Prepare for interviews

Preparing for an interview started when you read the job description and completed the application. Now that you have an interview you will probably want to invest more time to deepen your understanding about the role, responsibilities and the organisation/ company. Being prepared can really help reduce some of the anxiety or worry you may be feeling as your interview approaches. 

Here are just some of the ways you could prepare for your interview.

• • Research: This is the most important aspect of preparation. Researching both your role and the company will help you be prepared for both being questioned and asking questions. It will indicate to the interviewer/s that you are committed, motivated and thorough because your knowledge about the role and company is at a deeper level. In order to understand the role, you could research online but also you may have someone in your network or community that could provide more details. Researching the company can also be carried out online or you may know someone who works for the company who could share some insights. You could look at their reports, publications, news coverage, social media presence, marketing campaigns etc to almost absorb information that it both literal and implied.   

• Questions to answer and ask: As you carry out your research, you will likely be in a better position to know the questions to answer and ask. Information on the job description and criteria will indicate the skills, knowledge and experience you are likely to be questioned about. It might be helpful to think of some example responses to the most common questions as well as questions that you may find difficult to answer so that you go into the interview feeling more confident. When thinking about your answers you could also have examples to hand to evidence that particular skill, for example, if you are asked to share how you handled a difficult situation, think of a few examples in the workplace that exemplifies your ability to stay calm, be proactive and problem solve etc. 

• Practice: Practice comes in many forms such as role playing with a supportive person interviewing you, in front of a mirror or audience, under pressure being timed, or recording yourself and playing it back. Explore which practice method suits you and then run through any or all of the aspects you can practice in advance, such as driving to the location, answering the questions you think might be asked, talking about yourself to others, breathing exercises and various ways to calm and centre yourself, explore the equipment you might be required to take or use etc. Practicing any or all of these aspects can really help boost your confidence when being interviewed.  

• Support: Whilst preparing for the interview it is important to consider what support you might need before, during and after the interview. Making time to positively focus on staying calm and being kind to yourself is important throughout the process. Some examples of how you could support yourself, breathing exercises, getting some fresh air, talking to friends and families about worries, hopes and their experiences, carrying out a hobby to take a break from preparing, listen to music etc.  

• Transport: If you are going to an in person interview you could look at the route you would take or even practice it to ensure you are familiar with the route and timed it correctly. If using public transport it might be best to get an earlier bus, train etc just in case there are any unforeseen delays. Ensure you have money to pay for tickets, petrol, parking etc. 

Positive health and wellbeing: Eating healthily, [link to healthy diet page] ensuring you get sufficient minerals and vitamins and maintaining a good sleeping habit [link to sleep page] are essential to your preparation. Going to bed late and not having a healthy diet could affect your interview performance by making you feel sluggish, affecting your recall and memory, can increase your anxiety and lower your mood.   

Most people would consider virtual or telephone interviews less intimidating than in person because you have less to consider such as how to get there, unfamiliar setting etc. However, there are unique difficulties you may encounter or need to plan ahead for. Consider the following, have you got the right equipment? eg phone, computer, headphones, camera, good internet, power cables etc. Will you be in a room free of distractions? eg children, pets, deliveries, traffic etc. Do you have an appropriate background eg devoid of personal items. Are you comfortable eg will you be too hot, distracted or uncomfortable for too long etc.

If it doesn’t indicate a dress code on the communications you have received from the employer, it would be safer to dress on the smart side to form a good impression. Make sure you feel comfortable in your clothing, so nothing too tight fitting and fabric that is breathable should you become overheated. Clean and ironed clothing would indicate to your prospective employers that you are respectful of the process and have taken time to prepare. Layers might be a good idea, so that you can put on a jumper if cold or take off a jumper if cold.

Some people find preparing extremely helpful, it focuses the mind and can provide a sense of assuredness and confidence, whilst others can find preparing intensifies their anxiety and adds to the pressure and stress. You are the best judge of what works for you but for most people being unprepared is unhelpful and could increase feelings of worry or anxiety.  

If you are attending an in-person interview you may have been asked to take some all or all of the following documents:

• • Passport: to verify your identity
  • Residency or visa: to evidence you can work in the country

• Qualification certificates: to verify higher education or professional qualifications in case needed. 

You may also wish to take the following:  

• CV or resume: Some interviewers may take a copy into the interview but having some spare copies shows that you are prepared and think ahead.

• References: You may have a collection of references you could show them or draw upon to exemplify your experience and expertise from previous employers. 

• Portfolio: Depending on the job you are applying for you may wish to take samples of your work such as designs, articles, photographs, publications etc. 

