Interviews are the most critical stage of any job search. They are an opportunity for your potential employer to meet you and see what you have to offer, and they are also an opportunity to learn more about who you will be working for. That's why it makes sense to spend time preparing for interviews.
In this mselect career services guide, we will show you how to prepare by researching and practising your pitch, as well as learning to dress for success.
Where to start with preparing for job interviews
At this point, we are guessing you already have an interview notification - Congratulations! Let's start by planning your preparation time.
Before your interview, you will need to:
Conduct more research into the company and job you are interviewing for
Consider the questions you will be asked and your responses
Practice how to introduce yourself
Make plans for what to wear
Collect what you need to bring with you
The guide below contains lots of information to give you the best head start on your preparations. Bookmark the page so you can return to us anytime during your process.
Stage 1 of interview preparation: Research the company and the position.
Earlier in your job search, you will have spent a lot of time researching your industry. You will have identified companies and jobs you want to apply for. It's now time to go back to that research - what did you learn, and what could help you in your interview?
It is okay to feel like you need a refresher here. In fact, we encourage it because it has probably been a while since you reviewed this initial job research. What you need to do now is extend upon it.
Why? Because researching the company and the position you are interviewing for is crucial. It helps you understand the company's culture, values, goals, and specific job responsibilities and requirements. In turn, you can use that research to show why you are an excellent fit for the job.
To learn more about the company you are applying to work with, visit its website and social media pages. Look for information about the company's mission, history, products or services, and recent news or updates. You can also use online resources such as LinkedIn and industry-specific websites to learn more about the company and its competitors.
To understand the job responsibilities and requirements, carefully review the employer's job description. Note the critical skills, qualifications, and experience they are looking for. This will help you tailor your Q&As (which we will go through below).
Make plenty of notes, be bold, and take some pointers to your interview if needed. Look through them before entering the room. These are particularly useful if you want to discuss figures or projects.
Stage 2 of interview preparation: Practising common interview questions and answers (Q&As)
It's essential to consider the types of questions you may be asked and how you will answer them. The key here is answering well. That doesn't mean memorising your answers, but having options or pointers in mind where you need them.
Here are some of the most commonly asked interview questions and answers:
Q: Tell me about yourself
This question is often used as an icebreaker to get to know you better. Keep your answer brief and focused on your professional experience and skills relevant to the position. Avoid discussing any unrelated personal information.
Q: Why do you want to work for this company?
This question shows the interviewer if you have researched the company and are genuinely interested in working there. Mention specific things you like about the company, such as its mission statement, culture, or products/services. You could also mention recent projects that the company has announced.
Q: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
When discussing your strengths, choose ones that are relevant to the position and can be backed up with examples from your work experience. When discussing weaknesses, select ones that are not critical to the job and discuss how you are working to improve them.
Remember, earlier in our job search series, we showed you how to work out your strengths and weaknesses, so go back and use that work to help you prepare.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
This question is designed to gauge your career goals and ambition. Be honest and realistic about your aspirations, but also show that you are committed to the company and the position you are applying for.
Q: Can you give an example of a time when you overcame a challenge?
This particular question assesses your problem-solving skills and resilience. Choose an example demonstrating how you tackled a difficult situation and achieved a positive outcome. Be specific about the steps you took and the skills you used.
Behavioural interview questions like this assess how a candidate has dealt with certain situations and how they might behave in similar scenarios.
One effective way to prepare for behavioural interview questions is to use the STAR method. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This method involves outlining a specific situation, the task you needed to complete, the action you took, and the result of your actions. Use examples from your CVor portfolio for your interview - these are what got you the interview in the first place, so the interviewer will be interested in more detail.
Remember - you will also be asked job-specific questions in interviews, so think about skill or knowledge-based examples you could use to help you show your suitability for the role. These could include discussing qualifications or details about how you manage tasks.
Also, consider what you need to ask the interviewer.
Asking questions in an interview shows interest in the company and the position you are applying for. It can also help you understand the company culture and the day-to-day responsibilities of the job. Here are some questions that you can ask:
● Could you walk me through a typical day in this role?
● How does the company measure success in this position?
● Can you tell me more about the company culture and the work environment?
● How does the company approach training and development for its employees?
