How to Ace an Interview: 5 Tips from a Harvard Career Advisor

Main ideas / concepts / lessons

• Prepare across three research areas before the interview:

  • Research yourself (your qualifications, what you can bring, and how you meet the employer’s needs).
  • Research the position (understand what the role does and how it meets those needs).
  • Research the employer and industry (e.g., CEO, company history, products/services, competitors, and broader industry context).

• Use the “Show and Tell” method for interview stories:

  • Don’t only list skills—demonstrate them with short, relevant stories that include:
    • a beginning
    • a middle
    • an end

• Practice effectively:

  • Practice responses aloud.
  • Ideally rehearse with a mirror (simulated rehearsal).
  • Avoid scripting—aim for conversational delivery.

• Logistics and first impressions matter:

  • Arrive early (guidance: be in the vicinity ~30 minutes early; announce yourself 10–15 minutes before).
  • First impressions form quickly (about seven seconds).
  • Show positivity and confidence through:
    • eye contact
    • strong handshake
    • appropriate energy level
    • authenticity (adjust your “volume”/presentation as needed)

• Know the main interview formats and how to approach them:

  • Behavioral interviews: expect questions like “tell me about a time when…” (team success/failure examples).
  • Technical interviews: may involve whiteboards and solving algorithms/coding tasks.
  • Case interviews: common with consulting firms—practice case-style questions.
  • Telephone interviews: emphasize setup and delivery:
    • quiet environment
    • charged devices
    • pacing/tone/articulation (you can use notes)
  • Skype interviews:
    • test equipment and setup
    • dress appropriately for the camera (e.g., colorful clothing; avoid problematic contrast like whites/blacks/patterns)
    • pay attention to lighting (e.g., fluorescent lighting)
    • look at the camera for “eye contact”
    • be mindful of your background

• End strong and follow up:

  • Establish next steps (ask if they aren’t provided).
  • Give a closing statement reiterating interest and fit.
  • Send a thank-you within 24–48 hours, typically by email (or a short note if appropriate).

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Detailed bullet-point methodology / instructions

1) Research plan (do before the interview)

• Research yourself:
  • Summarize your relevant qualifications.
  • Ask yourself:
    • How you meet the employer’s needs.
    • What you bring to the table.
    • How you add value.
• Research the position:
  • Understand what the role does.
  • Connect your background to the needs of the position.
• Research the employer:
  • Prepare answers for:
    • “Why do you want to work for us?”
    • “What do you know about us?”
  • Learn details such as:
    • CEO
    • company history
    • products/services
    • competitors
• Research the industry:
  • Understand industry context (in addition to the company and role).

2) Prepare stories using “Show and Tell”

• Prepare short relevant stories for your key skills/points.
• Each story should include:
  • Beginning
  • Middle
  • End
• Practice presenting them so you demonstrate skills instead of only claiming them.

3) Practice delivery

• Practice commonly asked questions by:
  • rehearsing in front of a mirror
  • practicing out loud
• Do not script answers like an actor—keep it conversational.
• If possible, complete a mock interview with a professional career counselor.

4) Arrival and first impressions

• Arrive strategically:
  • be in the vicinity about 30 minutes early
  • announce yourself 10–15 minutes before the meeting
• During the greeting/meeting:
  • remember first impressions form quickly (~7 seconds)
  • maintain:
    • good eye contact
    • strong handshake
    • positive, confident, upbeat energy
  • be authentic and adjust delivery volume/presentation as needed

5) Handle different interview types

• Behavioral interviews
  • Prepare for “tell me about a time when…” questions.
  • Have examples ready involving:
    • teamwork success
    • teamwork challenges/failures
• Technical interviews
  • Expect tasks such as:
    • whiteboard exercises
    • solving algorithms (and similar technical problems)
• Case interviews (consulting)
  • Be ready for structured case questions—practice case questions ahead of time.
• Telephone interviews
  • Set up correctly:
    • best: use a landline (if possible)
    • ensure devices are charged
    • choose a quiet environment with no interruptions
  • Leverage advantages:
    • no need to worry about attire/appearance
    • you can use notes
  • Focus on:
    • organization
    • pacing
    • tone and articulation
    • maintaining energy through the call
• Skype interviews
  • Test everything in advance (equipment/software).
  • Dress for camera:
    • wear something colorful
    • watch contrasts like whites/blacks and patterns
  • Lighting:
    • avoid/consider fluorescent lighting issues
  • Eye contact:
    • look at the camera, not only the screen
  • Background:
    • keep your background appropriate and tidy

6) Closing and follow-up steps

• At the end of the interview:
  • Confirm next steps (ask if they didn’t provide them).
• Deliver a closing statement:
  • restate interest
  • explain why you’re a great fit/match
• After the interview:
  • Send a thank-you (usually by email) including:
    • gratitude for their time
    • reiteration of interest and relevant qualifications
  • Send within 24–48 hours.

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Speakers / sources featured

• Harvard Career Advisor (unnamed; referenced as a Harvard career advisor)
• “Studies” (cited generally regarding first impressions taking about seven seconds; no specific study named)