Prepare for Interviews

Start with what the role needs

Read the vacancy, the employer's website and the resume you submitted. Pick the main tasks you would need to perform. For each, choose a genuine example that shows relevant work or a skill you can demonstrate. A project, internship, volunteer responsibility or paid job can provide evidence; name the setting accurately.

Choose examples you can explain

Prepare examples that cover an achievement, a problem, collaboration and a setback. One experience may cover several themes. Note the situation, your responsibility, your actions and the result or limitation. Keep shared outcomes separate from what you personally did.

Give enough context to make the decisions understandable, then spend your time on the work. Explain why you chose an approach, what changed and what you would do differently. Do not add a metric you cannot support.

Use STAR to structure a work example.

Practise aloud and test the follow up

Use short prompts rather than memorising sentences. Record an answer or explain it to a peer. Ask: was the question answered, was your contribution clear, and which claim needed evidence? Revise one weak point and try again.

Ask a second question, such as “Why did you choose that approach?”, “What went wrong?” or “What would you change?” If the answer becomes unclear, return to the work as well as the wording. A practice partner can notice vague details. Check automated feedback against the actual role.

Practise common interview questions.

For worked prompts, human and AI assisted practice, and a feedback loop, use Interview Practice: Examples and Feedback.

Match practice to the interview format

A recruiter may ask about interest, eligibility and availability. A manager may examine your choices and responsibilities. A technical or work sample exercise may require you to demonstrate a method and explain assumptions. Employers can combine or rearrange these stages; ask what your next conversation will involve.

Try a role specific rehearsal

Data analyst example: a chart shows registrations increasing. Before describing attendance growth, check the definitions, time period, duplicate entries and missing data. Explain what the chart supports and what remains unknown. Explore data analyst work.

PR executive example: a draft social post contains a number nobody can verify. Explain how you would check it, revise or remove the claim, and handle a correction. Explore PR executive work.

These are illustrative practice prompts, not questions attributed to a particular employer. Ask a partner to challenge your reasoning rather than judge whether you used a preferred phrase.

Prepare questions that help you assess the role

Ask about the work you would own, the team's current problem and how success would be judged. Use information from the conversation to ask a useful follow up. Confirm any unclear selection steps with the recruiter.

Choose questions to ask your interviewer.

Check the arrangements before the day

• Confirm the date, time zone, location or meeting link, format and expected length.
• For a video interview, test the platform, camera, microphone and connection. Check screen sharing if a presentation or work sample is expected.
• For an in person meeting, plan the route and arrival time. Keep a contact available if travel or technology fails.
• Have the submitted resume, job description, brief prompts, questions and any requested documents or work samples accessible. Avoid reading an answer from your notes.

Use the final hour to settle

Review your strongest examples and questions instead of adding a new set of memorised answers. Join or arrive with time to spare and silence distractions. If a question is unclear, ask for clarification before choosing your example.

Finish each practice with three notes: one thing clear, one thing unsupported and one next action. If time is short, prioritise the requirements and format of the interview you actually have.

Interview preparation questions

How should I prepare if I have no work experience?

Use genuine examples from projects, internships, volunteering or study. Explain the setting, your contribution and what you learned. Do not present practice work as employment.

Should I memorise interview answers?

Prepare the facts and a short structure. Practise adapting your explanation to the question and its follow ups instead of reciting a fixed script.

What should I have ready on interview day?

Keep the invitation, submitted resume, job description, questions and requested work samples accessible. Check the travel or technology arrangements and know whom to contact if something fails.