preparing for an interview

Interviews play a crucial role in career progression and success. They give you the chance to highlight your qualifications and provide an opportunity to demonstrate confidence, communication skills, and cultural fit within an organisation. In the following blog, we hope you find actionable advice to help you excel in preparing for an interview.

Research the Role and Organisation

Researching the specific role you are applying for and the organisation is crucial when preparing for an interview. In preparing for an interview in this way, you gain a clear understanding of the job responsibilities and the company’s values, culture, and goals. As a result, you will be better equipped to articulate how your skills and experiences meet the position and the organisation’s needs. It also shows the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the opportunity and have taken the time to understand what they do.

Research the Role

Take the time to carefully assess the job description, paying close attention to the essential skills, key responsibilities, and overall expectations outlined for the role. Consider how your previous experiences and qualifications will help you meet the employer’s expectations for the role advertised. When you reflect on how you meet their needs, you will be better able to articulate your suitability.

Investigate the Organisation

When investigating an organisation, start by understanding its mission, values, and culture. This could involve visiting its official website, reviewing its social media presence, and reading published reports or news articles demonstrating its values. When you gain this understanding, you demonstrate a genuine interest in the organisation and can explain how your values line up with theirs.

Know Your Interviewers

If you have the chance, look up your interviewers on LinkedIn. Exploring this social platform will give you valuable insights into their professional backgrounds and help you connect with them during the interview.

Perfect Your Responses

When preparing for an interview, it’s helpful to anticipate potential questions so you can respond confidently and thoughtfully. While you won’t be able to foresee every question, some improvisation is to be expected. However, there are common questions that you can perfect your responses to in advance.

Common Questions

Make sure you prepare answers for these frequently asked questions:

General Questions

• Tell us about yourself.
• Why are you interested in this role?
• What do you know about our company?
• Why should we hire you?
• What are your greatest strengths?
• What is your biggest weakness?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• What motivates you?
• Why are you leaving your current job (or why did you leave your last role)?
• Can you explain a gap in your employment history?

Role-Specific Questions

• Can you describe your experience with [specific skill or software]?
• Have you handled similar responsibilities in previous roles?
• What strategies have you used to meet deadlines or manage workload effectively?
• How do you stay updated on developments in your field?
• Can you give an example of a successful project you’ve led or contributed to?

Behavioural Questions

The STAR (situation, task, action and result) method is beneficial in preparing for an interview with behavioural questioning. When answering a behavioural question using the STAR method, you demonstrate how you handled a past situation by structuring your response into four parts:

Situation – Set the context by describing what was happening

Task – Explain the responsibility or challenge you faced

Action – Detail the steps you took to address the situation

Result – Share the outcome of your actions, ideally highlighting a positive resolution

Take a look at the following example of a journalist experiencing challenges in gathering a source for a time-sensitive news story.

Question

Tell us about a time you faced a problem at work and how you handled it.

Situation

In my previous role as a journalist, I was working on a news story with a very tight deadline, and one of my key sources wasn’t responding to my attempts to contact them.

Task

I needed to find a way to quickly gather accurate information from another source so that the story could be completed and submitted on time.

Action

I immediately brainstormed alternative sources that could provide similar insights and contacted a few trusted contacts in my network. I also conducted thorough research online, including credible reports and public statements from relevant experts. While waiting for responses, I adjusted the article’s structure to focus on verified details already available, leaving room to insert the new information once I received it.”

Result

Within a couple of hours, I secured a comment from a reliable alternative source, which added depth to the story. I completed and submitted the article on time, meeting the deadline and maintaining the high standard expected by my editor. The piece was well-received and praised for its thoroughness despite the initial challenges.

When you use the STAR approach, you will be able to give a clear, concise, and logical answer that demonstrates your problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal skills.

• Describe a situation where you worked as part of a team. What was your role?
• Have you ever had to deal with a difficult colleague or customer? How did you resolve the situation?
• Can you share an example of when you showed leadership?
• Tell us about a mistake you made at work and what you learned from it.

Situational Questions

• What would you do if given a task with an unrealistic deadline?
• How would you handle receiving constructive criticism from your manager?
• Imagine team members aren’t contributing their fair share to a project. How would you address it?
• If a customer were dissatisfied with your service, how would you respond?
• How would you prioritise multiple high-priority tasks?

Cultural Fit and Personal Development Questions

• How do you handle stress or pressure at work?
• What does your ideal workplace culture look like?
• How do you approach learning new skills?
• What do you do to stay organised and manage your time effectively?
• How do you handle feedback from colleagues or supervisors?

Closing Questions

• Do you have any questions for us?
• What are your salary expectations?
• When are you available to start?
• Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

Preparing for an interview by practising responses to these common questions can help you deliver thoughtful answers, feel confident and make a strong impression during the interview.

Tailored Answers

Ensure your responses connect your skills and achievements to the specific role and company. Emphasise those unique qualities or experiences that differentiate you from other candidates.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice preparing for an interview with a friend, mentor, or professional coach who can provide valuable feedback and support. It’s also useful to record your responses to interview questions to analyse your tone, pacing, and clarity, allowing you to identify areas for improvement and enhance your delivery on the big day.

Sharpen Your Communication Skills

Your communication skills will be on display during your interview, so make sure you’re on your game when it comes to verbal, non-verbal and active listening skills.

Verbal Communication

You’ll want to make a strong impression when conversing, so speak clearly and confidently, maintaining a steady pace throughout your interview. Jargon should be avoided or used sparingly only when it adds value to your message.

Non-Verbal Cues

Your nonverbal body language can demonstrate confidence and engage your interviewers. It’s important to maintain good posture and establish meaningful eye contact. Adopting open and positive body language creates a relaxed atmosphere that promotes connection.

Active Listening

Demonstrate attentiveness by nodding and responding appropriately. If in doubt, clarify any questions to prevent misunderstandings.

Dress to Impress

Making a strong first impression during an interview requires choosing appropriate and professional clothing. A helpful guideline is to dress one level above the position you are applying for. Use common sense in your choices; for example, opt for more formal attire for a finance role, while smart casual outfits are probably suitable for creative positions. Obviously, your clothing should be clean, well-fitted and ironed. If wearing accessories, keep it simple and choose pieces that complement your outfit without drawing too much attention.

Prepare Thoughtful Questions

When preparing for an interview, remember that you will also be expected to ask questions. Asking thoughtful questions shows interest and enthusiasm. Some common questions that interviewees ask include:

What does success look like in this role?

Can you tell me more about the team I’ll be working with?

What opportunities for growth and development does the company offer?

Manage Pre-Interview Nerves

Pre-interview nerves are normal, but a bit of preparation can help you stay in control. Confirm the interview details, such as the time, location, or video link, and ensure important documents like your CV and portfolio are ready.

Visualising a successful interview and practising deep breathing are great ways to stay calm. It’s also advisable to arrive 10–15 minutes early to settle in and focus, setting yourself up for a successful interview experience.

Follow Up After the Interview

What you do after the interview is just as important as what you do during it. It’s a good idea to send a thoughtful thank-you email within 24 hours to express your appreciation for the opportunity. In this email, stress your continued interest in the role and include the main discussion points from the interview to highlight your qualifications.

Preparing for an interview through preparation, strong communication, and post-interview follow-up is crucial to landing your dream job. We encourage you to approach every interview as a two-way conversation where you also assess the company’s fit for your career goals. Who knows, your next interview could be the new direction you’ve been searching for on your career journey!

If you’d like career advice or help selecting professional development opportunities, contact one of our friendly Course Consultants today at 1300 76 2221 or via Live Chat.