Can't-Miss Job Interview Tips to Land Your Dream Role in 2025

You’ve landed the interview. Here’s how you can secure the offer. 

Go with us and imagine this for a second—that interview invitation just landed in your inbox, and suddenly your morning coffee isn't quite strong enough. You’re over the moon. You’ve done it. You’ve got the job—and now, you can take a deep breath.

The best part?

This scenario isn’t weeks, months, or years. In fact, it’s right around the corner—and we’re going to help you get there. 

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Everyone who's ever sat in that interviewer's chair has been exactly where you are, overthinking their answers and wondering if they were qualified enough. The most successful candidates, however, aren’t always the most qualified—they're the ones who walk in ready to tell their story with confidence. 

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Let's make sure that's you. 

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Read on for our list of expert job interview tips, and learn how you can make your next interview a success. 

Preparing for Success

Research the Role and Company Like a Pro

The first step to a successful interview is preparation. While other candidates might skim the company website, you can dig deeper and set yourself apart by diving into the company’s website, social media, memos, annual reports and press releases. This process lets you understand the company's vision like an insider and applying that understanding to the context of your proposed role with them.

Once you’ve done your base-level research, consider exploring LinkedIn profiles of people in similar roles in the company; deepening for an understanding of who you would be working and interviewing with.

This process is so often overlooked when people give you advice for job interviews. However, it allows you to position yourself as the missing piece in their success story—instantly giving you a “leg up” in the interview process. 

Leverage the Job Description

The job description is your roadmap to success within a company—so it’s important to learn how to use it to your advantage.

This entry in our list of job interview tips requires candidates to read the job description, then analyze it; taking the time to understand what the company needs, wants, and expects from a new hire. For example: When a job posting emphasizes "collaboration," they're looking for candidates who have experience and stories about your cross-functional wins. 

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As you prepare for your interview and read the description, we recommend you also take time prepare answers to hypothetical questions—using those action verbs like "lead," "design," and "optimize" and turning them into concrete examples from your career. 

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At the end of your session, you can wrap it all into a compelling personal value proposition that shows exactly how your unique experience solves their specific challenges.

Mastering Common and Tough Questions

The best advice for job interviews boils down to preparation—in both your knowledge of the company and your ability to answer the “tough” or “curveball” questions.

All About You: Answering “Tell Me About Yourself” in Confidence

Let's start with the classic "Tell me about yourself;” otherwise known as your perfect opportunity to deliver a polished 60-90 second snapshot of your professional journey. 

While it’s difficult to sum up everything your prospective employer should know about your career in that time, but you can simplify it by considering this question:

What is my employer most interested in—and what experiences speak to that in a transformative way? 

We recommend preparing something ahead of time, basing your answer off of your research, job description, and any conversations you’ve had with the hiring panel up to this point. You’ll often find the exact information you need to know for your impactful answer across those three resources prior to your interview. 

Behavioral Questions and How to Handle Them 

If behavioral questions make you nervous, you’re not alone. They trip up even the most seasoned professionals at times—but they are easily answered using the STAR method.

STAR is an acronym that stands for:

• Situation: Before you answer, take a chance to explain the situation briefly, as context makes your answer more impactful.
• Task: Once you set the scene of your response, describe your task. What specifically was your responsibility in this scenario?  
• Action: Now, it’s time to get into the details. Explain the specific steps you took to address the challenge. 
• Result: By now, you’re coming to the end of the answer—so now, it’s time to quantify your impact whenever possible. Maybe you increased efficiency by 25% or received positive client feedback that led to three new projects. 
  
  • If the outcome was negative, however, don't be afraid to own your role or the actions you took—sharing the lessons you learned as a result.

The ultimate goal of behavior-based questions is to allow your prospective employer to see how you tackle challenges. Communicate that clearly, and you’ve put yourself ahead in the search process.

Handling Curveballs

Curveball questions happen—and you don’t have to be caught off-guard. Our advice for job interviews? A thoughtful response beats a perfect one. 

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If you’re stuck on a tricky or more personal question, take a moment to gather your thoughts. (A quick "That's an interesting question" buys you valuable thinking time if you need it.) Then, explain your answer calmly, walking the interviewer through your reasoning process. 

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Interviewers are often more interested in seeing how you handle unexpected challenges than hearing a rehearsed answer, so staying calm and authentic usually makes a stronger impression than trying to answer in the “perfect” way.

Ask Smart Questions

Your interview is ending, and now’s your chance to demonstrate genuine interest and strategic thinking through thoughtful questions. 

While it may feel redundant, we recommend you consider this step as an opportunity to learn what success looks like in the role, understand the company's direction, and get a realistic preview of your potential day-to-day experience.

Plus—asking about team dynamics, growth trajectories, and company culture not only provides valuable insights for your decision-making; it also shows you're already thinking like a team member. 

Bonus Tips for 2025 Job Seekers

We couldn’t let you go without a few extra job interview tips. Here are the top recommendations from our experts: 

• Practice Makes Perfect—And You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: Using AI tools for interview prep are just as effective as practicing with a friend or your mirror—and they can provide you expert insights into what you’re doing well adn what could use improvement. 
  
  • Not sure where to start? Search for real-time feedback apps, or experiment with the voice feature on chatGPT. Ask the tools to evaluate you in the context of the industry you’re attempting to get into.  
• Make Your Application Stand Out Using This Free Tool: Video resumes are the secret weapon of job searches in 2025—and they’re the best possible way to highlight your qualifications and unique personality in one single asset. Submit alone, or with your resume—and watch your search transform. You can start for free here. 

You Got Advice For Job Interviews—It’s Time To Go Succeed 

You’ve done your part by aiming high, submitting your applications, and staying the course. Now that interview requests are coming in, it’s time to show your hiring teams why you’re the ideal fit for the role. This list of expert job interview tips gives you the foundation you need to excel—and your video resume will be a powerful resource for you as you make your voice heard. RealHire is here to help your search at every step of the way. Connect with us for additional job search support, and create your free video resume today!