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How to Improve Your Interview

Top tips so you interview with confidence.

You have a short timeframe to meet and impress a potential employer. Consequently, the amount of time you spend preparing for the interview will have a significant impact on the end result.

  • Research - understand the business
  • Prepare potential responses.
  • Prepare key questions.

Research

Impress the interviewer with your knowledge and aptitude. Talk to friends and family, use the internet, visit your local public library to examine publications including annual reports, the Business Who's Who of Australia, Kompass Australia and Jobsons Year Book of Public Companies to learn about the company you want to work for.

Potential responses

Be prepared. There are typical questions which arise in most interviews. Prior to the interview, spend time thinking about the subject areas potential employers might like to discuss.

Recall situations and projects that you can mention in your answers to demonstrate your experience and knowledge. Be prepared to answer questions like:

  • Tell me about yourself. (i.e. I want to hear you talk, understand your communication skills)
  • What have been your achievements to date? (i.e. are you a high achiever? will this role satisfy your needs?)
  • Why did you choose this particular role? Are you happy with your career to date? (i.e. are you self-confident? what are your career aspirations? you are a positive person?)
  • Tell me the most difficult situation you have had to face and how you tackled it? (i.e. what is your definition of "difficult"? do you show a logical approach to problem solving?)
  • What do you dislike about your current role? (i.e. does the job have responsibilities you will dislike?)
  • What are your strengths? (i.e. what you are good at and how it is going to add value)
  • What are your greatest weaknesses? (i.e. what is your self-perception and self-awareness)
  • Why do you want to leave your current employer? (i.e. understand and evaluate your motives for moving)
  • What does "teamwork" mean to you? (i.e. are you a "leader" or a "doer"?)
  • What do you want to be doing in your career five years from now? Why? (i.e. are you ambitious, do you plan a long term career with the company?)

Key questions

Plan ahead. What do you want to know?

An interview is your opportunity to determine if the company offers the career development and cultural "fit" you are seeking. You could ask probing questions like:

  • Why has this position become available?
  • What will my responsibilities be?
  • What is the culture of the company?
  • Do you offer an induction and further training programs?
  • What sorts of people have done well here?
  • Where is the company going? Expansion plans?
  • How will you assess my performance?
  • What prospects are there for personal and professional development?
  • Who will I report to and are there people reporting to me?
  • How soon will you decide on the appointment

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