Job interviews
An interview lets you showcase your skills, experience and your suitability for a particular job. Learn the typical interview structure and how to prepare.
What is an interview?
An interview is a formal conversation potential employers use to assess if you’re suitable for a particular job.
During an interview you can:
elaborate on your CV
show your expertise, and
leave a lasting positive impression.
You can also use this time to assess whether the job and organisation are the right fit for you.
An interview is a meeting between you and at least one person from the hiring organisation. Interviews can be in person, over the phone or via video conference (on platforms like Teams, Zoom or FaceTime).
Learn more about remote job interviews.
Preparing for your interview
Being prepared can make the difference being a successful or unsuccessful candidate.
Research the organisation
Know its history, values and any relevant news or activities. Use this research to plan your answers – it shows initiative and enthusiasm for the job.
Use your research to prepare some questions to ask in the interview.
Know your CV
Be ready to discuss your CV. Make sure you can:
highlight experiences related to the role that’s on offer
address any gaps in employment.
Practice your responses
While every interview is different, common questions include:
‘Tell me about yourself’
‘Why do you want this job?’
Prepare concise and effective answers for these.
Use specific examples
Answer questions that focus on how you approach things with specific examples.
Questions like this could include:
‘Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult person?
‘How do you manage conflicting priorities?’
When providing your answer, you should cover:
What the situation was.
The task(s) involved.
The action(s) you took.
The result that was achieved or how the issue was resolved.
This is commonly known as the STAR method.
Good examples help illustrate your accomplishments and show how you approach challenges. They can come from a previous role such as a part-time job or while you were studying.
Learn more about answering interview questions.
Dress appropriately
Match your interview outfit to the company’s culture. When in doubt, it's better to be overdressed than underdressed.
Arrive early
Aim to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. This means you won’t be late due to any delays. Instead, you can use this time to calm your nerves.
During the interview
Listen carefully
Pay close attention to the interview questions. You’ll be able to give the best answer and it shows a genuine interest in the position. If you don't hear a question properly ask the interviewer to repeat it.
Asking questions
Relevant and insightful questions demonstrate your interest in the role and will help you assess if the organisation is the right fit for you.
Your body language
Use your body language to convey confidence and enthusiasm. This includes offering a firm handshake, maintaining eye contact and sitting up straight.
Facial expressions
Smile when appropriate and avoid expressions that might show disinterest or disagreement unless appropriate for the conversation.
Confirming next steps
Before finishing, ask about the next steps in the hiring process. This shows you’re eager and proactive.
After the interview
Evaluate how it went
Think about what went well and what you could do better next time. Reflecting on how you went can help you present better in future interviews.
Follow up
Send a brief thank you for the opportunity to apply and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role.
Stay positive
If you don’t get the job, don’t get discouraged. Each interview is a learning experience. Use it to refine your approach and keep looking for opportunities.