Photo by Esra Afşar on Unsplash
Interviews can feel intimidating. Full attention, tough questions, and the pressure of wanting to make the best impression possible can be a lot.
But here is the thing. With the right preparation, you can walk in calm, collected, and confident. As a recruiter, I have coached candidates at all stages of their careers, and the ones who stand out are not necessarily the most experienced. It is the ones who are prepared.
Here are five steps that will help you build interview confidence. As a bonus tip, feel free to include a little humor to keep it fun.
1. Predict What Is Coming
Interviewers tend to draw from the same pool of questions: “Tell me about yourself,” “What is your greatest strength?” “Why do you want this role?”
Do not get caught off guard. Do some quick research. Google “Job Title interview questions” or get specific with “Company Name + Job Title interview questions.” Always review the job description or job listing before the interview so the information is fresh in your mind.
It is not cheating, it is studying for the test.
2. Write It Down
Thinking through answers in your head feels productive, but when the nerves hit, your mind can go blank. Writing things down forces clarity.
Use bullet points to capture your key ideas. You will organize your thoughts, cut the fluff, and actually remember what matters most. Consider it your personal “cheat sheet.” Do not worry, you will not need to bring it in. The preparation itself does the trick. If it is a video interview, you can even keep it nearby.
3. Practice Out Loud
Reading silently is not practice. You need to hear yourself.
Say your answers out loud, record them, and play them back. Yes, it feels awkward and no one loves hearing their own voice recorded, but it is the fastest way to catch filler words or confusing phrasing.
Even better, practice with a trusted friend or mentor who can give honest feedback. If they have been on the interviewer’s side of the table, they will tell you what really matters.
4. Mind Your Presence
Confidence is not just what you say, it is how you show up.
Dress like you already belong in the role.
Sit up straight, since slouching sends the wrong message.
Make eye contact. If it is a video interview, look at the camera to simulate eye contact.
Do not chew gum.
You do not need to be flashy. You just need to present yourself as someone who takes the opportunity seriously.
5. Remember, It Is a Conversation
Here is the secret most candidates forget: interviews are not one-sided. You are interviewing them as well.
Ask thoughtful questions about the role, the team, and the company. It shows curiosity, initiative, and genuine interest. Treating it like a two-way conversation will help you relax and come across more authentically.
Final Thought
Interview confidence is not magic, it is preparation. The more you invest in predicting, writing, practicing, presenting, and engaging, the less nervous you will feel. Confidence is contagious, and it makes interviewers believe in you as well.
Now go crush that interview. You have got this.
Written by: Emily Henion, Senior Search Consultant at Hunter Crown, LLC
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