Guides
How to prepare for your next Interview
Here are some tips and techniques on how to make a lasting impression, what to look out for and what you keep in mind.
Best Practice
- Focus your responses on real life examples and ensure that they match the information provided on your CV.
- Provide specific examples of your actions and behaviours. Try not to generalise your answers. It is important to share specific and clear examples that can give your interviewer insight to your potential as a candidate.
- Study the job description before attending the interview and prepare answers based on what the position requires. For example, if the role is for a leadership position, it is likely you will be asked to provide an example of when you demonstrated leadership skills.
- When sharing your strengths also ensure they are relevant to the position you are applying for.
- Prepare a few behavioural based answers and consider how the examples you prepare may connect to one or more question, and prepare to adapt your responses on the fly.
- Be ready to tell the interviewer about yourself.
- Do some research on the company before the interview.
- Use the STAR method to answer example based questions
Using the STAR method to answer behavioural based interview questions.
STAR METHOD
S.T.A.R. is a useful acronym and an effective formula for structuring your behavioural interview response. The percentages listed represent the time to dedicate to each section of your story.
List of services
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Situation (20%)List Item 1
Explain the situation so that your interviewer understands the context of your example, they do not need to know every detail!
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Task (10%)List Item 2
Talk about the task that you took responsibility for completing or the goal of your efforts.
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Action (60%)List Item 3
Describe the actions that you personally took to complete the task or reach the end goal. Highlight skills or character traits addressed in the question.
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Result (10%)List Item 4
explain the positive outcomes or results generated by your actions or efforts. Here, it is important to highlight quantifiable results. You may also want to emphasize what you learned from the experience or your key takeaways.
During the Interview
Maintain Eye Contact: Engage with the interviewer by maintaining eye contact during conversation. Balance between attentiveness and avoiding intense staring.
Positive Body Language:
Create a positive impression through your overall body language. Sit up straight, use open and positive gestures, smile naturally, nod to show understanding, and avoid crossing your arms, as it may be perceived as defensive.
After the interview
The Follow-Up process is as important as the interview itself. Send a brief thank-you email. Express gratitude for the opportunity, restate your interest in the position, and briefly highlight key points or skills. Conclude professionally, expressing anticipation for next steps in the hiring process. This courteous gesture reinforces your candidacy and keeps you in the interviewer's consideration.
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