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Contents

Interview Prep ........................................................................................................................ 2

Research ............................................................................................................................... 3

Research the company ........................................................................................................ 3

Research the interviewers ................................................................................................... 3

The STAR Method ................................................................................................................... 4

Behavioural Interview Questions ............................................................................................. 5

The Technical Interview........................................................................................................... 6

The Panel Interview ................................................................................................................ 6

Preparing Your Questions ....................................................................................................... 7

That Salary Question .............................................................................................................. 8

Dealing with Nerves................................................................................................................ 9

What Not to Do in an Interview .............................................................................................. 10

Answering Those Quirky Questions ........................................................................................ 11

How to Close an Interview ..................................................................................................... 12

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Interview Prep

Congratulations! You’ve secured an interview.

You should feel proud; you’ve jumped the first hurdle in securing your next role.

Interviews can be daunting. Many of us will only do a handful over our career. Luckily for you, we do hundreds a year and
have put together this guide to help you feel prepared and confident for your upcoming interview.

Things to confirm before your interview:

 Date

 Time

 Location - are there any special instructions for finding the location?

 Dress code

 Is there anything you need to bring to the interview, such as a portfolio?

 Copy of the job description or ad and any job information available

 Who you’ll be meeting

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 Research

Research the company Research the interviewers

You should have already done a lot of research Be sure to find out who you will be interviewing with and
groundwork to prepare your cover letter and resume do some research on these people too. If possible,
when you applied for the role but now’s the time to go check out their profile on the organisation’s website
deeper. LinkedIn.

Thoroughly review the employer’s website to learn more Take note of their professional background as this may
about the business. You’re looking for more detail about give an indication of the kind of questions they could
the employer’s core services, core values, mission and ask in the interview. For example, an interviewer with a
goals. Keep a notepad and pen handy so you can write technical background may focus on technical questions
down things that stand out to you. whereas someone with a strong background in
management may focus more on behavioural questions.
Most organisations have a media or news section on
their website where they share important news. Many
organisations will also have a blog, which is a great
source of information and a good indicator of the
priorities of the business. Alternatively, you can search
the name of the business in the news section of Google
search. Take the time to research the
organisation.
Read through any social media accounts or mentions
associated with the employer to gather more
information about their tone and personality as well as It’s highly likely you’ll be
the type of customers or connections who follow and
engage through these mediums.
asked what you know about
the organisation.
Don’t forget to research the role you are interviewing for.
Can you find out more about what specific
responsibilities this role typically has in the employer’s
industry? Can you find out the average salary for the role
in the industry?

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The STAR Method

It can sometimes be difficult to articulate your achievements on paper or in an interview. The STAR method offers you a
way to logically communicate your achievements when you are on the spot.

This method is great for highlighting your achievements using concrete examples of your work.

Situation
Task
Action
Result

When asked a question reply using the following steps:

Situation: Give a quick outline of the circumstances you were in.

Example: The accident rate during the last set of field exercises was too high.

Task: Outline what you had to do.

Example: I was given the task of reducing the accident rate while still providing realistic training to the troops.

Action: Outline what you did.

Example: I set up a team to review the training of instructors and the documentation their lessons are based on.

Result: Describe the outcome of the action.

Example: Following our team’s recommendations, the accident rate was reduced by 50% and the unit was awarded a
commendation for efficiency in the field.

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Behavioural Interview Questions

Behavioural questions are based on the idea that past behaviour is a predictor of future behaviour.

Most interviewers engage in a degree of behavioural interviewing. This style of questioning is designed to help employers
assess how you have managed past situations that are similar to those you would likely encounter in the role. Behavioural
interview questions reveal information about your work ethic, adaptability, communication style, problem-solving skills,
response to stress, initiative and more.

Behavioural questions typically begin with:

● Give me an example of a time when you had to...

● Describe a situation in which you…

● What has been the most/ best/ worst/ most difficult...

The best way to prepare for these questions is to practise. Print off a list of behavioural questions and come up with a
range of situations that may be appropriate examples of how you’d respond.

You don’t need 50 different situational examples, but think of at least five different experiences which may relate to a
range of questions.

Pro Tip 1

Practice using the STAR method to respond to

behavioural questions.

Pro Tip 2
Think about desirable qualities for this role,
either overt or implied.
Prioritise these qualities or skills when you
practise answering behavioural questions.

