Interview Advice
Congratulations, you got a job interview!
An interview is a chance for an employer to see if you are the right person for the job. It is also a chance for you to make sure the job and company are the right fit for you.
Contents
Different types of interviews
You may have a face-to-face interview or a Teams/Zoom online interview. You should prepare for the one you’re attending.
- One-to-one interview: Your interview may only be with one person. This is usually face-to-face and is more common in smaller companies.
- Panel interview: Some interviews are with a panel of two or more people. Make sure you look at all the interviewers when you are speaking with them. They may also ask you to do a presentation.
- Group Interview: A group discussion is usually part of an assessment centre day with other candidates. You will have to show you can get along with people, put your ideas forward and be respectful of others.
- Online Interview: Log on 20 minutes before the interview to sort out any IT issues that you may have.
Types of interview questions
Employers use different types of questions when interviewing. Some organisations will give you the interview questions before the interview so that you can prepare but most will not. Use the STAR method to demonstrate your skills and relevant experience.
- Competency-based questions: The focus is on the things you can do, so you will need to give examples to show that you have the skills for the job. If you do not have examples from a work environment, you can use experiences from your personal life. This is called “lived experience”.
- Strength-based questions: These explore what you enjoy doing or do well. For example, your practical or teamworking skills, or how you work under pressure.
- Situational judgement questions: Employers may ask how you would react in typical work situations. This is to check things like your ability to solve problems, make decisions or work with others.
- Values-based questions: Value-based questions identify whether you share the organisation’s values and understand their culture. Please research the company values before you attend the interview. They are usually on the company website.
Preparing for the interview
- Read the job description and person specification carefully. Be clear on the skills and qualities the employer is looking for.
- Check the company website to find out more about their products or services and their plans for the future and company values.
- Go over your CV or application form and think about things the employer may ask you.
- Prepare some examples that show you have the right skills, personal qualities and experience. Use the STAR method described on the National Careers website.
- Practise your timings on presentations and keep a hard copy in case your IT fails.
- Ask someone you trust to help you practise answering questions.
- Think of two or three questions of your own that you can ask at the end of your interview, to show you are enthusiastic about the job.
- Pick out something clean, ironed and suitable to wear. Maintain a professional image at all times.
- Check what time you need to arrive and the name of the person you need to see.
- Make sure that you know how to get to where the interview is being held. Work out your public transport route or where you can park. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before the interview starts.
- Make sure you know who to call in case you are late for any reason.
- If you have a disability and you need adjustments to make the interview accessible. You can get advice from Scope.org.uk on how to ask for adjustments at an interview.
Before you go into the interview
- Turn off your phone.
- Do not smoke before the interview.
- Smile and greet your interviewer with confidence.
- Ask for some water if you need it.
- For entry to mid level jobs, it is acceptable to take notes in with you.
The interview
- Be polite and use the right language and tone for a formal situation.
- Listen to the questions and think before you begin your answers.
- Ask the interviewer to repeat or explain further if you do not understand a question.
- Use the STAR method to answer questions about your skills and experience.
- Be positive about your experiences. If you’ve faced difficult situations, show what you learned from them. Do not be negative about your past employers.
- Be honest.
- Ask two or three questions when you are given the opportunity. Choose questions that make you sound enthusiastic. For example, “What opportunities are there for training with the company?”
After the interview
When you leave the interview, try to reflect on some of the more difficult questions you were asked, this can help you to prepare for future interviews.
Accepting a job
If you are offered the job, let the company know in good time whether you want to accept the offer. You can also agree when you will start.
Turning down a job
If you decide not to accept the job, turn it down but be polite. You may want to work for them in the future.
If you’re not successful
If the employer does not offer you the job:
- Try to be positive – this is a chance to learn from your experience.
- Ask for feedback on your interview.
- Think about the things that did not go so well and what you could do to improve next time.
- Get some interview practice. Ask friends and family to help.