• Pen and paper: Some people find it useful to jot down notes during an interview, either to aid their memory or stay on point when asked a question. Additionally, you could have made a note of the questions you would like to ask at the end. 

You have the right to ask for changes and adjustments to interviews and work tests. If you have a disability you have a right to ask for reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010. Many employers ask whether you have any reasonable adjustments as part of the application process but you are not required to disclose your condition. In order to ask for reasonable adjustments you will need to inform them that you are disabled. Examples of reasonable adjustments include, allowing you more time to complete a test, being sent interview questions in advance etc. You may also be eligible for money to support your communication needs, find out more about Access to Work here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-communication-support-at-a-job-interview-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-access-to-work  

More information about disclosing a disability and requesting reasonable adjustments can be found on this website: 

https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/ask-for-adjustments-at-interview/ 

Most interviews last approximately 40 minutes but dependent on the role being applied for and whether there are you’re required to complete other tests, the interview could last an hour or more. Usually, the time is indicated in the communication you received inviting you to an interview, if not you could always request an approximate time up front. If interviews involve work tests such as presentation, psychometric test, skills and task tests etc you would have normally been informed beforehand. These tests can also vary in length but they will extend the time you attend by half an hour minimum.

This can vary depending on your employer and role applied for but usually there are between 1 to 3 people on an interview panel. However, some positions and sectors are more likely to have a larger interview panel and potentially other candidates alongside you. Usually, you would have been informed in advance if your interview is a group interview. If you are applying for a job in an highly competitive environment, you are more likely to attend a group interview.

There are a vast array of interview questions, again dependent on the role your applying for and the style of interview being conducted. However, it is worth thinking about what you might be asked, so you have prepared some answers and examples. 

Normally you will be asked open questions that encourage a longer answer than ‘yes’ or ‘no’ closed questions. Below are the types of questions you may encounter and the type of responses they elicit. 

• Open: Most interview questions will be in this style as they encourage exploration and more detailed answers. These questions tend to start with how, what, why and are great for providing examples.  

• Closed: These are the least likely questions to be asked at an interview aside from at the end when it might be used to confirm details. These questions tend to start with do you, what etc and you could open these up to explain your yes or no answers if appropriate. 

• Leading: This type of question might be loaded, so it is important to take your time with responding just in case the wrong answer is somewhat implied. Usually, they are phrased so that you are in agreement with them. For example, “don’t you think the art of communication is saying what people want to hear?”. 

• Hypothetical: 

• Divergent:

• Probing: These types of questions might be used to explore an answer further or to get you back on track if you are going off topic. For example, “If what you said is true, that people are no longer shopping on the high street, what does that mean for the future of retail?”.

For a closer look at types of questions and responses visit this website: 

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/types-of-questions 

There are numerous questions you might be asked at an interview but it is helpful to have prepared or thought about answers to some of the most common questions. Below are some of those most asked which revolve around competency and behaviour.

• How would you describe yourself? / Tell me about yourself?
• Why do you want this job? 
• Why do you want to work here?
• What can you bring to this role?
• What are your greatest strengths?
• What are your greatest weaknesses?
• Tell me about how you handle stress/ pressure/ a challenge?
• What are your career goals?
• Why are you leaving your current job?

For more information about interview questions and how to respond to them the following websites might be helpful: 

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/interview-tips/interview-questions 

https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/types-of-interview-questions 

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/top-10-interview-questions 

It is probably best to anticipate that one or more question will leave you wondering what to say. It could be that you dry up, your become nervous, leading you to freeze or draw blank for a response. If you encounter this situation there are various ways to help you get back on track. 

• Repeat the question: Whether you didn’t hear or understand the question, it is absolutely fine to ask the interviewer to repeat it. Some questions can be elaborate, complex or more than one question within. By asking to repeat the question it not only buys you some time but ensures you think of an appropriate response. 

• Buy some time: It is okay to need time to consider your question and by doing so you may be able to think of a better response or example. You could indicate that you are thinking by repeating the question, making a noise or gesture to indicate you are thinking or you could just say, “I am just going to take a moment to think about that” or “let me think of the best example”. It would be better to take time than rush ahead with a response or example that isn’t as strong as it could be. 

• Ask a different way: If the question remains unclear after doing either of the above, then it would be okay to be honest and ask the interviewer/s to ask the question differently to gain more clarity. You could say, “would it be possible to rephrase the question” or “have I understood the question properly, that you are wanting to know…..” Once the interviewer has confirmed the question in another way this will hopefully have helped you think of a solid response. 

