








Stand Out in the Hot Seat: Top Interview Tips from Leaders
A job interview is your make-or-break moment—the chance to step out from behind your resume and show who you really are. It’s where your vibe, your smarts, and your drive get to shine.
But with countless candidates vying for the same spot, how do you leave a lasting mark? Is it a sharp look, a confident pitch, deep industry know-how, or that one spark that makes you unforgettable?
To get the real scoop, we went straight to the source: a panel of battle-tested HR pros and business leaders who’ve seen it all.
We asked them one big question: “What are your top three tips for someone prepping for an interview in your world? Is it the approach, the appearance, the attitude, or that one thing that grabs you—name the three things that make a candidate stand out.”
In this article, they spill their best advice, sharing practical, no-fluff strategies to turn your interview from a sweaty-palmed hurdle into a bold showcase of why you’re the one to hire.
Read on!
Miriam Groom
Preparing for a job interview in today’s competitive market goes beyond rehearsing answers. It requires intentional alignment between presentation, authenticity, and insight. From the vantage point of coaching hundreds of candidates across industries, it’s clear that the most successful interviews aren’t about perfection—they’re about connection.
Here are the top three tips that can make any candidate stand out during an interview—whether in person, virtual, or panel-style.
1. Approach: Know the Company Like You Work There Already
One of the strongest signals of a prepared candidate is a tailored, well-researched approach. This includes understanding the company’s mission, recent projects, team dynamics, and industry challenges.
2. Appearance: Show Presence, Not Perfection
While clothing should reflect the company’s culture, the real “appearance” that matters is presence. This includes eye contact, confident body language, and how engaged the candidate is with the conversation.
3. Attitude: The Balance of Confidence and Curiosity
The ideal candidate mindset combines self-assurance with humility. Those who demonstrate “confident curiosity” strike the best balance.
Career coaching clients often begin with generic responses and surface-level research. But with practice and coaching, they learn how to deliver insights that resonate deeply. One client preparing for a role at a Canadian fintech startup studied the company’s recent acquisition. During the interview, they referenced how that acquisition could shift product strategy—and offered ideas aligned with it. That answer alone led to a second-round invitation.
According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, candidates who prepare company-specific questions and demonstrate knowledge of organizational goals are perceived as more competent and more likely to be hired.
In today’s job market, employers aren’t just hiring skillsets—they’re hiring mindset, presence, and alignment. Candidates who combine deep research, professional yet engaging presence, and genuine curiosity consistently stand out across roles and industries.
Career coaching plays a vital role in building this trifecta. It helps candidates shift from reactive answers to strategic storytelling, transforming interviews from nerve-wracking Q&As into authentic, high-impact conversations. When preparation meets intentionality, the result isn’t just a successful interview—it’s a confident, career-defining moment.
Rimma Kulikova
First — know the product. At HilltopAds, we’re deep in the B2B adtech space, so when a candidate shows they’ve done their homework on our platform and how it fits into the wider ecosystem, that stands out immediately. Second — be direct. We value clear thinkers who can communicate simply, especially when dealing with partners and data. Third — show ownership. Whether you’re talking about past wins or lessons learned, we look for people who take full responsibility. That mindset translates well in a fast-moving, performance-driven environment like ours.

Justin Belmont
Founder & CEO, Prose
Justin Belmont
1. Come with POV, not just prep—share sharp takes on the industry or role, not canned answers. Show me how you think, not just that you studied the job post.
2. Bring energy that matches the brand—if we’re a bold, creative org, don’t show up stiff and robotic. Read the room and vibe accordingly.
3. Ask punchy, specific questions—skip the “what’s the culture like?” and hit me with something that shows you’ve done your homework and actually care.
Xin Zhang
When preparing for an interview in our industry, I always look for three main things in a candidate: preparation, attitude, and presentation. First, doing your research is essential—candidates who reference specific details about our brand, products, or recent campaigns immediately stand out because it shows genuine interest and effort. Second, attitude matters just as much as qualifications. I appreciate candidates who speak confidently about their experiences but remain humble and open to learning; self-awareness and a growth mindset are big positives. Lastly, appearance and presentation play a role. While we don’t expect a formal suit, showing up polished and intentional about your look communicates professionalism. In creative fields, we value individuality—just make sure it’s balanced with the setting. A mix of authenticity, preparation, and presence always leaves a strong impression.