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 The Technical
Interview
If the role you’re interviewing for requires
specific technical skills or experience, you are
likely to be invited to a technical interview. No
matter how experienced you are, this style of
interview will require you to brush up on your
general knowledge of your area of expertise.
Here are some of the things employers may look
for in a technical interview:
 Your general technical knowledge and
competence
 Your understanding of the basic principles
of the area of expertise
 Details of past projects you’ve worked on
(this includes university projects if you’re
new to the job market)
 Your ability to clearly communicate
technical concepts or work that you’ve
completed
 Your ability to suggest solutions for
problems or tasks set for you, which may
be outside of your experience or
knowledge
The key to success in technical interviews is to
research the company, its products, and
services thoroughly so that you have a good
idea of the direction the interview will go.
If you’re given a technical problem and asked to
brainstorm solutions, don’t stress out about
solving the problem. Instead, focus on logically
and methodically investigating the problem
(posing questions and uncovering answers)
which may lead to a solution. Remember, the
employer is just as interested in your attitude
and approach to problem-solving as they are in
your skills and general knowledge.
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The Panel
Interview
Make sure you know the names and
positions of every person on the panel. You
will most likely meet with a direct manager
or supervisor, an HR manager and a
manager from a team you may work with
indirectly. Understanding the roles
represented in the room will help you to
prepare for the kinds of questions you may
be asked.
Commit the names of the panel to memory and
maybe write them in a notebook, just in case.
You may need to use each person’s name when
you directly answer their question; but ensure
that you address the perspectives of the other
panel members by elaborating on your response
for the group.
The panel interview can involve rapid-fire
questions. At times you may even feel like your
responses are interrupted by the interviewers as
they compete for airtime on questions that
pertain to their area of interest. Don’t be afraid
to take some control of the pace if you feel
rushed. Take a moment to pause and gather
your thoughts before each answer, but be sure
to answer concisely and hit the key points
quickly.
 Preparing Your Questions

One of the biggest opportunities that many candidates miss in interviews is preparing great
questions. Even if the interviewers have given you lots of information throughout the interview, they
will always leave some time at the end for any questions you may have.

This is your chance to show off your knowledge of the business, the industry and your enthusiasm for
the role. This question time is also an opportunity for you to find out if this role and this organisation
is the right fit for you. In any interview it’s just as important for you to find out if you want to work in
this particular organisation, in this specific role. Show the interviewer that finding the right fit is just
as important to you.

Prepare at least five questions before you get to the interview. A few may be answered throughout the
interview so it’s good to have a few extra.

Consider the professional background of the person interviewing you and prepare your questions
accordingly. If you are interviewing with someone with a technical background, focus on technical
questions. If you are meeting with management or senior leadership, focus on some big picture
questions about the strategic vision, mission or goals of the organisation.

You may also want to ask questions about the office culture or the team you’ll be working with. Your
cultural fit is going to be important to them, so demonstrate you are also invested in getting this fit
right.

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 That Salary Question

The topic of salary can be a tricky one to navigate. Particularly so if you’re interviewing
for roles that are more senior than what you’ve had previously. The first rule of thumb is
to never bring it up. If they make an offer, they’ll tell you what salary package is on offer for
the role. This in an appropriate time to consider the financial compensation and prepare to negotiate if this is
possible.

If the interviewer asks you what your salary expectation is, you should be ready with a response. If you ask for too
much, you may knock yourself out of the running and if you lowball they may think you don’t have the experience
for the role or you may end up getting paid less than you are worth.

When you know what you’re worth

If you’ve done your research about the industry and you know the average salary this role attracts, go ahead and
give an estimate. For example:

I’ve done some research and I’ve seen that project managers
at this level in the industry earn between $75,000 - $85,000.
I feel comfortable with that range.

When you’re not sure

If you’re not sure what the going rate for the role is in this organisation, you may want to respond with some
diplomacy. For example:

As you know, this is a new industry for me, and honestly, I’m
just excited about this opportunity. I’d be happy to discuss
remuneration if or when you’re able to make me an offer

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Dealing with Nerves

It’s completely natural to feel nervous before your interview. You may feel anxious the entire week leading up to
the interview or it could strike you when you sit down in the waiting area. Nerves are a good thing; it means you
genuinely care about the opportunity and the outcome of this interview.

Unfortunately, a bout of nerves during your interview can sabotage your big shot. Despite all your preparation,
your nervousness may be interpreted as being under-prepared or lacking in confidence. While experienced
interviewers will be used to seeing candidates show some signs of nervousness, they also want to see you
comfortable and confident in this environment.

Here are some tips to help calm down your nerves and keep you focused on the day of your interview:

 Focus on your preparation - Crowd out any anxious thoughts that creep in by focusing your mind on the
research and prep you’ve done before interview day. You’re ready for this.

