You do not need to memorise perfect answers. You need to know your own story, understand the job and stay calm enough to explain both clearly.
Know your resume
Everything on your resume can be asked about. For each job, project or skill, be ready to explain what you did, what the result was and what you learned. If your resume is out of date, fix it first with the resume maker.
Research the company
Spend 30 minutes on:
- What the company does and who its customers are.
- The role: read the advert again and match each requirement to something you have done.
- Recent news or products, from the company’s own site.
Common questions to practise
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why do you want this job?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Describe a problem you solved.
- Why are you leaving your current job?
- Where do you see yourself in a few years?
For “tell me about yourself”, use three parts: who you are now, what you have done that matters for this job, and why you want this role. Keep it under two minutes.
The STAR method
For experience questions, answer in four steps:
- Situation: the background in one or two lines.
- Task: what you had to do.
- Action: what you did, in detail.
- Result: what happened, with a number if you honestly have one.
Freshers
If you have little work experience, use college projects, internships, volunteering and clubs. Show that you learn quickly and finish what you start.
Ask your own questions
Prepare two or three, such as:
- What would a good first three months look like?
- How is the team organised?
- What are the next steps in the process?
Practical details
- Check the time, place or video link a day ahead.
- Test your camera, microphone and internet for online interviews.
- Dress neatly for the type of workplace.
- Carry copies of your resume and any documents asked for.
- Arrive 10 minutes early.
After the interview
Send a short thank-you note within a day. The letter templates tool has one you can edit.
Practise answers aloud, because saying them is different from thinking them. If you want to hear your answer back, use speech to text to see what you said.
If something sounds too good in the offer, read our guide on spotting job scams.