Job interview tips from Indeed's 21-point guide: research the company, match your skills to the ad and answer with concrete results.
By Cosby Khosa · Published
- Research the company and reread the job description for the hard and soft skills it wants.
- Have examples of your work ready, and tie your skills to concrete results.
- Bring at least five printed resume copies, or keep your resume, the job description and your questions open for a virtual call.
- Stay upbeat, ask good questions and follow up after the interview.
Job interview tips are most useful when they are specific, and Indeed’s career guide on 21 ways to make a great impression is built around that idea. The guide, published around June 2026, covers preparation, the day itself and how to answer questions. It suggests researching the company, rereading the job description for the hard and soft skills sought, and having examples of your work ready.
On the day, it recommends bringing at least five printed copies of your resume, or, for a virtual call, keeping your resume, the job description and your questions open on screen. Answers should tie your skills to concrete results and stay upbeat.
This article turns those points into a plan you can follow. It is based on a search extract of the guide, so it keeps to the points that extract stated and adds practical examples of our own, which are marked as such. Use it alongside the other interview guides on OneCareer.
Why job interview tips start with preparation
Most interviews are won or lost before anyone says hello. Employers can tell quickly whether a candidate has done the work to understand the role. Preparation shows interest, and it gives you material to speak about with confidence.
Indeed’s guide puts preparation first for good reason. A well-prepared candidate is calmer, since there are fewer surprises. They give clearer answers because they have thought about what the employer wants. And they ask better questions, which signals seriousness.
A simple way to plan is to split your time into three parts. Spend a third on the company and role, a third on your own stories and examples, and a third on practice. Many people spend all their time on the first part and neglect the others.
Set aside time in your diary. An hour here and there over a week works better than a last-minute rush. Write notes, since the act of writing helps memory.
The rest of this article follows the order of the guide: research, matching your skills, examples, logistics, delivery and follow-up.
Research the company before the interview
The first job interview tip is to research the company. This is basic, yet many candidates skip it or do it only superficially.
Start with the employer’s website. Learn what they do, who their customers are, what their values are and how they describe themselves. Read the news section for recent events.
Then look beyond the website. Search for news stories, read reviews from customers and, with care, look at employee feedback. Check the profiles of the people who will interview you, if you know their names. Note what they have done and what interests them.
Use what you learn. A candidate who says, I read that you recently opened a new branch, and I would like to hear how this role supports it, stands out. Link your research to your skills. Show how you can help with the challenges and goals that you have found.
Prepare to say why you want this job at this company. A specific answer, based on your research, is far stronger than a general one. For tech employers, Robert Half’s technology job market report shows what the sector is hiring for.
Keep notes on a single page that you can review just before the interview.
Reread the job description for hard and soft skills
The second tip is to reread the job description with care. Indeed’s guide advises looking for the hard and soft skills that the employer wants.
Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities, such as using a software tool, preparing a financial report, operating equipment or speaking a language. Soft skills are personal qualities and ways of working, such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, adaptability and time management. Hirebase notes that both matter: technical skills get you into the interview loop, while human skills often decide offers (see in-demand technical skills in 2026).
Go through the advertisement line by line. Highlight each skill and responsibility. Then, for each, note a short example from your own experience. Where you lack experience, think of a related example or a plan for how you will learn.
Pay attention to repeated words. If a term appears several times, it is probably important. If the ad stresses customer service three times, expect questions on it.
Prepare to talk about gaps honestly. If you do not know a tool, say so, and explain how you have learned similar ones quickly. Employers value honesty and a willingness to learn. Our AI reskilling guide can help you plan how to close a skills gap.
This step also helps you tailor your answers. The more your examples match the employer’s needs, the more convincing you will be.
Have examples of your work ready
Indeed’s guide advises that you have examples of your work ready. Examples make your claims real.
Anyone can say that they are good at teamwork. A person who describes a specific project, their role in it and the result is far more convincing. Examples should be concrete: what happened, what you did, what changed.
Choose five or six that cover a range of skills. Include some successes, and some challenges that you overcame. Include at least one example of working with others and one of solving a problem alone. A skills audit, as described in Workhuman’s skills-gap audit guide, can help you find your strongest examples.
Where possible, include numbers. Time saved, money saved, customers served, errors reduced or targets met all help. If you do not have exact figures, honest estimates are fine, but say that they are estimates.
If your work can be shown, such as a portfolio, a report, a design or a piece of code, bring a copy or have a link ready. Check first whether you may share it, since some work is confidential.
Practise telling each example in about two minutes. Keep it focused, and end with the result.
What to bring on the day: resume copies and notes
The guide advises bringing at least five printed copies of your resume. It sounds old-fashioned, but it is still sensible. Interviews may include more people than you expect, and a fresh copy shows that you are organised.
Bring them in a clean folder, so that they are not creased. Add a copy of the job description, a short list of questions to ask, a pen and a notebook. If you have references, bring their contact details. If you have a portfolio, bring it. Our guide on how to apply for jobs and get your application noticed covers how to present your resume well.
For a virtual interview, the guide suggests keeping your resume, the job description and your questions open on screen. That way you can glance at them if you need a cue. Use a second screen or a printed sheet if possible, so that you do not look away from the camera too often.
Test the technology in advance. Check the link, camera, microphone and internet connection. Choose a quiet place with a plain background and good lighting. Have a backup plan, such as a phone hotspot or a phone number to call if the call drops.
Arrive early. For in-person interviews, aim for ten to fifteen minutes before the start. For virtual ones, log in a few minutes ahead.
Tie your skills to concrete results
One of the most valuable job interview tips in the guide is to tie your skills to concrete results. Interviewers want evidence that you can do the job, and results are the best evidence.
