Top 100 Tricks to Crack Any Interview: The Ultimate Guide

Cracking an interview can feel overwhelming, but with the right preparation and mindset, you can dramatically increase your chances of success. In this comprehensive guide, we’ve compiled top 100 tricks to crack any interview, designed for beginners and experienced professionals alike.

1. Preparation Tricks

1. Research the company — mission, products, competitors, recent news. Example: Google
2. Learn the job description inside out; match your skills to each requirement.
3. Study the interviewer(s) on LinkedIn and find common ground.
4. Know the company values and prepare 1–2 stories that show you live them.
5. Re-read your resume and be ready to explain every bullet.
6. Prepare a 60–90 second professional intro (elevator pitch).
7. Prepare 4–6 STAR stories (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for common themes.
8. Anticipate role-specific technical questions and practice answers.
9. Prepare concise answers for weaknesses and career gaps.
10. Practice behavioral answers aloud — record and listen for clarity.
11. Mock interview with a friend or coach; get honest feedback.
12. Prepare a list of insightful questions to ask the interviewer.
13. Learn key metrics/terms relevant to the industry.
14. Prepare examples showing impact with numbers (%, revenue, time saved).
15. Know the interview format (panel, coding, case, take-home) and practice that style.
16. If coding, practice on a whiteboard or shared editor; speak your thought process.
17. Prepare one short story that shows quick learning and one showing leadership.
18. Bring physical copies of resume and portfolio (if in-person).
19. Know your salary expectations and reasoning, not just a number.
20. Plan route/zoom link, tech, and environment the day before.

2. Resume & Online Presence Tricks

21. Tailor your resume for the job — highlight most relevant achievements first.
22. Use action verbs and quantify accomplishments.
23. Keep resume clean, one page if early-career; two pages max if senior.
24. Ensure LinkedIn matches your resume and has a professional photo.
25. Have a short, clear headline on LinkedIn (role + value).
26. Remove outdated or irrelevant details that distract.
27. Add links to portfolio, GitHub, or published work.
28. Clean up public social media — hiring managers check.
29. Put keywords from the job description in your resume (for ATS).
30. Use a brief cover note/email that points to 2–3 top achievements.

3. Communication & Storytelling Tricks

31. Speak clearly and at a steady pace; avoid filler words (“um”, “like”).
32. Use the STAR method for structured, memorable answers.
33. Start answers with the conclusion, then justify (answer-first approach).
34. Use numbers and specifics — they make stories believable.
35. Answer directly, then add context; don’t ramble.
36. Mirror the interviewer’s energy and terminology subtly.
37. Tell one memorable accomplishment early to set the tone.
38. When unsure, ask clarifying questions before answering.
39. Use concrete verbs and avoid vague claims.
40. Balance “I” and “we” when discussing contributions and team wins.
41. If you don’t know something, explain how you’d find the answer.
42. Prepare a 2–3 sentence “failure + lesson” story.
43. When asked about long-term goals, align them with company values.
44. Explain transferable skills for role transitions.
45. End answers with a clear takeaway or result.

4. Body Language & Presence

46. Maintain comfortable eye contact.
47. Sit upright, lean slightly forward to show interest.
48. Smile naturally at greeting and when appropriate.
49. Use hand gestures sparingly to emphasize points.
50. Avoid fidgeting; hands on lap or table are fine.
51. Occasionally nod to show active listening.
52. Dress appropriately — slightly more formal than company norm.
53. Match vocal energy to company culture.
54. For remote: camera at eye level, neutral background, good lighting.
55. Test audio and internet beforehand; have a backup device ready.

5. Handling Tough Questions

56. Provide a researched salary range when asked.
57. Choose a real weakness + improvement plan.
58. Explain career gaps briefly with recent upskilling/projects.
59. Show knowledge of the company in “Why this company?” answers.
60. Summarize 2 unique strengths + impact for “Why hire you?”
61. Pause and think if interrupted; don’t rush.
62. Redirect inappropriate questions professionally.
63. Use bridging phrases to steer answers.
64. Structure hypothetical/case answers clearly.
65. Own mistakes, explain corrective actions and lessons learned.
66. Think aloud during competency tests.
67. Propose 30/60/90 day plans if skills gap is raised.
68. Focus on process, not people, when asked about previous employers.
69. Be honest if you don’t know; explain next steps.
70. Keep answers solution-oriented, not defensive.

6. Questions to Ask the Interviewer

71. What does success look like in the first 90 days?
72. What’s the team structure?
73. Biggest challenges the team/company faces?
74. How does this role contribute to company goals?
75. Typical career path for this position?
76. Ask about company culture initiatives.
77. Ask how performance is measured.
78. Ask for one key problem you could solve in first month.
79. Optional: industry trends relevant to company.
80. Always end with “Is there anything else you’d like me to clarify?”

7. Follow-Up & Negotiation

81. Send a thank-you email within 24 hours; personalize it.
82. Reference 1–2 key discussion points to reinforce your value.
83. Follow up after 1–2 weeks if no response.
84. Negotiate respectfully using market data and your skills.
85. Be flexible with benefits if salary is constrained.
86. Express enthusiasm for role and company in all correspondence.
87. Keep all communications professional and concise.
88. Maintain LinkedIn connection if appropriate.
89. Reflect on feedback to improve future interviews.
90. Consider a mentor/coach for ongoing interview skill growth.

8. Video & Online Interviews

91. Maintain eye contact with the camera.
92. Ensure good lighting and minimal background noise.
93. Keep a professional or neutral background.
94. Have water and pen/paper ready for notes.
95. Dress professionally head-to-toe, even if only upper half is visible.
96. Minimize distractions; notify household to avoid interruptions.
97. Check internet stability; have backup plan.
98. Smile and show energy throughout the conversation.
99. Keep answers structured, concise, and engaging.
100. Have cheat-sheet offline for key points (don’t read verbatim).

9. Mindset & Soft Skills

101. Stay confident: self-belief reflects in communication.
102. Be curious and ask insightful questions.
103. Practice resilience: learn from every interview.
104. Maintain positivity; avoid negative remarks about previous employers.
105. Be adaptable; show flexibility and problem-solving approach.

Follow these 100 proven tricks to crack any interview, and you’ll dramatically increase your chances of landing your dream job. Remember, preparation, communication, body language, and professional follow-up are the keys to success!

For further reading on interview preparation and career success, check out Forbes Career Advice.