How to Prepare For a Face-to-Face Interview

We’re smack dab in the middle of the digital revolution of the century, so why are face-to-face interviews still a thing?

Well, despite every industry’s desire for digital operations, in recruitment and hiring, there’s still that need for face time with candidates. This allows the employer to assess nonverbal cues and your interpersonal skills. And, with the advancements in tech and AI these days, in-person interviews provide a certain assurance that you are, in fact, the person on your CV.

Prepping for these interviews directly impacts your confidence and performance, but how do you actually prepare for face-to-face interviews?

Why face-to-face interviews require extra preparation

The first impression

This is the most talked-about thing (aside from previous experience) in the job market and recruitment sphere. The minute the interviewer sees you for the first time, they’re already forming an opinion about you before you even utter a word.

That’s why your body language needs to portray confidence. Keep your shoulders back, posture right, and make sure to try your hardest to keep the nervous fidgeting to a minimum. Maintain a good amount of eye contact when being spoken to and when you’re speaking.

And make sure your greetings (initial and final) are enthusiastic, your handshakes are firm (not a death grip), and you express your gratitude for the opportunity and their time.

What employers assess in person

Interviews can be unpredictable, and employers will sometimes throw in a question or two to keep you on your toes. They want to test your communication skills, how well you can convey your point, and the manner in which you do so.

Then they’re looking at your confidence level and professionalism. You can either come off as exactly what they’re looking for or overly confident and unprofessional. There’s a difference between being a bumbling, nervous wreck and being uptight and acting as if the employer owes you anything. Finding the perfect in-between can be tricky.

Finally, they would look at what we call “cultural fit”. You may tick all the boxes experience-wise, but if your values, communication style, and work ethic aren’t aligned with the company, you may find yourself on the wrong side of a rejection letter.

Research the company and role thoroughly

Even when applying for a role at a company, it’s best to understand the company you might be getting into. Their mission, values, and company culture are what say a lot about them. And it’s going to come up in your interview as well.

The interviewer might ask you what your thoughts are on their recent projects, competitors, and industry position. But all this would also tell you what the company’s potential will be, and how that factors into your career plans.

Many candidates are guilty of this, and we get it. In the rush and pressure of the job market, you’re trying to apply for anything and everything you can. But it’s important to review the job description very carefully. Match your skills to the responsibilities, identify key qualifications, and prepare real-life examples that align directly with the role.

Practice common interview questions and answers

Questions you should expect

There are the more commonly asked questions that, despite the industry, will come up time and time again. You know, the “tell me about yourself” and “why did you apply for this role”. Be ready to get into your strengths and weaknesses. And there have to be some questions surrounding problem-solving and teamwork skills.

Practice out aloud

You can’t obviously predict what the interviewer will ask, but you can get the common questions down, and maybe it’s not so much the questions but your delivery. Try doing mock interviews or recording yourself. This allows you to gauge your confidence level and clarity. Maybe you look a little too stiff, or your eye contact is not the best.

Remember that structured storytelling is quite the helpful hand when it comes to your interview performance. Interviewers don’t just want to hear memorised answers. They want candidates to appear prepared but not static in their delivery.

Prepare for the job you want

I think we’ve all heard the expression “dress for the job you want, not the job you have,” and this is absolutely true. Dressing appropriately for whichever industry the role is in will add to your first impression and level of professionalism.

While we all have that fear of being overdressed and facing some embarrassment, we think it’s better to be slightly overdressed because you’re showing the interviewer that you want to impress them and appear as professional as you can.

On that note, in most cases, the interviewer may not ask you to bring anything with you. Granted, they would already have an electronic copy of your CV and certifications. But as an extra step of professionalism and determination, you can bring a copy of your CV.

In terms of your personal presentation, make sure you appear clean-cut and neat. But try to avoid distractions that can throw the interviewer off, like very strong perfume or flashy accessories.

Plan in advance

Being on time is pivotal to any interview. You need to take traffic and parking into consideration when planning what time to leave for the interview. We find it’s best to try to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early. You’ll have time to calm your nerves, settle down, and show the interviewer your level of commitment and personal ethics.

Keep a positive and open mindset. We know it’s hard not to stress out and go into that dark abyss of “what if I fail”, but try taking a couple of deep breaths before going in. Whether it goes well or not, you gave it your best, and that’s enough.

And remember to maintain your professionalism from the moment you arrive. Whether it’s with the reception staff or the security guards, those interactions also matter. Try to remain composed and calm, even if, let’s say, you’re unexpectedly running late, or you fumble on a question.

During the interview

Body language is still just as important. Sit upright, maintain natural eye contact, and smile appropriately throughout. The last thing you’d need is the interviewer getting the creeps because you’re staring intently and have the widest, unwavering smile on your face during the whole interview.

Avoid rushing your answers. It’s okay to take a moment to pause before you respond. It’ll help you collect your thoughts, so you respond clearly and concisely instead of “uhming” and “ahhing” your way to the finish line.

And never interrupt the interviewer. Listen actively and show your engagement by nodding and responding when they have finished their thought. If you need further clarification, ask away. You won’t look silly or incompetent. If anything, you’d come off as attentive.

Nearing the end

If the interviewer asks if you have any questions, a real stand out is if you ask smart questions. It’ll show that you have a genuine interest in the company and the role. Ask about the team culture, what expectations you’d have to meet, the possibility of career growth opportunities, and what the next steps following the interview would be. Normally, you’d be tempted to ask about your salary a bit too early, which may indicate the wrong intentions. And try to avoid asking about basic things that you could’ve easily found out if you did some online research.

Thoughtful questions demonstrate preparation and enthusiasm.

And if you want to take that extra step, you could follow up after the interview. Send a professional email thanking the interviewer for their time and the opportunity. This reaffirms your interest in the role.

Confidence comes from preparation

As we’ve mentioned, face-to-face interview prep is very important. Your preparation, professionalism, and confidence could be vital factors that influence how well your interview goes. Try to treat interviews more like conversations rather than interrogations.

Knowing your audience (in this sense, it would be the interviewer and the company itself) would help a lot. You’d be prepared for the company-focused questions, and you’d be able to ask insightful questions to the interviewer.

It’s intimidating for sure. But that’s where preparation comes into the picture, and hopefully, you’ll be able to make a lasting impression that secures you a ticket to your future.