Top 12 Most Helpful Tips for Job Interviews

Instead of trying to convince the interviewer to choose you, focus on the specific role and position you're applying for. Ask the interviewer about the tasks, the work methods, and the process involved. This approach subtly gives the impression that you are truly interested in the job and the company, not just attending the interview.

After the discussion, sometimes the interviewer may ask, "When would you be able to start working?" This question is actually a sign that you’ve successfully passed the interview stage.

When entering an interview, it's important to confidently inquire about the role of the person conducting the interview. If they are in a leadership position, feel free to showcase your abilities, as leaders often seek talented and dynamic individuals to serve under them. However, if the interviewer holds a position closely related to the one you're applying for, a friendly piece of advice is to avoid coming across as overly skilled or overly confident in the job. Instead, position yourself as a "novice" who is eager and capable of quickly adapting to the role. If you appear more capable than the interviewer, they might feel threatened, and let’s face it, in both life and work, no one likes to feel overshadowed by someone else!

So, if the interviewer perceives you as a strong competitor, do you think they will hire you? It’s not always the case, as some employers enjoy working with highly skilled, quick learners, while others prefer to stay in control. Remember, sometimes humility works better than showing off. It won’t diminish you; in fact, it sets the stage for your future growth. Keep this in mind during the interview process.

If the employer seems skeptical about your abilities or is unsure how to proceed with you, confidently suggest that they assign you a specific task. Don’t let them hold your resume and promise to contact you later, as most of these situations result in rejection.

Furthermore, being assigned a task means you are establishing a direct connection with the company. As you work through it, you’ll be able to discuss matters with them, building rapport and proving your skills. This is also a subtle way to navigate through the interview process if the earlier stages weren’t ideal.

Many recent graduates feel uncertain when asked by employers, "What salary are you expecting?" This question is meant to evaluate your sense of self-worth and confidence in negotiating appropriately. Companies have their own salary structures, and they won’t disrupt these systems because doing so could create pressure within the team and lead to overburdening you.

Therefore, in this situation, "You should focus on building a successful career first. I recommend spending the first 3 years acquiring knowledge and gaining experience to lay the foundation for your career. Don’t focus too much on salary at this stage; be honest with the interviewer. After 2-3 years of learning and growth, you’ll better understand your capabilities and the market's expectations, and you’ll be able to properly assess your own value." This is important because, for most job opportunities, employers typically seek candidates with at least 2-3 years of experience.

A successful career is a combination of many factors: business acumen, strong technical skills, impressive "soft" skills... These are all traits that reflect an applicant's professionalism. However, having a professional image will set you apart from other candidates. Typically, candidates focus on their expertise and experience but overlook the importance of presenting themselves with a professional appearance. In reality, this image helps strengthen your chances during the interview and builds trust with the interviewer, showing the potential value you could bring to the company.

No matter what outfit you choose, consider the role you're applying for, as it significantly influences your success. If you're applying for a marketing director position, your outfit should convey both elegance and energy. On the other hand, if you're aiming for an office role, simply opt for neat, clean, and polite attire—closed-toe shoes, long-sleeve shirts, and avoiding too much skin exposure will suffice. Remember, you're going to a serious job interview, not a fashion show. So, keep makeup light and natural, highlighting your features without overdoing it. If you like wearing perfume, choose a subtle fragrance and apply sparingly, as many interviewers are sensitive to strong scents.

In a job interview, it's not just what you say that matters—how you say it and the way you carry yourself are equally important. Enter the room with confidence. Even if it's your first interview, remain calm, stand tall (but not too much, as it could come off as arrogance), smile, and show that you are eager and excited for the opportunity. In many professional settings, a handshake can speak volumes about you. Make sure your handshake is firm and confident—not weak or limp! And while it should be respectful, avoid overdoing it. You wouldn't want to be remembered for ruining an interview just because of your handshake.

Don't fidget with your legs, tap your feet, twist your hands, twirl your hair, or bite your nails... Such behaviors signal nervousness and lack of confidence, and could easily undermine the impact of your words. Instead, focus on speaking clearly and confidently, allowing your best responses to shine through. Remember, the interviewer should be paying attention to your answers, not your restless gestures! Sit up straight and maintain good posture, as this will communicate to the interviewer that you are confident and assertive. On the other hand, slouching will only portray you as lazy and unmotivated.

