Struggling with Interviews? How to Stand Out and Impress Employers

Interviews can feel intimidating, but they don’t have to. Over the years, I’ve worked with clients through every step of the interview process—including mock interviews—and I’ve also spent time as a hiring manager and working closely with recruiters. I’ve seen the common pitfalls and the standout moments, and this is my opportunity to help you avoid the gaps and show up as your best self.

Here’s a breakdown of what works, what to avoid. So you can go into any interview feeling confident and ready.

Before the Interview: Preparation is Key

From my experience coaching clients and through hiring, one of the most common gaps is not preparing specific examples of your work experience. Often speak in general terms or hypotheticals, or using words like “we” instead of giving a clear, specific account of what they actually did in a very specific point of time situation.

What Helps You Stand Out:

Research the Company Thoroughly: Don’t just read their website. Look for their mission, values, recent projects, corporate initiatives, and any give-back programs. Tools like Copilot can add to your research and NotebookLM can help store summarize key insights from your findings quickly.
Save a copy of the job discription: I cannot tell you how many times clients go back and cannot find it later when it is needed most. You can create a fold in NotebookLM to store this along with all of your reseach on this company and interview prep.
Know the Role Inside Out: Review the job description carefully and think of examples from your experience that align with the responsibilities and required skills.
Practice Your Storytelling: Prepare 3–5 clear examples of your achievements that illustrate your strengths. Connect these stories to the company’s values or initiatives. You can use the STAR method to help prepare.
Prepare questions to ask at the end of the interview: An employer will always ask if you have any questions at the end and it helps to have a couple prepared ahead of time. It is okay to write them down and reference them during the interview.
Dress the Part: Ensure your attire matches the company culture while staying polished and professional.

What to Avoid:

Waiting until the end to share all your research of the about the company—sprinkle your insights naturally throughout the interview.
Relying solely on memorized answers; instead, practice framing your experiences with flexibility.
Ignoring logistics like testing your tech if it’s a virtual interview.

During the Interview: Engage and Impress

One of the biggest missed opportunities I see—even among clients who’ve done a ton of preparation—is waiting until the very end to show they’ve researched the company. Sharing your insights throughout the interview demonstrates that you understand the company and can align your skills with their goals.

What Helps You Stand Out:

Show Curiosity and Alignment: Mention specific company initiatives or values while answering questions. Example: “I noticed your team recently focused on [initiative X]. Here’s a project I led that aligns with this work…”
Use Stories, Not Lists: Share examples that show impact, problem-solving, and collaboration. Numbers and measurable results go a long way. Remember the STAR method here.
Communicate Clearly and Confidently: Slow down, structure your responses, and pause when needed. Confidence doesn’t mean rushing.
Ask Insightful Questions Throughout: Show engagement by asking relevant questions about the team, company direction, and upcoming projects.

What to Avoid:

Speaking negatively about past employers or colleagues.
Overloading answers with too much detail—stick to clear, concise points.
Forgetting to maintain eye contact and positive body language.

After the Interview: Follow-Up Matters

Follow-up is often overlooked, but it’s a huge opportunity to make a lasting impression. In my experience, thoughtful follow-ups—personalized emails or even handwritten notes—can set you apart and keep you top of mind for future opportunities.

What Helps You Stand Out:

Send a Thoughtful Thank-You Note: Reference something specific from the interview to reinforce your interest and alignment. This goes for all parties involved, the recruiter, hiring manager and person who referrred or helped you.
Reflect and Adjust: Jot down what went well, what could improve, and update your examples for the next opportunity.
Stay Engaged: If appropriate, connect on LinkedIn or follow up on projects you discussed to show initiative.

What to Avoid:

Waiting too long to send a thank-you—ideally, within 24 hours.
Sending generic messages that don’t reference the interview conversation.
Over-following up and appearing impatient; patience shows professionalism.

Now I always love a good read. I more recently finished reading Think Fast, Talk Smarter by Matt Abrahams. It offers some practical strategies to help you think on your feet, practice clear communication, and reduce your nerves. Regardless if it is interviewing, presenting, or during networking conversations. Check it out.

Combining preparation, thoughtful engagement, and follow-up turns a good interview into a memorable one. The more you integrate your research, stories, and authentic self, the more you’ll stand out. Remember, interviews are human interactions, not just a transaction. By taking the time to reflect, prepare, and connect, you give yourself the opportunity to shine. Not just for this role, but for the unexpected opportunities that may come your way.

Trust the process.

You’ve got this.

I’m cheering you on every step of the way.

Jess Fraser is a Life and Career Transition Coach who works with individuals feeling stuck, unsettled, or unsure of their next professional step. She supports career transitions with both emotional insight and practical tools, helping clients regain confidence, clarity, and momentum without forcing a path that doesn’t fit. Jess coaches from the belief that career change is deeply personal and never one-size-fits-all. Discover career transition resources and coaching at www.yourinnervitality.com.