How to do well in a job interview

Fionnuala Ní Uallacháin

Updated on 11 August 2025

2 nóiméad ar fad

Table of Contents

Prepare in advance
While at the interview
Additional information

Make sure you are ready for your interview with these valuable tips.

How to do well in a job interview

Prepare in advance #

Research the company

Are they an Irish language organization? Are they an international company? Are they connected to the European Union? You should always do thorough research on the organization or company offering you the interview. A common interview question is: ‘What do you think about the work we’re doing?’ If you can show a strong understanding and awareness of the organization in question, it will impress the interviewers. It’s worth setting aside time to read about the organization’s history as well as its current status.

Analyze the job

It’s well worth focusing on what exactly the job entails. Read through the listed requirements: what relevant skills do you have that are mentioned? Is there an aspect of the job you have expertise in? Are any of the duties related to a previous role you had? There are many types of analysis you can do to ensure you’re prepared before you set foot in the interview room. We recommend jotting down notes so you can refer to the best things you have to say.

Think about promotion opportunities

You have to think ahead when preparing for interviews. Is there any mention of promotion opportunities in the job description? Does it seem like there will be other positions available in the organization when your contract ends? If you want a career in a particular sector, it’s worth considering the future opportunities the job may open for you. We all have questions about money too. If you’re unsure about the salary, it’s always worth doing the math: will I be able to live comfortably on this amount? Consider your travel and rent costs.

Create a comprehensive checklist

When preparing for your interview, there are many different aspects to deal with, including the points mentioned here and other practical matters: is it a long journey on the morning of the interview, or will you need to take a half-day from another job, for example? Everything will be easier with a checklist. It brings order and structure to your preparation and the other elements related to the interview. You’ll feel relieved you haven’t forgotten the small details, and it gives you the chance to be more comfortable as the interview day approaches.

While at the interview #

Wear appropriate clothing

You should set aside time to prepare your clothes. You have limited time to present yourself to the interviewers, and your clothing gives you a chance to show how seriously you take the job. Make sure you wear neat and polished clothes, and ones that you feel comfortable in. Ensure the clothes you wear are clean and ironed and look professional. If you think a particular item is a little too small or too big, it’s best to avoid it.

Be mindful of the time and your speech

During the interview itself, you should keep a constant eye on the time. If you have a presentation or task to complete during it, be sure not to go over the time allocated for it. This shows your dedication and that you can stick to the rules laid out for you beforehand. Use a watch when practicing to keep track of the time. The same approach applies to answering questions; do your best to avoid rambling and waffling in your responses and don’t stray off-topic. If you can give a direct, concise answer to a question asked, it shows confidence and comfort to the interviewers and that you can be precise and accurate in your work.