Quick Tips

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Interviews

Congratulations on Purpose of the Interview

This is your chance to:
being called in for an ■■ convince that you have the right skills, strengths
interview! This means and qualifications
■■ demonstrate your positive attitude, aptitude and
your application was motivation
strong. The next step ■■ present yourself well

is to prepare. ■■ answer tough questions under pressure

■■ convey self-confidence
There are different types of interviews including:
■■ one-on- one
■■ panel
■■ behavioural
■■ group
■■ screening
■■ case study

Behavioural Questioning
Employers often ask questions about how you
have behaved in past situations and use your
answers to predict how you might perform in a
new role.
An effective way to answer is to use the STAR L
technique:
■■ describe a Situation you have been in
■■ speak about the Task you were working on
■■ what Action you took
■■ the Result
■■ what you Learned from the experience
Try to:
■■ use recent examples
■■ discuss a range of experiences – e.g. work,
study and extra-curricular activities
■■ be specific Interview Don’ts

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■■ if discussing group activities, talk about your ■■ One syllable answers (e.g. ‘yes’ or ‘no’)
contribution to the group
■■ Rushing your answers
Prediction, Preparation and ■■ Fidgeting
Performance ■■ Interrupting the employer
It can help to think of an interview in three parts: ■■ Lying
1. Prediction: try to predict what the employer is ■■ Criticising a previous employer or teacher
looking for and what questions they might ask ■■ Expressing yourself as a ‘know-it-all’, with no
- revise the key selection criteria from the job self-reflection or openness to learning
description.
■■ Asking only about pay and working benefits
2. Preparation:
■■ compile a list of possible interview questions and Example Interview Questions
plan your answers
Practice responding to these questions with
■■ think of some questions you could ask examples of your skills, qualifications and
■■ bring relevant documents to the interview strengths:
■■ plan an appropriate outfit to wear ■■ Why do you want to work for us? What do you
know about this organisation?
■■ research the organization and your interviewer(s)
if possible ■■ Why should we employ you instead of someone
else?
■■ think about your employability skills (see Quick
Tip: Employability Skills) ■■ What did you learn from your field placement
experiences?
3. Performance: how will you make a good first
impression? Follow the do’s listed below and ■■ Tell us about some of your goals that are related
avoid the don’ts! to this industry?
■■ What aspects of your specialty interest you?
Interview Do’s ■■ Have you had any supervisory experience? Tell
■■ Arrive 10–15 minutes early to give yourself time us about that.
to settle down ■■ What influenced your decision to specialise in
■■ Greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm ——?
handshake ■■ How do you feel about shift work?
■■ Wait until offered a chair before sitting down ■■ What is your greatest strength/weakness?
■■ Maintain good posture ■■ How would you describe your working style?
■■ Smile ■■ Can you think of any projects or activities you
■■ Be attentive, listen and use good non-verbal initiated on your own? Tell us about them.
communication skills ■■ Tell us about a time when you had to act quickly
■■ Maintain good eye contact in a crisis. What happened?
■■ If you don’t understand a question, ask for ■■ Describe a time when you experienced conflict
clarification in the workplace and how you handled it?
■■ Use examples to emphasise important points ■■ Tell us about a time when you had to work under
pressure. What happened?
■■ Convey sincerity and conviction in your
responses ■■ Why do you think you would be an effective
member of our team?
■■ Express interest in the work and how you can
contribute ■■ How would you deal with a problem you had not
encountered before?
■■ Dress professionally and appropriately for the
role ■■ We all miss deadlines from time to time. Can
you give us an example of when you missed a
deadline? What were the causes and how did
you deal with the situation?
■■ What gives you job satisfaction?
■■ What would you do if you realised you were out
of your depth?
 Questions you could ask

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■■ Induction and training programs.
■■ The culture of the company.
■■ Reporting relationships.
■■ Changes happening in the industry or field of
work.
■■ When you might expect to hear if you have been
selected for the job.

One on one help

Make an appointment with a Career Consultant
to prepare for an interview. They can ask you
questions and give feedback and improvement
tips. Prepare for your appointment as if you are
going for your real job interview, by following the
tips in this guide.

The mock interview:

■■ If you are preparing for a specific job, upload the
job description through CareerHub when making
your appointment. The Careers Consultant
can ask you questions related to the selection
criteria.
■■ If you would like feedback about your interview
attire, you can dress as you would for the actual
interview.

Further information
Disclaimer: The information on this
Updated July 2017

fact sheet is provided as a guide only.

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