• Move to next question: If you have tried any or all of the above and still cannot answer the question, it is fine to ask if you could move on to the next question and return to that one at the end. If you find not being able to answer the question is making you nervous or embarrassed it would be best to move onto one that you can answer. Then your confidence will increase and you can move back to that question at any time in the interview.  

Rather than saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or stating something as though it is a fact, it’s always best to provide an example of a situation to evidence and prove your point. Workplace examples tend to be more relevant and expected. This allows your interviewer/s to appreciate your skills, motivation and understanding within a similar setting ie employment. However, if you don’t have a workplace example for any reason, you could provide one that relates to your education, hobby or personal life. For example, if you are asked how you handled a difficult situation at work, you could respond, “I can’t think of an example at work right now but when I was at University we undertook a group project and we couldn’t agree…….” etc. Try not to provide too much information about the example but enough so they can appreciate what the difficulty was. You can then spend more time elaborating on how you dealt with it as they will be more interested in your response to the difficulty. 

Employees might wish to test your skills and abilities within the interview process to help them evaluate your suitability for the role. Work tests are typically carried out before or after your interview but some companies use the work test to assess whether to invite you to an interview. Depending on the role you are applying for you could be asked to do a work test that helps them assess how competent and able you are in the following ways:  

• Knowledge: These tests assess your comprehension of specific areas relating to your role, for example, if your role involves legislation, financial management, programming etc then you are likely to be tested on your current knowledge of those key areas. 

• Skills: These are the most common tests relating to skills required for the role and could include; problem solving, writing skills, computer skills, language skills etc. 

• Personality: This will usually be in the form of a psychometric test founded on psychological principles. It could test any or all of the following aspects; motivation, interests, biases, personality type, perception, judgement, emotional intelligence etc. They are usually presented in the form of scenarios and you are required to select one of a selection of responses that you think you would take or follow.  

• • Cognitive: These tests assess your thinking and reasoning to help the employer assess your problem solving, recall and approach.  

• Physical: This type of test is only relevant for jobs where strength, fitness and endurance are a core requirement, for example a lifeguard, fireman etc.  

To find out more about the types of work tests visit this website: 

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/assessment-tests-for-jobs 

Usually, you don’t know the contents of a work test until you are asked to perform it, which makes preparing a little tricky. However, depending on the role you’ve applied for, you could make an educated guess. For example, if your role involves communication, you may be given a work test that assesses your comprehension and competence in computing. If your job involves teaching, you may be asked to put together a lesson plan which you trial in front of a class. The best way to approach a work test is to understand the role being applied for, as the work test will be related. If the role has distinct requirements, such as a Pianist then practicing any pieces of music would be helpful. 

The important thing is to take time to read the instructions, reading them twice would be helpful, if time allows, as you may pick up an important aspect you missed the first time. Being aware of the time is also important because you might be asked to stop as it is likely an extension won’t be allowed. Check the time at intervals, to see how far you have progressed such as halfway mark, 10 minutes before the end etc. If you have time to spare, go back over your answers to see if there are any mistakes such as spelling, grammar etc. Or you could go back to write more on a question that you didn’t complete. 

When you are responding to a question try and make eye contact with all the interviewers. Even though some may not have asked a question it is really encouraging and engaging to look at every interviewer. This will help to build a rapport and demonstrates you’re personable and confident. You can smile, pause, nod your head and make affirmatory hand gestures as you would normally when talking to someone as this helps to maintain their interest and positive perception of you as a person. 

Some questions naturally encourage a long answer with examples being provided and explored but others may not. Typically, you will have approximately 10 questions in an interview but depending on the timings, format and role you could have more. Basic or fact checking questions usually take under one minute to respond to, whilst behavioral or situational questions can take up to 4 minutes to respond to. You may be able to pick up subtle ques from the interviewer if your answer was to short or too long. For example, if they look surprised and down at the paper for the next question it might infer that your answer was shorter than expected and they are not ready to ask the next question. If they start to get fidgety and look at a clock or watch then it might be the answer needs to wrap up sooner rather than later. It can be very difficult to answer the question and notice what the interviewer is doing, plus you can’t time each answer as you give them. That is why practicing is so helpful, especially with someone who has experienced being interviewed or as an interviewer. 

To find out more information on the length of answers visit this website: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-long-should-interview-answers-be 

Most people have a level of discomfort being interviewed, this combined with wanting to do well, worrying about failure and all the other thoughts and feelings you experience in an interview often leads to lapses or errors. It is important to be kind to yourself and not be hard and blame yourself for any errors or blunders. Most can be recovered from and all of them can be learned from to inform the next interview. Below are some of the most common difficulties or lapses and how you can recover from them. 

