Job interview tips and common questions
Interviews reward preparation more than personality. If you know the role, have your examples ready and can explain clearly why you fit, you'll come across as confident even if you're nervous. Here's how to prepare, what you'll be asked, and how to answer.
In short
- Research the employer and the role, and match your experience to what the job ad asks for.
- Prepare five or six real examples you can adapt to many questions, using the STAR method.
- Practise out loud, and test your technology before video interviews.
- Ask thoughtful questions of your own. It's a two-way conversation.
- Follow up with a short thank-you, and ask for feedback if you're unsuccessful.
Before the interview
Research
- The employer: what they do, their customers, recent news, values and culture. Check their website, LinkedIn and reviews.
- The role: reread the job ad and highlight the key requirements. These are what the questions will be about.
- The format: ask who you’ll meet, how long it will take, and whether there’s a test or presentation.
Prepare your examples
Most interviews include behavioural questions: “Tell me about a time when…”. Prepare five or six real examples from your work, study or volunteering that show key skills: solving a problem, handling a difficult customer or colleague, working under pressure, leading or teamwork, a mistake you learned from, and an achievement you’re proud of.
Structure each with STAR:
- Situation: the context, briefly.
- Task: what you needed to do.
- Action: what you did (say “I”, not “we”).
- Result: the outcome, ideally with a number, and what you learned.
Most examples can be adapted to several questions.
Practise out loud
Practise with a friend, record yourself, or use an AI tool to quiz you. Aim for answers of about one to two minutes.
Common questions, and how to approach them
| Question | What they want to know | How to answer |
|---|---|---|
| “Tell me about yourself.” | Can you summarise your relevant background? | 60–90 seconds: current role, key experience, why this job |
| “Why do you want this job?” | Motivation and fit | Link what attracts you about the role and employer to your skills and goals |
| “What are your strengths?” | Self-awareness and relevance | Two or three strengths that match the job, each with a quick example |
| “What’s a weakness?” | Honesty and growth | A real, non-critical weakness and what you’re doing to improve |
| “Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult customer.” | Behaviour under pressure | A STAR example |
| “Why are you leaving your current job?” | Professionalism | Positive and forward-looking; don’t criticise your employer |
| “Where do you see yourself in a few years?” | Ambition and commitment | Growth that fits this role and organisation |
| “What salary are you expecting?” | Whether you’re in budget | A researched range. See Negotiating salary and pay rises |
Video and phone interviews
- Test your technology beforehand: camera, microphone, internet and the meeting app.
- Choose a quiet, well-lit spot with a plain background.
- Look at the camera when you speak, and dress as you would in person.
- Have notes and the job ad nearby, but don’t read from them.
- For recorded video interviews, practise the time limits; you may get only one take.
On the day
- Arrive 10 minutes early (or log in five minutes early).
- Bring copies of your resume, any certificates or portfolio, and your questions.
- Listen carefully to each question; it’s fine to pause before answering, or to ask for it to be repeated.
- Be specific, honest and positive.
Questions to ask them
Prepare three or four:
- “What would success look like in the first three months?”
- “What are the biggest challenges for the team right now?”
- “How would you describe the culture here?”
- “What training and development is available?”
- “What are the next steps, and when can I expect to hear?”
Inappropriate questions
Employers shouldn’t ask about protected attributes such as age, marital status, pregnancy or family plans, religion, sexuality, disability (unless it relates to the inherent requirements of the job), or ethnicity. If you’re asked, you can politely steer back to the job: “I can assure you I’m fully able to meet the requirements of this role.” The Australian Human Rights Commission has information about discrimination in employment.
After the interview
- Send a short thank-you email the same day, mentioning something specific from the conversation.
- Follow up if you haven’t heard by the date they gave.
- If unsuccessful, ask for feedback politely; it’s valuable for the next one.
- Note what went well and what you’d improve.