Mohammed Kamal
Business Development Manager, Olavivo
Mohammed Kamal
To succeed in a business development interview, candidates must focus on three key elements: demonstrating industry knowledge, maintaining professional appearance and demeanor, and showcasing a proactive attitude. A strong understanding of current industry trends and challenges, such as the impact of digital marketing regulations, helps candidates stand out by illustrating both the challenges and opportunities for strategic adaptation.

Robert Hosking
Executive director, Robert Half
Robert Hosking
During the interview process, three qualities can help candidates stand out and leave a positive, lasting impression.
First, preparation. Candidates who’ve researched the company, understand the role and what it takes to succeed, and come to the interview prepared with thoughtful questions demonstrate genuine interest and initiative.
Second, enthusiasm. We look for people who are not only excited about the opportunity, but also possess a can-do attitude. These are individuals who are adaptable, open to feedback, and willing to pitch in wherever needed to support the team.
Third, professionalism with personality. A warm smile, a confident handshake, and even taking notes during the conversation go a long way to help a candidate appear both polished and approachable.
Ultimately, it’s not just about skills. It’s about finding someone who fits the culture and strengthens the team dynamic.

Mimi Nguyen
Founder, Cafely
Mimi Nguyen
When I interview candidates, I always watch out if the candidate did their “homework” of learning about our brand: what we do, our voice, market, and what the role requires.
Second, I have a bias for applicants who do their best to communicate with clarity and warmth. I’m not just listening to what you’ve done. I’m watching how you explain it!
Lastly, own your story. I value storytelling a lot, but your story needs to be true. If I sense that you’re making up one, that’s an instant no-no. For instance, if there are gaps or shifts in your resume, be upfront but also reflective about it. Confidence paired with humility makes a strong impression!
Overall, you don’t need to be flashy. Just make sure to come in prepared (regardless if it’s a face-to-face or virtual interview), curious, and grounded. That’s the combination that almost always makes us interviewers want to keep the conversation going.
Dr. Lisa T. Lewis
I was in management for over two decades and participated in dozens of interview panels. When questioned by non-selected candidates, post interview, about what they could do better for future interviews, I’ve always given the following tips:
Take notes: None of us remembers everything. Taking notes demonstrates active listening, engagement, and self-awareness.
Ask the interview panel thought-provoking questions: There is nothing worse than the end of the interview, when the panelists ask the candidate, “Do you have any questions for us?” and the candidate says, “No.”
Show your personality: Insert your uniqueness into the interview. The candidate has the technical skills to do the job, but the interviewer needs to see how or if the candidate’s personality fits within the office culture.
When I’m hiring for my own company; these tips still apply.

Sara Bandurian
Operations Director, Online Optimism
Sara Bandurian
Preparation is key for success when interviewing, whether internally or in a new industry.
Before your interview, look up common interview questions and practice your answers to them with a friend, or with AI tools. If the interview is remote, you can even have your answers to common questions pulled up on your screen during the interview.
Research the company ahead of time, and bring something up in the interview to show that you are interested in working with them specifically and understand their unique company values. This helps you stand out from other qualified candidates who may not have done that research.
Be ready with questions to ask the interviewer at the end. I recommend:
– What does the day-to-day in this position look like?
– What would be expected of me to achieve 90 days into this role?
– What is your favorite thing about the company culture?

TJ Hughes
Consultant, Red Clover
TJ Hughes
Be Authentic: Present yourself in a polished and professional manner, but do so in a way that genuinely reflects who you are.
Demonstrate Your Ability to Serve the Customer: While HR knowledge is important, success as an HR consultant hinges on your ability to serve the client. That means consistently delivering excellent service and offering honest, critical feedback—even when it’s not what they want to hear. Our role is to support their people function while helping them manage risk effectively.
Be Open-Minded and Willing to Learn: Consulting exposes you to businesses of all sizes, across various industries, with different stakeholders—each bringing unique styles, challenges, and priorities. The ability to adapt quickly, shift gears, and embrace learning opportunities is a vital trait you can demonstrate in an interview.
The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing these insights.
Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?
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