• Being late: Traffic and public transport can be unpredictable so being 5-10 minutes late would be acceptable. If you were going to be any later, it might be best to contact the recruiting manager to let them know. 

• • Being unprepared: As the answers above have emphasized, preparation is really important. Not being prepared can increase your worry and anxiety which in turn could negatively impact on your performance. Whilst overpreparing may also increase your anxiety and cause you to feel undue pressure – some preparation is highly recommended so that you don’t fumble for answers and it demonstrates to interviewer/s you are motivated and put some time, thought and effort in beforehand. As a minimum, understanding the job role, responsibilities and preparing some answers to a few likely questions would be advisable.  

• Leaving your phone on: If you didn’t remember or have time to turn your mobile on silent or off, and unfortunately receive a call during an interview, it would be best not to answer the call unless you suspect it is an emergency. Whether you take or decline the call you could apologise and provide a simple explanation to the interviewer/s. We are all human and interviewers themselves may have done the same. 

• Wearing inappropriate clothing: A lot of companies adopt a smart/casual approach but as this is the first time and first impressions count, it might be best to wear something more on the smarter side. 

• Forgetting the question: There are numerous reasons why you may forget a question in an interview such as anxiety and nerves, getting distracted by racing thoughts or whether you answered the previous question sufficiently, or it could be that the question wasn’t something you had prepared for or was a complex question. There is no harm in asking them to repeat the question rather than provide a response that doesn’t quite hit the mark.  

• Getting flustered / freezing or waffling :

• Mismanaging time: It can be really difficult to keep track of time during an interview whilst listening and answering questions but your interviewer/s may provide prompts to indicate that time is limited. For example, they may make a comment such as, “as time is almost up” or they could look at their watch/clock several times. If the interview for whatever reasons has to stop because it has overrun you could offer to stay beyond the time or answer other questions in a call or online. 

• Talking negatively about current/previous workplace: However tempting this might be it tends to give the impression that you could lack discretion. 

• Not expanding or exploring the question: Whether you don’t have examples or can’t recall or elaborate because of feeling nervous you should try to expand answers. If you say very little it is exceedingly difficult for interviewer/s to score and award points to your answers. For example, if you were asked how important teamwork is in an interview and replied it is very important it gives the interviewer nothing to go on other than it is important, so expanding on why teamwork is so important, what can be achieved with it, and example of where teamwork has brought about a positive result presents the interviewer with the chance to understand you better and observe your skills, behaviour and motivations. 

• Not asking questions: You may not ask questions for various reasons such as wanting to finish the interview quickly, not feeling prepared or confident enough to ask questions etc. It is always an idea to prepare at least a couple of questions in advance that you can ask them at the end to show how motivated you are but if you don’t ask them, you could email them afterwards. 

The decision to disclose a mental health condition during a job interview is entirely personal and not required. Typically, health-related discussions occur after a job offer, during standard HR processes. At this stage, employers may conduct pre-employment health assessments, usually through occupational health specialists, to determine if any medical conditions might affect job performance and what accommodations might be needed. This post-offer phase is often a more appropriate time to discuss any health conditions that could impact your work, allowing the employer to implement necessary adjustments before you start. The interview itself is best focused on your qualifications, skills, and ability to perform the job’s core functions.

For more information visit: https://www.lawcare.org.uk/get-information/articles/disclosing-a-mental-illness-in-the-workplace/ 

Gaps in your employment history may not be queried in an interview. However, if you are asked about this it is entirely your personal choice how you respond and you aren’t required to disclose anything you do not wish to. Whether your gap was due to redundancy, health matters, family responsibilities, or other reasons, consider focusing on the constructive aspects of that time. You might highlight skills you developed through hobbies, online courses, or volunteer work during the gap. Emphasize your personal growth and the experiences that prepared you for returning to work. The key is to frame the discussion positively, showcasing how the time away has ultimately enhanced what you can offer to a new employer.

For more information visit: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/explain-gaps-in-work-history 

It is important to remember that we are all human, so if for any reason you need to be excused and leave the room then you are free to do so. You could consider sharing with the interviewer/s that you aren’t feeling well, or you are nervous etc. Saying it out loud and sharing can diffuse how you feel and may encourage a supportive empathic response. You could also take a few sips of water, a couple of deep breathes or look around the room to help diffuse how you are feeling. It is perfectly okay to take your time and take a moment if needed. If you are unable to continue the interview for any reason it is best to be honest and inform the interviewer/s and ask if there is a possibility for taking a moment outside or rescheduling. We have all been unwell or nervous in our lives and most people will be sympathetic and allow you some time in which you can gather yourself and continue with a clearer head. There is a possibility that the interviewer/s may not be able to reschedule if you have to leave.  

