How to ace the interview prep to score your next job

Research, research, and more research

Knowledge is key when interviewing for a job, so learn as much as you can about the company, role and industry that you have applied for. This can be done via their website, LinkedIn and social media pages. Google their media articles, review their products and services, and get to know their competitors.

Read over the job position description and selection criteria thoroughly. Highlight keywords to plan for possible questions and think about examples you can use to showcase how you match the criteria.

Ask yourself: who is this employer looking for? Is it someone with strong organisational skills? What about someone with a proven record of managing teams? Be the ideal candidate on paper and in person by showcasing how your strengths match the role's demands.

Master the art of answering interview questions

Interview questions are your chance to tell a compelling story. Consider how you will convince the interviewer you’re the right person for the job.

The questions you should prepare for include:

• Icebreakers – Can you tell me about yourself? This is your personal pitch. Here is your chance to define who you are, what you do and discuss your goals.
• Questions about the company/role/industry – Demonstrate your passion and knowledge for the role and the industry it operates in.
• Why should we hire you/why do you want the job? Here, you will match your key skills and strengths to what the organisation is looking for.
• Situational and behavioural – These are questions that require examples of situations you have faced in the past. These usually begin with phrases like “Can you tell me about a time when…” or “Can you give me an example of…”

Top tip for answering behavioural questions:

The STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a great way to answer behavioural questions. Use this formula to show how well you have handled certain situations in the past:

• Situation – Describe the situation you were in and set the context for the story.
• Task – Detail what needed to be done and your level of involvement.
• Action – Explain the actions you took to resolve the situation in a positive way.
• Result – Describe what your actions achieved and give evidence for why they were effective.

End on a high note

As the interview winds down, make sure to finish off by asking the interviewer questions of your own. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role, but also helps you evaluate if the company is somewhere you want to work.

We’ve included a few examples here to help you get started:

• What does a typical day look like in this role?
• How would you describe your organisation’s culture?
• What learning and development opportunities will I have in this role?
• Is there anything I can clarify for you about my qualifications and experience? (Hint: this is the perfect chance to address any gaps in your work experience and ease any doubts the interviewers might have about hiring you.)

The next steps

While the interview is an important checkpoint, it’s not the finish line.

A few days after the interview, take the initiative to follow up. Send a polite thank-you email expressing your gratitude for the opportunity and reiterating your interest in the position.

This is also your chance to enquire about the expected timeline for decisions and whether the organisation might need any additional information from you.

You can expect to hear back from employers within 1-2 weeks. Give them this grace period before writing any more follow-ups.

For further information on finding work or to book a free consult with our Skills and Jobs Centre, book an appointment here or sign up for our upcoming workshops by booking here.