I have been in recruitment since 2010, and if there is one thing I have learned, it is this:
A great candidate can still have a terrible interview.
I’ve seen candidates who looked perfect on paper walk into an interview completely unprepared and talk themselves out of a job.
I’ve also seen candidates who weren’t the obvious “perfect match” impress a hiring manager so much that they got the offer.
The difference?
Preparation.
Too many people treat an interview as something they will prepare for once they get there.
That’s not preparation.
That’s gambling.
And if you’re planning to spend your half-day of annual leave travelling across Bangkok, sitting in reception and hoping your personality will carry you through, you might want to reconsider. You could have used that half-day for something more relaxing.
The One-Minute Interview Checklist
If you’re in a hurry, at least do these six things:
- Read your Resume at least twice before the interview.
- Research the company and the role.
- Prepare five intelligent questions.
- Bring a copy of your Resume.
- Prepare real examples of your achievements.
- Keep your answers focused. Around two minutes is usually enough without turning your answer into a Netflix series.
Now, the important stuff.
- Do Your Homework
If you’re interviewing with a company, know something about the company.
At a minimum, visit its website. Understand what it does, what it sells, where it operates and what is happening in the business.
For senior roles, go further. Look at the company’s recent news, growth plans, competitors, leadership team and industry challenges.
You don’t need to become an investigative journalist overnight.
But you should know enough to demonstrate that you have taken the opportunity seriously.
Imagine being asked:
“What do you know about our company?”
And replying:
“Actually, not much. I was hoping you could tell me.”
That’s not curiosity.
That’s homework that wasn’t done.
- Know Your Own Resume
This sounds obvious.
It isn’t.
The interviewer has your Resume. They may have highlighted areas and prepared questions specifically around what you wrote.
So read it again. And then read it again.
Be prepared to explain your responsibilities, achievements, career moves, team sizes, challenges and, most importantly, any claims or numbers you have included.
If you wrote:
“Increased revenue by 35%.”
Be prepared to explain how.
If you wrote:
“Managed a team of 25.”
Be prepared to explain what you actually managed.
Nothing kills credibility faster than being unable to explain your own Resume.
If it’s on your Resume, own it.
- Don’t Just Tell Them What You Did
Tell them what you achieved.
Instead of:
“I was responsible for managing the sales team.”
Try:
“When I joined, the team had eight people and was missing its target. Over the next 18 months, I restructured the team, introduced a new sales process and grew revenue by 27%.”
Now you have given the interviewer something to work with.
Situation. Action. Result.
Tell real stories about difficult clients, projects you fixed, teams you developed, targets you exceeded or problems you solved.
Specific examples beat generic claims every time.
- Prepare Your Questions
Almost every interviewer will eventually ask:
“Do you have any questions for us?”
And this is where some candidates suddenly develop amnesia.
“No, I think you’ve covered everything.”
Really?
You’ve just spent 45 minutes discussing a job that could potentially change your career and you have nothing you want to know?
Prepare at least five questions. You may not ask all of them because some will naturally be answered during the interview.
Good examples:
- What would success look like in the first 100 days?
- What are the biggest challenges this person will need to solve?
- What differentiates people who are successful in this company?
- How would you describe the leadership style of the person this role reports to?
- What would make you say, 12 months from now, that you hired the right person?
These questions show that you’re already thinking about how you can contribute.
And while salary and benefits are obviously important, the first interview is usually better spent understanding the role and the opportunity.
There will be a time to discuss the package.
- Remember: You’re Interviewing Them Too
An interview isn’t simply the company deciding whether you’re good enough.
You are interviewing them too.
You need to understand the company, manager, culture, responsibilities and expectations.
A job can look fantastic on paper and turn out to be completely wrong for you six months later.
So don’t walk in thinking:
“I hope they like me.”
Think:
“Let’s see if we’re a good fit for each other.”
That mindset can make you more confident and lead to a much better conversation.
- The Basics Still Matter
Plan your journey.
If the interview is at 10:00, don’t leave home at 9:30 and hope Bangkok traffic suddenly develops a conscience.
Arrive 5–10 minutes early. Not 45 minutes early.
Allow time for traffic, parking, security and finding the office.
If something genuinely unexpected happens and you’re going to be late, call.
And be polite to everyone you meet — security, reception, assistants and everyone else.
Your interview starts when you walk through the door, not when you sit in front of the hiring manager.
And please, put your phone away.
The person sitting opposite you should not have to wonder whether your phone is more interesting than the job.
- Be Honest About Your Job Search
I don’t believe you need to pretend you’re a “passive candidate.”
Hiring managers understand that good candidates explore opportunities.
If a recruiter approached you, say so.
If you applied directly, say so.
If you weren’t actively looking but the opportunity caught your attention, explain why.
For example:
“I wasn’t actively looking to leave, but when I was approached about this opportunity, the scope of the role and the company’s growth plans caught my attention. After learning more, I felt it was worth exploring.”
Be selective, not deceptive.
The Bottom Line
Your Resume got you into the room.
Now you have to bring it to life.
The interviewer wants to understand:
Who are you? How do you think? What have you achieved? How do you solve problems? And can they trust you to deliver?
You may have 15 years of exactly the right experience and tick every box on the Job Description.
But if you walk into the interview unprepared, struggle to explain your own experience and have no questions, none of that matters quite as much as you think.
Don’t wing it.
The best candidates don’t just hope they have a good interview.
They prepare to have one.
Good luck with your next interview.
And remember:
Getting the interview is not the finish line. It’s your opportunity to prove why you deserve the job.
About the Author
Hemant Balwani
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Human Dynamics | HD Asia
16+ years in Recruitment, Contracting & Payroll
Email: hemant@hd-asia.com
Human Dynamics — Powering People. Driving Performance.