Be confident. Be prepared. Be open.
We asked our five-star recruiters to see exactly what they wish candidates knew before walking into an interview. These first-hand insights from the IDR team are designed to help tech talent stand out and land roles at their dream companies.
What things do we hear the most?
If you’re a candidate looking for your next role in tech, this is your interview cheat sheet. Head into your next interview prepared and confident, equipped with a clear sense of what to do beforehand, and approach the conversation with ease.
Interviews are usually everyone’s least favorite part of the job search process. Surveys reveal that 73% of candidates say this is one of the most stressful situations to find yourself in. (Novoresume)[1] But they’re so critical, for both sides of the hiring desk.
And hiring decisions are made quickly in this setting, with surveys stating 52% of interviewers assessing candidates within the first 5 to 15 minutes of the interview. (Novoresume)[2] The interview is the part of the job search process where you’re more than a file name.
You can finally take the discussion out of the inbox and beyond the resume, giving candidates and hiring managers a chance to connect as real l people and see what happens from there. Making the most out of every interview opportunity should be priority #1.
It’s not just an interview for you, it’s an interview for them. You’re evaluating if this really is somewhere you want to work, and they’re determining if you’re a good fit for their team. Go into an interview with confidence because this is an opportunity for both parties to learn more about one another.
Do your research on the hiring manager at the company. This is the person who will directly see your future potential at this company (and decide if there is one). What is their background? Do you have any mutual connections or similar interests? Learn as much as you can.
If it’s on your resume, be prepared to talk about it. It’s open season on whatever details you felt warranted a spot on your resume. Talk through your resume like it’s a news briefing and prepare a few quick highlights for each entry.
Prepare examples of your work or skills. Knowing you have the skills required for the job is a far cry from seeing how you’ve applied them in real-world situations. Show off your talent with a few assets directly correlated with the job description so the hiring manager can see you have the critical skills to perform the work required.
Be human. Be open and genuine when interacting with the hiring manager. Speak on what you know best and engage with confidence. Make eye contact and practice active listening to learn as much as possible during this interview.
The most common answer we got from IDR recruiters was to do your research and get familiar with the company. Online surveys show that 47% of hiring managers will pass on candidates who didn’t know much about the company and didn’t ask any questions. (The Interview Guys)[3]
Don’t be in that 47%! Learn all you can about what they do, who they serve, their mission, their culture, their place in the market, their competitors; all of it. You want to know that you’ll be able to contribute to the company’s objectives and get a clear picture of what to expect.
Exude excitement and confidence. Show that you’re excited to be there, honored to be considered, and ready to learn. Come prepared with questions and show a genuine interest in the hiring manager and the company.
Here’s what the IDR team has seen:
An interview is an opportunity and could be the first step toward your new dream role. Don’t let it go to waste!
And our five-star recruiters can help you prepare for it, too. Reach out to IDR and join forces with 12-time champs of ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing® Company award.
Sources:
[1]https://novoresume.com/career-blog/job-interview-statistics
[2]https://blog.theinterviewguys.com/job-interview-preparation-in-2025/