● Are there any upcoming projects I would be involved in if I joined the team?
● What are the opportunities for growth and advancement within the company?
● What is the next step in the interview process?
Ask about salary and benefits later in the job process.
Here are some tips for practising your responses effectively
Effective practice is critical to improving your response skills. Here are some tips to help you practice interview responses that show more confidence:
● Record yourself - Use a recording device or phone to record and listen to your responses. Don't use this method to get hung up on how you sound; instead, focus on what you say and how you say it.
● Practice with a friend - Find a friend or family member to give feedback and improve your communication skills.
● Use a timer - Keep your answers succinct but comprehensive, as this shows good time management and open communication.
● Focus on body language - Practice your body language and responses in a mirror to feel more confident and engaged during the interview. Don't get hung up on your appearance; focus on showing you are open, engaged and confident while listening to identify and answer questions.
● Practice clarity - While you must provide detailed responses, you must also answer questions clearly. Practising this can help you communicate each point your interviewer seeks answers to.
Remember, practice makes perfect. But also be easy on yourself - remember that the interview is an opportunity to meet and learn about each other. You need to represent yourself well but authentically.
Stage 3 of interview preparation: Practicing how to introduce yourself in an interview
That moment you step into the interview room is when you'll feel at your most unconfident. It's like staring at a blank page and not knowing what to write - you must make a first move, but you aren't sure how.
Here are some tips to help you break the ice and act more confident while settling into the meeting.
Maintaining eye contact, greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, say "Hello", and introduce yourself. "Hello. I am [your name]. Nice to meet you." - Breaking the ice with confidence and positivity sets a warm and receptive tone for the rest of the interview.
Let your interviewers introduce themselves, the rest of the panel (if there is one), and the interview process. Showing respect here is a great attribute.
Ensure you sit up straight to convey confidence. Avoid crossing your legs and arms, and try to balance your nervous energy with warmth and enthusiasm.
Pay attention to your tone and avoid using filler words such as "ah," "um," or "like" when speaking. Showing how you communicate professionally and positively with peers helps you stand out among other nervous candidates.
Express enthusiasm for the position throughout the remaining conversation.
Stage 4 of interview preparation: Planning what to wear.
Dressing and acting professionally are crucial to making an excellent first impression during an interview. Your appearance and demeanour can speak volumes about your professionalism and readiness for the role - particularly important if you are customer-facing staff.
Wear clean, pressed, well-fitted clothing suitable for the company's culture and industry standards. Avoid wearing anything too casual or revealing, as this could be seen as unprofessional.
Remember, not every job interview demands you to wear a suit, but whatever you choose should show that you take pride in your appearance and can represent yourself and the company well.
Stage 5 of interview preparation: Planning what to bring to an interview.
Bringing a fresh copy of your CV and cover letter with you is always a great idea. While the interviewer should have a copy, admin staff might ask you for a second copy.
If you have a portfolio, remember to bring it and ensure it is laid out with the examples you created for the job application. While bringing extra examples in your portfolio is okay, your interviewer will want to discuss examples you showed at the application stage.
If you have made notes during your research, bring them, too. While the interviewer will not need to see your notes, these can help you remember facts and figures or recent projects you wanted to ask about.
Interviews: Final Tips
We appreciate that this guide has a lot to consider, so take your time to go through it all and bookmark it so you can return to it when needed. To finish, we want to give you a few more things to remember.
The interview details - Ensure you know when, where, and how the interview will take place. Many employers run first-round interviews by video these days, so access to the equipment may be needed. If you are using a recruitment agent, they may be able to help you with this.
Prepare for any assessment tests or presentations - Some jobs require one or the other as an extra step in their recruitment process. Ensure you have everything you need to complete these with ease.
Bring references with you - Not every employer will ask for these at this stage, but having a printed copy you could hand over would be helpful when asked.
On the day - Give yourself plenty of time and space to prepare for and get to the interview on time. Punctuality is key.
Bring your ID and interview notification - Some employers or company sites may require an ID and interview notification to access your interview's building or floor. Make sure to also have your interviewer's name ready so you can speed through reception without a hitch.
That's it - our guide to preparing for interviews. We hope it helps. Good luck with your interview!