A weak answer says: I am good at customer service. A strong answer says: In my last job I handled about thirty calls a day, and my customer satisfaction score rose from 82% to 91% over six months because I started following up on unresolved issues. The second answer, which is our own example, shows the skill and the result.
To build such answers, think about each skill in the job description. What did you do? What was the outcome? How do you know?
If your results are not numbers, they can still be concrete. Describe a problem that was solved, a conflict that was settled, a process that was simplified or a person who was helped.
Be honest. Do not inflate your role or claim credit for team results. If you worked with others, say so, and describe your part.
Link back to the employer. After giving an example, say how it relates to the role you are applying for.
Stay upbeat, even when answering hard questions
The guide advises staying upbeat. Tone matters as much as content.
An upbeat tone does not mean fake cheer. It means speaking about your experiences, even difficult ones, in a constructive way. When asked about a past employer, avoid blaming or complaining. Focus on what you learned and what you want next.
When asked about a weakness, choose a real one that you are working on, and explain the steps you take. Experis, in a separate guide on OneCareer, advises answering weakness questions by describing what you are actively improving.
When you do not know an answer, stay calm. Say that you would need to think, or explain how you would find out. Silence for a few seconds is fine.
Use positive body language. Sit up, make eye contact, smile naturally and listen carefully. Nod to show you are following. Avoid fidgeting.
If you feel nervous, breathe slowly before answering. Remind yourself that the interviewer wants you to do well, since they hope to fill the role.
Energy is catching. Interviewers remember candidates who seem interested and pleasant to work with.
Ask good questions at the end
Most interviews end with a chance for you to ask questions. Use it well.
Prepare three to five questions in advance. Good ones show that you have thought about the job and want to succeed. Examples include: What would success look like in the first six months? What are the biggest challenges for the team? How would you describe the management style? What opportunities are there for learning and growth?
Avoid questions that you could answer from the website. Avoid opening with pay and holidays, though these matter and can be raised at the right time.
Listen to the answers. They tell you whether this is a place where you would like to work. If something worries you, ask a follow-up question politely. Employers that invest in training are worth noting, and Paylocity’s upskilling guide explains what good upskilling looks like.
Finally, ask about next steps. Find out when you can expect to hear and who will contact you. It shows interest and gives you a timeline.
Thank the interviewers and, if appropriate, shake hands or say a warm goodbye. Leave with a positive final impression.
Follow up after the interview
After the interview, send a thank-you message within a day. Keep it short, polite and specific. Mention something from the conversation, restate your interest and add a point you forgot to make, if relevant.
If you were given a timeline and it passes, send a brief, courteous follow-up. Do not pester, but do not disappear.
Reflect on how it went. Write down the questions you were asked, the answers you gave and what you would change. This record helps you improve for the next interview, and it is a source of material if you are invited back.
If you are not selected, ask for feedback if you can. Not every employer will give it, but some will, and it can be valuable.
Keep your search going. Do not wait for a single result before you apply elsewhere. Interviews are a skill that improves with practice, and each one makes you better.
Remember that rejection is common and rarely personal. Many strong candidates are not hired because of timing, budget or internal choices. Stay resilient, and keep learning.
How to read the Indeed 21-tips guide with care
The guide is a general how-to piece, and it has limits. The extract is short, so this article does not cover all 21 tips. Read the original for the full list.
Interview norms vary by country, industry and culture. In South Africa, many interviews will be similar to the guide’s advice, but local practice differs. For example, dress codes, the use of panel interviews and the weight given to qualifications and references may vary. Ask the recruiter what to expect.
The advice to bring printed copies suits in-person interviews. Check whether the employer prefers digital documents.
Indeed is a job platform with an interest in helping people apply. Its advice is sound, but compare it with other sources, such as the Jobscan, Experis and Zety guides on OneCareer, which add detail on STAR stories, weakness questions and common mistakes.
The date is approximate, based on the search listing.
Quick Revision: Job interview tips Flashcards
What two types of skills should you look for in a job description?
Hard skills and soft skills
How many printed resume copies does Indeed suggest bringing to an interview?
At least five
What should you keep open during a virtual interview?
Your resume, the job description and your questions
How should answers link your skills to the job?
Tie your skills to concrete results
Final thoughts
The best job interview tips are practical. Indeed’s guide advises researching the company, rereading the job description for hard and soft skills, preparing examples of your work, bringing at least five printed resume copies or keeping documents open on screen for a virtual call, tying your skills to concrete results and staying upbeat.
Add good questions at the end and a quick thank-you message, and you have a complete plan.
Choose three tips to apply in your next interview, practise them aloud, and build from there.
A few last thoughts on using job interview tips well. First, do not try to apply every one of the job interview tips at once. Pick three that suit your situation, and practise them until they feel natural. Second, adapt the job interview tips to the employer. A formal bank may expect a different style from a creative start-up, and good job interview tips always bend to context. Third, keep a short log after each interview, noting which job interview tips helped and which did not. Over several interviews, this log becomes your own personal guide, built from real experience. Fourth, share job interview tips with friends who are also searching. Practising together, and swapping honest feedback, is one of the most effective ways to improve. Finally, remember that job interview tips are aids, not rules. Your aim is to show who you are and what you can do, calmly and honestly, and the best job interview tips simply help you do that.
Sources and further reading
- Indeed Career Guide, 21 Job Interview Tips (How To Make a Great Impression)
Related reading
- How to Apply for Jobs and Get Your Application Noticed
- The In-Demand Technical Skills 2026: What Hirebase Data Shows?
- Skills-Gap Audit: Workhuman’s Guide to Reskilling for AI
- AI Reskilling: How to Prepare Your Workforce, Step by Step
- Upskilling for AI: Paylocity’s Workforce Training Strategy
- Technology Job Market 2026: Robert Half’s In-Demand Roles