You made it to the interview stage. That’s no small feat. But now the pressure’s on—because this is where decisions get made. The job interview is your opportunity to go from being a name on a résumé to being the obvious choice.
Too many candidates walk in hoping to be liked or simply not mess up. But if you want to grow your career, you need to walk in ready to win the job.
Here are 10 things to do during the job interview that will help you do just that.
1. Demonstrate Your Value
This is the cornerstone of any successful interview: clearly showing the value you bring to the company.
Hiring managers are not just filling a seat. They are investing in someone who will solve problems, create impact, and contribute to their team’s success. If you cannot articulate how you will do that, you are leaving it up to chance.
What to do:
Frame your answers around the outcomes. Don’t just talk about your past responsibilities, talk about your results. Show how your skills, experience, and attitude will benefit them.
Say this:
“In my previous role, I helped reduce customer churn by 22% in six months by redesigning our onboarding process. I would love to explore how I could bring a similar approach to this team.”
That is demonstrating value. That is what hiring managers remember.
2. Make a Strong First Impression
First impressions happen fast—within the first seven seconds, according to research. So, make it count.
From the moment you enter the building (or join the Zoom call), how you present yourself communicates something. Your energy, your appearance, your handshake, your eye contact—it all adds up.
What to do:
Dress appropriately for the company culture, arrive early, be polite to everyone you meet (including the receptionist), and carry yourself with quiet confidence.
Pro tip: Smile. It is simple, it’s free, and it instantly makes you more likable and approachable.
3. Build Rapport
Great interviews feel like conversations, not interrogations. If you can build rapport with the interviewer, you create trust—and trust is what gets you hired.
What to do:
Mirror the tone and body language of your interviewer. Use their name naturally in conversation. Listen actively. Look for moments of shared experience or common ground (alumni networks, career paths, interests, etc.).
Pro tip: Compliment the company culture or the interviewer’s leadership style based on your research. This shows attention to detail and genuine interest.
4. Show Enthusiasm for the Role and the Company
Enthusiasm is a differentiator. You might be competing against candidates with similar experience—but your energy, interest, and excitement? That is harder to match.
If you come across as bored, overly rehearsed, or indifferent, you’ll be interpreted as not really wanting the job—even if you do.
What to do:
Express why the role excites you. Talk about specific aspects of the company’s mission, work, or values that resonate with you.
Say this:
“What really excites me about this role is the opportunity to contribute to a mission that aligns with my values—especially your work around sustainability. I have followed your recent partnership with [X], and it’s the kind of work I want to be a part of.”
Genuine enthusiasm is contagious. Hiring managers want people who want them.
5. Prepare Like a Pro
The best candidates don’t just show up, they show up prepared. Preparation doesn’t just help you answer questions—it helps you ask them, and that’s where the magic happens.
What to do:
- Research the company’s products, services, mission, and culture.
- Look up the hiring manager on LinkedIn. Understand their background, tenure, and department goals.
- Read recent news or press releases.
- Know the job description inside and out.
Why it matters:
Prepared candidates come across as thoughtful, committed, and professional. It shows that you respect their time—and that you’re serious about the role.
6. Use Relevant Examples and Stories
A good story is memorable. It sticks. That’s why behavioral interview questions (“Tell me about a time when…”) are so powerful. They’re not just testing your skills—they’re testing your ability to demonstrate those skills.
What to do:
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your stories. Tailor your examples to the challenges and responsibilities of the role you’re applying for.
Say this:
“When I joined my last company, customer satisfaction scores were dropping. I led a cross-functional initiative to gather customer feedback, and within one quarter, we increased satisfaction scores by 18%.”
That’s compelling. It’s concrete. And it proves your value better than buzzwords ever could.
7. Ask for the Job
Yes—literally. Ask for the job.
This doesn’t mean being aggressive or pushy. It means showing confidence and genuine interest in joining the team. It also gives you a chance to clarify any hesitations they might have.
What to do:
Toward the end of the interview, say something like:
“Based on everything I’ve heard, I’m even more excited about this opportunity than before. I believe I could bring a lot of value to your team. Is there anything you need from me to move forward in the process?”
This kind of close shows maturity, enthusiasm, and emotional intelligence—all things hiring managers look for.
8. Ask Smart, Strategic Questions
Remember: you are interviewing them, too. Asking thoughtful questions shows that you’re engaged and thinking about long-term fit.
Avoid generic questions like “What’s the culture like?” Instead, dig deeper.
Great questions to ask:
- “What does success look like in this role in the first 6–12 months?”
- “How does this team define and measure impact?”
- “What challenges is the department currently facing that this role would help solve?”
- “How does the company support career development and internal mobility?”
Your questions say a lot about your priorities. Make sure they reflect curiosity, ambition, and a desire to contribute.
9. Follow Up with a Handwritten Thank You Note
In a digital world, handwritten notes stand out.
A thoughtful thank-you email is expected. A handwritten thank-you letter? That’s memorable. It shows you care enough to go the extra mile—and it reinforces your interest in the position.
What to do:
After the interview, send a personalized email within 24 hours. Then follow it up with a handwritten note within the week.
Include in your note:
- A sincere thank-you for their time.
- A brief recap of what excites you about the role.
- A line reinforcing how you believe you’d add value.
Pro tip: Reference something specific from your conversation. It makes your message feel authentic and personal.
10. Etch Yourself Into Their Memory
At the end of the day, hiring managers are choosing between multiple qualified candidates. You need to find a way to be the one they remember.
How? By being intentional. Purposeful. Human.
Ways to do that:
- Bring a leave-behind—like a one-page “brag sheet” highlighting key accomplishments.
- Refer back to something you connected on—whether it’s a shared alma mater or industry challenge.
- Reinforce the “why you” message with clarity and confidence.
Say this:
“Before we wrap, I just want to say how excited I am about the potential to contribute to this team. I truly believe I can make an impact here.”
Say it clearly. Say it sincerely. Then walk out with your head held high.
The Interview Is Just the Beginning
Too many professionals treat job interviews as a final exam. But they’re not—they’re introductions. Your goal isn’t just to get the job. It’s to start building the kind of professional relationships that can shape your career for years to come.
Whether you get the offer or not, every interview is a chance to practice confidence, sharpen your communication, and expand your network.
Show up prepared. Show them who you are. And never forget—you’re not just asking for a job. You’re offering your value.
So go show them why you’re the one worth choosing.
If you’re looking to make a change or explore your employment options, then we want to talk with you. I encourage you to contact us or you can also create a profile and/or submit your resume for consideration.
We help support careers in one of two ways: 1. By helping Animal Health and Veterinary professionals to find the right opportunity when the time is right, and 2. By helping to recruit top talent for the critical needs of Animal Health and Veterinary organizations. If this is something that you would like to explore further, please send an email to stacy@thevetrecruiter.com.