How to Sound Confident: 8 Simple Interview Preparation Tips

It’s not just what you say — it’s how you say it. In fact, the words you choose make up less than 10% of the message the interviewer absorbs. Think about your favourite swear word: the same word can sound threatening, hilarious, affectionate or sarcastic depending on the tone. That’s the power of delivery.

When you tell an interviewer you’re the best person for the job, they’ll only believe you if your tone, posture and body language back it up. Below are eight practical confidence-building techniques we teach in our interview coaching programs to help candidates sound credible, composed and convincing.

The 7–38–55 Rule

Psychologist Albert Mehrabian famously found that when communication is emotional or ambiguous:

• 7% of meaning comes from the actual words
• 38% comes from tone, pitch and pace
• 55% comes from facial expression and body language

In simple terms: if your words say one thing but your tone says another, the interviewer will believe your tone. Confidence, enthusiasm and trustworthiness are all primarily communicated through non-verbal cues — and trust is everything during hiring decisions.

Here’s how to use this to your advantage.

1. Pause

A short pause before you answer a question makes you sound thoughtful and in control. While five seconds can feel like a lifetime in your head, it reads as calm and considered to the interviewer. Pausing also prevents high-pitched “panic openings” and lets you start your answer with confidence.

2. Practise

This is the foundation of confident delivery. When you rehearse your answers, the phrasing becomes natural and the nerves reduce. Prepared candidates sound decisive, credible and polished. You genuinely cannot over-prepare for an interview.

3. Remove Filler Words

Umm, ahh, you know, like… These weaken your confidence instantly. Start monitoring yourself during everyday conversations. The less filler you use, the more articulate and capable you sound.

4. Use an Interested Tone

A confident voice is dynamic — never flat. Let your tone rise when you’re enthusiastic and deepen slightly when you’re discussing something serious. Avoid ending statements as if they’re questions; rising inflection makes you sound unsure or as though you need approval. Lower your voice slightly at the end of a sentence to signal confidence and completion.

5. Control Your Volume

Your voice must be clear and audible without ever sounding aggressive. Practise speaking at different distances: someone sitting across a table, and someone across the room. This helps you find the right balance. Projection without shouting is the goal.

6. Emphasise the Right Words

Emphasis shapes the meaning of a sentence. For example: “I did the project alone” says something different to “I did the project alone.” Thoughtful emphasis helps you sound purposeful and persuasive.

7. Watch Yourself

Body language is powerful — and mostly unconscious. Record yourself or practise in front of a mirror to spot habits like fidgeting, swinging legs, slouching or darting eyes. Becoming aware of these allows you to correct them. If you want to go deeper, Alan and Barbara Pease’s book Body Language is an excellent starting point.

Good body language isn’t a trick; it’s a trained habit. The more you practise, the more natural it becomes.

8. Breathe Properly

Your voice relies on steady breath. Shallow breathing increases your pitch, speeds up your speech and makes you sound nervous. Practise breathing deeply into your diaphragm — imagine your heart dropping into your belly when you inhale, then floating back up as you exhale. This creates calm, steady vocal delivery.

Final Thoughts

Confidence in an interview isn’t about pretending. It’s about aligning your tone, body language and delivery with the message you’re trying to communicate. When all three match, you sound capable, trustworthy and ready.

Work on your voice, breath, posture and tone at home until you feel comfortable with your range. These skills pay off massively in job interviews — and in career communication in general.

If you want personalised practice, feedback or mock interviews, our Interview Coaching Service can help you elevate your performance and present yourself with confidence and clarity.