Interview Skills
S t a f f P e r s p e c t i v e
Mastering Interviews
How to Build Confidence and Make an Impact at interview
By
Annee Sharma, MBA
Administrative Assistant, Academic Affairs
Job interviews may be daunting, especially if you're a recent graduate or student entering the workforce. But remember—an interview is not an interrogation; it's a conversation where you and the employer get to know each other.
It's normal to be nervous during an interview. The good news is that there are some simple steps you can follow to calm your nerves and make a good impression.
Here's how:
1. Use Open Body Language—Let Confidence Reign
Your body language speaks volumes even before you say anything. Sitting up straight, making eye contact, and keeping your hands relaxed exudes confidence, enthusiasm, and professionalism. Slouching, fidgeting, or evading eye contact conveys an impression that you are uncertain of what you are going to say.
Pro Tip: Practice in front of a mirror or record yourself to identify nervous habits. Mirror confident postures—stand tall, keep your shoulders relaxed, and lean forward slightly when listening. A warm smile and a slight head nod signal interest and optimism.
2. Interview is a Conversation—Not an Exam
Interviews are often handled by most students as an exam where every answer must be perfect. In real life, though, an interview is a reciprocal conversation—half the time, it's you evaluating the organization as much as they're assessing you.
Instead of fretting over uttering the "proper" something, focus on building a connection with the interviewer. Show genuine curiosity, ask thoughtful questions, and let the conversation flow naturally. Changing your attitude mitigates stress and makes you look more confident.
Pro Tip: Prepare three open-ended questions about the organization’s culture, growth opportunities, or challenges. Employers appreciate candidates who show genuine interest beyond the job description.
3. Do Your Research—Knowledge is Power!
Preparation is one of the best confidence boosters. Being well-prepared with insights about the company, industry, and position boosts your confidence and helps you approach the interview with a self-assured mindset.
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Visit the company website and read about their mission, core values, and recent developments.
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Check out their LinkedIn, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages for recent updates.
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Research the interviewer's background if you can—it's wonderful for establishing connections!
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Do some research on industry trends and competitors to demonstrate your wider knowledge.
Employers appreciate candidates who have done their research—it shows initiative, genuine interest, and preparation.
Pro Tip: During the interview, write down three things that you admire about the company and do your best to incorporate them into your answers.
Interview nerves are absolutely natural, but they don’t have to hold you back. Confidence doesn't mean that you know all the answers—confidence means you're a strong applicant. Each interview is a chance to learn, and it brings you one step nearer to your career goals. Just be curious, engaged, and authentic, and you'll create a lasting first impression. You've got this!
S t u d e n t V o i c e
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Stories!
We asked our students about the interviews that did not go so well!
And here are some of the responses:
I was interviewing for a door-to-door sales position, and the interviewer talked about a minimum sales target that had to be met each day. The number wasn’t high and seemed doable, but they really emphasized it. When they asked if I had any questions, I asked, “What happens if I don’t reach the target?” Looking back, I think that question showed doubt or uncertainty, and maybe that’s why I didn’t pass the interview. It taught me that the way you ask questions can affect how confident you appear to the employer.
One of the strangest questions I got in an interview was, "How would this role help you in your life?" I was really surprised because, as a student, I just wanted a part-time job to manage my expenses and be less of a burden on my parents. I didn’t expect a question like that for a simple job. I didn’t know what to say and gave a general answer, but I don’t think it was what they were looking for. Maybe that’s one reason I didn’t get the job. After that, I realized I should be ready for unexpected questions like this in any interview
Overall, my experience with job interviews has been mostly positive, with the exception of my first interview at Tim Hortons in Canada. At that time, I was new to the country and faced challenges due to the language barrier and my lack of experience in the food industry. One of the questions I struggled with was: “What would you do if a customer throw coffee at you at the front desk?” They emphasized that employees were not allowed to physically engage with customers. Since it was my first interview, I found it difficult to articulate a suitable response.
The most unexpected question I was asked was about my program of study. I was applying for a cook’s job, but they asked me to explain my Bachelor’s in Business Communication and why I chose it. I didn’t see how it was related to the job, so I was caught off guard. I tried to answer, but it felt a bit awkward. I think they just wanted to see how I communicate or how I think, even if the question didn’t match the job. It taught me that interviewers might ask anything, so it’s better to be prepared.
The hardest question I faced in an interview was about how much I expected to be paid. I didn’t know if I should say what I really wanted or just agree with whatever they were offering. I got nervous and gave a very unclear answer. I think it showed I wasn’t confident. After that, I realized it’s important to look up the average pay for the job and decide what’s fair before the interview. That way, I’ll be ready if they ask again.
Last month, I went for an interview for a Protective Services security position. I had six months of experience as a security guard, but during the interview, I was asked one of the strangest questions: "If God gives you power, what would you do with it?" I didn’t expect a question like that in a security job interview and wasn’t sure how to respond.
The most difficult part was when the interviewer asked, "What would you do if a celebrity threatened you?" I had never thought about a situation like that before, and I couldn’t come up with a good answer.
One of the most unusual questions I encountered was during my interview at Apple Security. The interviewer asked: “If you were following a thief with the intent to arrest him on the street and had already called the police for backup, but the police instructed you to return to the store, what would be your response?” This question tested my ability to assess protocol, follow instructions, and prioritize safety in a security role.
One of the funniest and strangest questions I’ve been asked in an interview was, “What time is it now—without looking at your watch or phone?” Another time, someone asked, “What would you do if you were the Prime Minister for one day?” I said I’d launch an attack on enemy territory and let the next Prime Minister deal with the consequences, since I was only PM for one day! It was all in good humor, but I wasn’t sure if my answer helped or hurt my chances.
I had an interview in the mobile shop and interviewer asked me a lot of difficult questions like what would do in this situation or what would you do if that happens. For example, he asked that “How would you explain internet”, “what song best describes your work ethics” and “what would do if two customers start fighting”. Most of questions were like imagining and such things doesn’t happen normally. I failed to answer those questions because they were unexpected for me, I thought my past experience something like that will be discussed. So that could be the reason that I did not get that job.
I haven’t done many interviews, but in the few I’ve attended, I usually feel nervous and unsure. In one interview, I was asked if I had makeup skills—even though the job was for a service position, not related to beauty. It felt very awkward. Another question that always confuses me is, “How did you hear about us?” I honestly don’t always remember. Once, I randomly said a name, and the interviewer told me that person actually worked there and asked if I wanted to meet them. That was such an awkward moment. Yes, that's how I create my own problems.
The strangest question for me was, “Why do you want to work here?” It was my very first interview, and I was a bit confused. Honestly, I just wanted to earn some money as a student, so I didn’t know what to say beyond that. I struggled to give a good answer, and I think that’s why I didn’t get the job. It made me realize I need to prepare better responses for common questions, even if the job seems simple
During one interview for a customer service job at a restaurant, I was asked some theory-related questions about economics. I wasn’t expecting that at all. Since I didn’t prepare for those kinds of questions, I couldn’t answer them properly and ended up failing the interview. It made me realize that sometimes even basic jobs might test your general knowledge, so it's better to be prepared for anything.