 Visualise yourself in the interview - Picture yourself in the room with the interviewer, looking calm and
confident. This little mind trick does wonders for nerves.

 Tell yourself you’ve done enough - Sure, you could have done another one or two hours of research, but
you’ve done the best that you can in the time you had. Trust that you’ve done enough and that your
skills, experience and winning qualities will be enough.

 SMILE - A warm smile can make a world of difference to the way you feel. The person interviewing you
will most likely smile back, making you feel more comfortable.

 Never say you’re feeling nervous - When the interviewer asks how you are, never say “nervous.” Even if
you seem nervous, focus on staying confident and putting your best foot forward.

 Take 5 deep breaths - It sounds simple, but deeply inhaling and exhaling slows down your heart rate
and calms your nervous system, instantly releasing tension.

 Accept the glass of water if it’s offered - This will give you time to set yourself up in your seat and will
come in handy if your mouth goes dry.

 Pause before you answer each question - This will give you a chance to gather your thoughts and help
you to avoid filling the silence with “umms” and “ahhs.” If your mind goes
blank, take a breath, a sip of water or politely ask the interviewer if they could
repeat the question. Even if you’re not sure you’re going to answer the
question correctly, give it go.

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What Not to Do in an Interview

There are many things that can go wrong in an interview but here’s a list of common mistakes:

Don’t show up late

It’s rude and implies that this opportunity is not a priority to you. Give yourself more than enough time to
get to the interview in a timely fashion, with some extra margin for delays, traffic and finding the right
building.

Don’t show up too early

It can be a little awkward if you show up 30 minutes before your interview as your interviewer will likely
have other commitments that they can’t drop as soon as you arrive. Arriving five to ten minutes before
your interview is best practice.

Don’t let your nerves overrule

Everyone gets a little nervous sometimes, but it’s not a great look if you have a serious case of the
shakes or the sweats.

Don’t get too cocky

Never assume you have it in the bag, this can be a real turn-off for employers.

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Answering Those Quirky Questions

Sometimes employers like to throw curveball questions into the interview. If you were an animal what would you
be and why? What fruit are you most like? What would the name of your debut album be?

Sometimes the question is to test how quickly you can think on your feet and sometimes it’s to see how
creatively you think. In some cases, the employer may want to see a little of your personality shine through.

The key to answering any of these quirky interview questions is the “why?”, So always start with a key quality that
you possess that would be of benefit to the role and the organisation. Try to think of a soft skill or personal trait
that may not have been mentioned in the interview so far. For example, you may want to highlight your love of
working in teams or your ability to work well under pressure.

Next think of the animal, fruit, musical instrument or whatever it is that could represent this quality. You may
say, “I’d be an ant because I love accomplishing big things as part of a team.” Or you could say, “I’d be orange
because I produce the best creative juice under pressure.”

Some Famous Examples

1. Facebook
5. Microsoft
“25 racehorses, no stopwatch. 5 tracks. Figure out the
top three fastest horses in the fewest number of “How would you test an elevator?”
races.”
6. Uber
2. Google
“How would you find the words that became obsolete
“Why are manhole covers round?” in English language between 16th and 17th century?
You may use a search engine.”
3. Apple
7. Living Social
“If you were a pizza delivery man, how would you
benefit from scissors?” “What’s your favorite song? Perform it for us now.”

4. Amazon 8. MasterCard

“How would you solve problems if you were from “Can you say ‘Peter Pepper Picked a Pickled Pepper’
Mars?” and cross-sell a washing machine at the same time?”

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How to Close an Interview

You’ve had a fantastic interview; the employer seems to love you - now what?

This is no time to get comfortable. You don’t know the competition you’re up against, so it’s important that you
have a strategy to leave a positive impression and show your enthusiasm about the role.

You may want to ask a final question before the interviewer wraps up. Some good questions are:

 Do you have any reservations about my ability to perform the role?

 When do you expect to make a decision about the position?

 Would you mind if I get in touch if I have any more questions?

Pro Tip: If you’re going after a competitive or sales driven role, you may want to close by “asking for the sale.”
This can be powerful, but be careful not to sound arrogant. Read the room and then decide if the employer is
ripe for you to “close the deal” by asking:

 How do you think I performed in today’s interview?

 Do you think I’m the right person for this role?

Once you say your goodbyes and leave the office, make a note to send a follow-up email before the end of the
day. In your email thank the interviewer/s for their time, tie up any loose ends from the interview and let them
know you look forward to hearing them.

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