Workplace culture is an important aspect to consider when approaching new employers. Wanting to understand more about an employer’s commitment to the wellbeing of their staff is a really valuable question. You could ask questions such as what work-life balance initiatives they have in place, how do they support a healthy work environment, do they have an Employee Assistance Programme etc.  

Whilst the majority of questions will be asked in your direction, it is an ideal opportunity to ask questions about your employer. You will likely be asked if you have any questions at the end of your interview but even if you aren’t invited to, feel free to ask them at the end. Before going to the interview, think of some relevant questions you would like to ask which may relate to the role, the team, the company etc. Questions you could consider asking:

• Specific company or role based: There might be aspects of the role you wish to clarify or explore (eg What projects would I work on?, How is job performance assessed?), or you may wish to know more about the company (eg What is the annual turnover of the company?, What is the work environment like and are there any staff benefits, What are the company’s core values? etc).

• • Deal breakers: Is there anything that would be a deal breaker that could make the job not feasible. For example, is there an aspect of the pay you wish to clarify, are there work times that you can’t commit to, do they support home working etc. 
  • Next steps: Most interviewers will end the interview by informing you of the next steps eg you will be contacted within a week if you have been successful. If they haven’t covered what to expect following the interview or you need to clarify an aspect their answers can reduce your anxiety whilst you wait for a response. 
    • When might I hear the outcome of this interview?  
  • Training and development: Whilst you will be bringing your experience and expertise to the role it is also important to find out how much training you might be offered as part of your role, this might be in the form of internal and external training. Some companies have training programmes that can lead to other qualifications. Asking a question about this aspect demonstrates your motivation and commitment to learning which any employer would appreciate but it also represents how much employers invest in their staff and the commitment to developing and retaining them. 
    • Do you have any training programmes for employees or opportunities to develop within your role?

• Future opportunities and progression: Similar to above, asking questions about opportunities to progress within your role is beneficial in two ways, it shows your employer you have long-term goals and the response you receive can be a key factor in deciding whether to accept the position. 

• • Are there opportunities to progress in the organization/company? 

Hopefully, there would have been time and opportunity to ask questions and you would have received their answers. The interviewers are in the process of wrapping up the interview and inviting you to leave. Even if you are keen to finish the interview process, it is important to leave a positive lasting impression – so thanking the interviewers for the opportunity is a great way to wrap up an interview. A question about when you might hear the outcome is great to clarify so that you aren’t on tenterhooks. However, you can end an interview by saying an open or honest thought such as “I really enjoyed this interview”, “it was a real pleasure meeting you”, “I really am impressed by this company and would be proud to work here”.  

You might want to follow up the interview with an email to the employer thanking them for the opportunity, to clarify an aspect you are uncertain of or send them something they requested such as a work test, certificate etc. 

You might feel quite tired after an interview, as the build up might have been quite tense or taxing and then thinking on your feet of all the responses is tiring. If you can relax afterwards that would be most beneficial. You may feel elated the interview is over and want to celebrate your achievement with a treat or something that you enjoy.  

It could be helpful at some point after the interview to reflect and evaluate your performance. Try not to be hard on yourself – use it as an opportunity to work on and strengthen your answers for your next interview. Focus on your strengths, what answers did you excel at? Were there any questions or aspects you found hard? Could you build on those and enhance your response?

Waiting to hear the outcome of the interview can be really stressful. Hopefully they would have informed you of the time a decision will be reached but if not you could ask them either in the interview or afterwards.  

If you have the energy and motivation then you could continue job searching and applying just in case another candidate is selected. This is a great way of increasing your chances and honing your skills. New opportunities emerge and if you are unsuccessful on this occasion but have made other applications it will help you to focus on being proactive, as opposed to feeling a sense of failure or hopelessness.    

You will usually be informed how long a decision may take during the interview but if uncertain you can ask this after the interview. The time waiting for an outcome can vary from the same day to a month depending on numerous factors such as how many are being interviewed, whether there is a subsequent round of interviews or tests, availability of the recruiting manager and applicants etc. 

Each employer will differ on when and how they let candidates know the outcome of an interview. Candidates who are successful are normally notified first and some companies may not contact those who are unsuccessful. 

If you have been informed of when you are likely to be notified and that time has passed, you can contact them to enquire when you might be informed. 

For more information about what to do after an interview visit this website: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-do-after-interview-gogpac/