Prepare themes, not memorised speeches
Interviewers may ask similar questions in different words. Prepare a few examples that show how you solve problems, communicate, learn, prioritise, handle mistakes, and work with others. Practise the outline rather than memorising every sentence so your answers can sound natural.
Six common questions
1. “Tell me about yourself.”
Give a brief present-past-future overview: what you focus on now, a relevant experience or strength, and why the opportunity is a logical next step. Avoid reciting your entire resume.
2. “Why do you want this role?”
Connect something specific about the responsibilities or organisation to your interests and evidence. Explain what you can contribute rather than relying only on generic praise.
3. “What is one of your strengths?”
Choose a strength relevant to the role and support it with a concise example. A claim such as “I am dependable” is stronger when accompanied by a real situation that illustrates it.
4. “Tell me about a challenge you faced.”
Use a genuine example. Explain the situation and task briefly, describe the action you personally took, then state the outcome or what you learned. Do not invent a dramatic success story.
5. “Tell me about a mistake or something you would do differently.”
Choose an appropriate, real example. Take responsibility for your part, explain how you responded, and describe what you changed afterward. Avoid disclosing unnecessary sensitive information or blaming others.
6. “What questions do you have for us?”
Prepare two or three thoughtful questions about success in the role, the team's priorities, training, or the next steps in the process. Avoid asking something already clearly answered in the job advertisement or public materials.
Use STAR when it helps
The STAR framework can help structure a behavioural example:
- Situation: give the context in one or two sentences.
- Task: explain what needed to be accomplished.
- Action: focus on the steps you personally took.
- Result: describe the outcome or lesson honestly, including what you would improve.
Do not force every answer into STAR. A question about motivation or career direction may need a direct explanation instead.
A 30-minute practice session
- Spend five minutes reviewing the job description and identifying three capabilities it emphasises.
- Spend ten minutes outlining two or three truthful examples that demonstrate those capabilities.
- Spend ten minutes answering questions aloud. Keep each answer focused and note where the story becomes unclear.
- Spend five minutes refining the opening and preparing questions for the interviewer.
Practise with feedback
Ask a trusted person to conduct a mock interview or use the free interview practice prompt builder with an AI assistant of your choice. Review feedback critically: it can help with structure and clarity, but it cannot know facts you have not supplied or guarantee what an employer wants to hear.
Final reminders
- Re-read the job posting and your own application beforehand.
- Keep examples accurate and protect confidential details from past employers or clients.
- Speak clearly, pause when needed, and ask for clarification if a question is unclear.
- Prepare a few questions and confirm the time, format, and location or meeting link.