The first words you speak when meeting an employer can either create a favorable impression or, unfortunately, the opposite. There’s a saying, "A greeting is worth more than a banquet," so treat this moment as an opportunity to move forward in the interview process. Imagine entering the interview room and hearing the recruiter say, "Hello, how are you today?" Due to nervousness or lack of preparation, many candidates respond awkwardly or with a generic answer. That’s a missed opportunity from the start! Repeating the same question over and over can become dull if responses are just formulaic and shallow.

The key to a successful interview is politeness—greet everyone you meet, from the parking lot attendants to the receptionist, and, of course, the interviewer. Employers are keen to observe how candidates treat others, and your chances of landing the job can slip away if you’re rude or dismissive to anyone. When it’s time for the interview, make a strong first impression by dressing appropriately, arriving early, and greeting the interviewer confidently: stand tall, smile, make eye contact, and offer a firm handshake (not too weak, not too strong).

It is widely believed that people with a 'knowing gaze' often have an edge over those who fail to use their eyes to communicate effectively. The same principle applies to job applications: if you're skilled at making eye contact, recruiters will immediately take notice and form a positive impression of you. In situations where multiple interviewers are present, make sure to engage each person with your gaze while answering questions, instead of focusing solely on the one asking. Only shift your focus back to the questioner once you've finished responding. However, avoid overdoing it by shifting your eyes around constantly; aim to create a natural, friendly connection.

Eye contact is a powerful tool for winning over a recruiter, as it complements or enhances the words you're saying. Beyond body language, it’s one of the most effective non-verbal communication techniques, helping you gauge the emotions of others and facilitating more successful exchanges. However, don’t overuse eye contact during an interview—staring too intensely can make the other person feel uncomfortable or even annoyed. Be attentive to the interviewer’s questions, make eye contact when responding, but avoid staring, as this can come across as invasive and reduce their positive feelings toward you.

The way you address recruiters plays a crucial role in determining whether you leave a good impression. Unlike English, which uses the single pronoun 'I' for 'tôi', Vietnamese has a variety of pronouns like tôi, em, chú, cháu, anh, chị, etc., which convey different levels of respect and formality. For fresh graduates, the pronoun 'em' is the most appropriate when addressing recruiters. It shows respect and a willingness to learn. Even if you have more experience, it's still common to use 'em' in interviews with local companies. However, when dealing with significantly older recruiters, it’s better to adjust the form of address, such as using chú-cháu or cô-cháu, but always with respectful terms like 'thưa chú' to avoid sounding overly casual.

For interviews with foreign companies or joint ventures, it's best to use 'Mr./Ms.' or 'Sir/Madam' and refer to yourself as 'tôi.' The pronoun 'tôi' adds professionalism and is perfect for showcasing your skills and experience. Don’t worry about being judged for using 'tôi'; just remember to be confident, but not arrogant!

To secure a job, candidates need to have their own strategies. One such strategy is to start with an impressive CV with a clear and appealing layout. For instance, you should list your most recent jobs first. It's a good idea to create a personal portfolio on recruitment platforms as early as possible.

The skills listed in your CV should directly align with the job requirements outlined in the job posting; the closer the match, the better. How you present your professional skills will demonstrate your strengths to potential employers. The more your skills meet the job’s needs, the higher your chances of being selected.

Writing a good cover letter is also crucial. If you don't know the person you're addressing, start with their job title. In your letter, make sure to clearly express your interest in the company and the position, highlighting your relevant skills and experience related to the role you're applying for.

Many candidates have experienced stressful interviews and wonder why they weren't taken seriously. The reason is often that they didn't prepare enough and sometimes they’ve mentally prepared for failure. They view the interview as just a casual outing, but unexpectedly receive a positive outcome.

The key here lies in mindset. You should adopt a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude so that you don’t feel pressured or stressed. This will make the interview feel more relaxed and friendly, which can work in your favor. A calm and composed attitude helps you come across as confident and experienced, giving you an edge in the interview.

On the other hand, if you focus too much on the outcome of the interview and become overly stressed, your answers may lack confidence, putting you in a passive position. This creates a negative impression on the interviewer, and it’s likely to result in rejection. Therefore, in addition to researching the interviewer, it’s important to maintain a relaxed mindset going into the interview. This will make the whole process much smoother and bring the job within your reach.

If you're a fresh graduate with little experience, you should aim to attend as many interviews as possible, whether they’re with large corporations or smaller firms, as each offers unique experiences.

Through these interviews, you may even receive valuable insights from recruiters. This exposure will help you understand what interviews are really like, and you’ll gain essential experiences that will benefit you in future, more critical interviews.