Prepare for Interview

Research so you feel informed and confident:

• Read the job description carefully
• Make a note of key skills, responsibilities or values
• Visit the company’s website or social media to get a feel for their culture

Also:

• Be familiar with what you wrote in your CV or application
• Think about examples of what you’ve done, including work, study, caring or volunteering

Many interviews include questions like:

• Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
• Why do you want this job?
• Tell me about a time…

We’ll help you practise your answers using the STAR technique, a simple way to structure your answers by explaining the Situation, Task, Action and Result.

Need help building the kind of experience employers ask about? Visit our Get Experience page to explore volunteering, paid placements, and ways to gain real-world examples to talk about in interviews.

• What to wear: You don’t need a suit, just something smart, comfortable and tidy. We can help you plan, or link you to organisations that offer free interview clothing.
• Plan ahead: Know where to go and how long it will take. If it's online, test your camera, sound and internet connection in advance.
• Nerves are normal: Take deep breaths, remind yourself of your strengths, and try to treat the interview as a conversation, not a test.

• Think about what went well and what you'd do differently next time
• A short thank you email can leave a good impression
• If you didn’t get the job, don’t be discouraged — every interview is a learning opportunity
• And remember, we’re here to keep helping

If the interview didn’t go your way, don’t worry, we can help you build your confidence and skills for next time.

You might want to explore Learn New Skills for short courses that could boost your chances in future applications.