Prepare for your next interview with these essential tips and turn nervousness into confident success.
Interviews play a major role in fellowship applications, job searches, and graduate program admissions, and putting in the right preparation can significantly boost your performance. A great interview gives you space to highlight not only your accomplishments, but also your personality, perspective, and fit for the environment. Committees want to see that you collaborate well, align with their expectations and culture, and can clearly express why you’re interested in the role and the organization.
While most preparation focuses on researching the company and rehearsing answers, there are many subtle techniques that can help you leave a positive, lasting impression. Use the strategies below to walk into your next interview with confidence and clarity.
1. Practice Thinking Out Loud
Even when you understand something perfectly in your mind, explaining your reasoning out loud is a separate skill that requires intentional practice. Interviewers, especially in scenario or problem-solving questions, often care just as much about how you arrive at an answer as the answer itself. Speaking through your ideas clearly helps keep your thoughts orderly, prevents rambling, and shows your ability to stay composed under pressure. Consistently practicing this makes articulating complex ideas feel more natural. The same approach is useful beyond interviews, such as preparing for a postdoc talk, because rehearsing aloud is far more effective than silently reviewing slides in your head.
2. Use AI to Generate Mock Interview Questions
Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and similar AI platforms can create custom interview questions based on the role or fellowship you’re pursuing. They can also generate unique or challenging prompts you might not think to prepare for on your own. This kind of low-pressure practice builds adaptability and reduces pre-interview stress. Just remember that AI is meant to help you practice, not provide your actual answers.
3. Prepare a 60–90 Second Personal “Anchor Story”
An interesting tip supplied by Fred Kacher during an episode on ssonnett micro-podcast, is that, instead of memorizing dozens of separate responses, create one strong story that captures your strengths, motivation, growth, and character. This “anchor story” can be shaped to address many common questions, such as those about leadership, overcoming challenges, problem-solving, or purpose. Using a core narrative helps your responses feel connected and genuine rather than fragmented or overly rehearsed. An anchor story also gives your interview a personal, memorable touch that helps you stand out.
4. Plan How You’ll Handle Curveball Questions
Interviewers sometimes introduce unusual or unexpected questions to see how you think on your feet. Practicing a simple structure (pausing, clarifying the question), and then walking through your reasoning, helps you respond with confidence instead of panic. And it is completely okay to ask for a moment to gather your thoughts. Preparing for the possibility of surprises helps you stay composed and even turn tough questions into opportunities to impress. How you navigate curveballs often reveals just as much about you as your polished responses. (And Tip #3 can help you brainstorm some of these!)
5. Do a 30-Second “Interview First Impression Check”
The first few seconds of an interview influence the tone of the rest of the conversation. Practice greeting the interviewers clearly, stating your name with confidence, adjusting your posture, and offering a genuine smile. These seemingly small gestures communicate approachability, readiness, and professionalism before you share anything about your background. A strong first impression encourages interviewers to engage more positively throughout the conversation. And remember, every person you interact with that day, from coordinators to reception staff, contributes to the overall impression you leave.
6. Prepare for the “Values” Questions
Tyler York, who runs a test preparation platform known as Achievable, said many interviewers evaluate whether your values align with the organization’s mission, goals, and team culture. Take time to read thoroughly about the role’s purpose and the institution’s stated values. Prepare examples demonstrating how you would contribute, advance the current work, or bring new ideas that support the mission. Review the adjectives and themes the organization uses in their “About” or “Values” pages, and connect concrete examples to each one. Qualities like integrity, collaboration, persistence, and motivation show that you’ll be a meaningful addition to the team. Well-developed responses demonstrate that you’ve researched the opportunity carefully and are sincerely committed to it.
7. Don’t Rush! Slow Down When You’re Nervous
It’s common to talk too quickly when you’re anxious, but fast speech can make you appear less confident or harder to follow. Practice pausing before answering, breathing slowly, and taking your time to shape a clear response. Intentional pacing not only helps your thinking stay sharp but also prevents unnecessary filler words from taking over. Speaking slowly and steadily allows interviewers to fully absorb what you’re saying. Controlled pacing communicates confidence and ensures your ideas land the way you intend.
8. Debrief After Every Mock and Real Interview
Reflection is one of the most powerful ways to grow your interview skills. After each interview, practice or real, write down what you thought went well, what felt uncomfortable, and which responses could be clearer next time. Over time, you’ll begin noticing consistent patterns that highlight your strengths and areas for improvement. Keep these reflections in a dedicated notebook or digital document. It also doubles as a convenient place to track timelines, follow-up tasks, committee correspondence, and upcoming application deadlines.
Interviews are often the final, and most significant, part of the selection process, so give yourself the time and focus needed to prepare thoroughly. With a strong mindset and solid strategies, you can walk into your interview calm, confident, and ready to shine. Follow these tips to showcase your best self, and you’ll be much more likely to leave a meaningful impression.
Ready to put these tips into practice? Find an opportunity to apply for.
