting to embellish your qualifications, doing so can lead to serious consequences if you’re caught. Interviewers often verify claims through reference checks, follow-up questions, or assessments during the hiring process. A fabricated skill or experience could unravel under scrutiny, damaging your credibility and chances of securing the role. Instead, focus on highlighting your genuine strengths and demonstrating your ability to learn quickly when discussing areas where you have less experience. Employers value authenticity and a willingness to grow over exaggerated claims.

Do Make Eye Contact

Nonverbal communication plays a major role in interviews, and maintaining eye contact is a key part of this. It conveys confidence, attentiveness, and sincerity. While it’s natural to feel nervous, avoiding eye contact might make you appear disinterested or unprepared. If making direct eye contact feels uncomfortable, try focusing on the interviewer’s forehead or eyebrows. Balance is important—hold eye contact when speaking or listening, but avoid staring, which can come across as intense or unnatural.

Don’t Ignore the Company’s Culture

Failing to align your behavior and responses with the company’s culture can signal that you’re not a good fit for the organization. For instance, overly formal language in a casual startup environment or an overly relaxed attitude in a corporate setting can create a mismatch. Research the company’s culture beforehand by reviewing their website, social media, and employee reviews. During the interview, observe the interviewer’s demeanor and adapt accordingly. Reflecting the company’s tone and values in your responses demonstrates that you’ve done your homework and can integrate seamlessly into their environment.

Do Listen Actively

Listening is just as vital as speaking during an interview. Active listening shows that you’re engaged and respect what the interviewer has to say. To practice this skill, maintain eye contact, nod when appropriate, and avoid interrupting. When asked a question, take a moment to think before answering to ensure your response is thoughtful and relevant. If you’re unsure about the question, ask for clarification rather than guessing. Active listening also helps you pick up on cues about what the interviewer is looking for in a candidate.

Don’t Give Generic Answers

Generic responses such as “I’m a hard worker” or “I’m great at problem-solving” do little to differentiate you from other candidates. Instead, provide specific examples that showcase your skills and experiences. For instance, instead of saying, “I’m good at multitasking,” describe a time when you successfully managed multiple projects under tight deadlines, highlighting the tools or strategies you used. Concrete examples not only make your answers more memorable but also give the interviewer a clearer picture of your capabilities.

Do Ask Insightful Questions

The interview isn’t just for the employer to assess you—it’s also your opportunity to assess the company. Prepare a list of thoughtful questions that go beyond basic queries about the role. For example, ask about the team’s dynamics, current challenges in the department, or opportunities for growth and development. Avoid asking questions that could easily be answered by reviewing the company’s website. Insightful questions show that you’re invested in understanding the company and determining if it’s the right fit for you.

Don’t Forget to Highlight Your Soft Skills

While technical skills are often emphasized, neglecting to discuss your soft skills can be a missed opportunity to showcase your well-roundedness. Skills like teamwork, communication, and adaptability are crucial in most roles but may not always be obvious from your resume. During the interview, find ways to weave these qualities into your answers. For example, when discussing a project, mention how you collaborated with team members to overcome obstacles or how you adapted to unexpected challenges. Soft skills often set candidates apart, especially in roles that require interaction with others or problem-solving.

Do Highlight Your Achievements

One of the most effective ways to make an impression is by showcasing your achievements. Be specific and provide concrete examples of how you’ve added value in previous roles. For instance, instead of saying, “I improved team efficiency,” explain how you implemented a new system that reduced project turnaround time by 20%. Quantifying your accomplishments helps the interviewer understand the tangible impact you can bring to their team.

Don’t Rush Through Your Answers

Rapid-fire responses can make you seem nervous or inattentive. Taking your time to consider the question before responding shows thoughtfulness and composure. If you need a moment to gather your thoughts, it’s perfectly acceptable to pause briefly before answering. This approach can also help you avoid misunderstandings or providing incomplete responses. When answering, speak at a steady pace and use natural pauses to emphasize key points. This not only makes your responses easier to follow but also gives the impression that you’re confident and in control.

Do Show Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is contagious and can set you apart from other candidates. Express genuine excitement about the role and the company, both in your tone and your words. Smile often, maintain an upbeat demeanor, and make it clear that you’re motivated by the opportunity to contribute to the organization. Enthusiasm not only makes you memorable but also reassures the interviewer that you’ll bring energy and dedication to the role.

Don’t Ignore Follow-Up Questions

When interviewers ask follow-up questions, they’re usually looking for additional detail or clarification. Dismissing these opportunities with brief or vague answers can make you seem unprepared or uninterested. Instead, view follow-up questions as a chance to expand on your initial response, offering more depth and insight into your thought process or experience. Engaging fully with these questions demonstrates your ability to think critically and adapt your communication based on the situation.

Do Follow Up with a Thank-You Note

Following up after the interview is an often-overlooked but powerful way to leave a lasting impression. Send an interview follow-up email within 24 hours, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to interview and reiterating your interest in the position. Reference specific parts of the conversation to make your note personalized and memorable. For instance, if you discussed a particular project or challenge during the interview, mention it and reinforce how you could contribute to it.

Don’t Make Assumptions About the Role

Assuming you fully understand a role based on the job title or description can lead to misunderstandings during the interview. Each company may have unique expectations or nuances for a given position. Use the interview as an opportunity to clarify the specifics, such as day-to-day responsibilities, performance expectations, and how success is measured. Asking targeted questions not only helps you better understand the role but also shows that you’re thorough and genuinely interested in the position.

Do Stay Positive Throughout

Even if the conversation veers toward difficult topics, such as past job challenges, maintain a positive outlook. Frame setbacks as learning experiences and highlight how they’ve prepared you for future opportunities. A positive attitude demonstrates resilience and adaptability, which are highly valued traits in any employee. Ending the interview on an optimistic note also leaves a favorable impression.

Don’t Leave Without Clarifying Next Steps

Failing to ask about the next steps in the hiring process can leave you uncertain about what to expect after the interview. At the end of the conversation, politely inquire about the timeline for making a decision or whether additional steps like a second interview or assessments are required. This demonstrates your proactive approach and interest in the role. It also ensures you’re informed, which helps you follow up appropriately and plan your next steps.

Conclusion

An interview is your opportunity to stand out as a capable, professional, and motivated candidate. By following the key “do’s,” such as actively listening, preparing thoughtful answers, and showing enthusiasm, you can demonstrate your readiness to take on the role. At the same time, avoiding common missteps like giving generic answers, interrupting, or ignoring nonverbal communication ensures you leave no room for doubt about your suitability. With these strategies in hand, you’ll be well-equipped to make a strong impression and move one step closer to landing the job of your dreams. To start preparing for interviews by accessing mock interview questions, create interview follow-up emails with AI, and tailor your resume and cover letter for other roles, you can sign up for Huntr today.