Reaching the interview stage means you have already impressed on paper. Your CV has secured the opportunity — now it’s your chance to demonstrate why you are the right person for the role.
An interview is not a test. It is an opportunity for both you and the employer to decide if the role, company, and culture are the right fit. The more prepared you are, the more confident and successful you are likely to feel.
Preparation can make all the difference. Taking time to research and prepare shows motivation, organisation, and genuine interest in the opportunity.Before your interview, try to find out:
✔ What products or services does the company provide
✔ Their values, mission, and culture
✔ Company size and structure
✔ Recent news, growth, or developments
✔ Who their competitors are
✔ What the role and team involve
Review the job description carefully and think about examples of your experience that match the role requirements.
First impressions matter. Presenting yourself professionally can positively influence how you are perceived.
✔ Dress professionally and appropriately for the role
✔ Be well-groomed and presentable
✔ Keep accessories, fragrances, and make-up subtle
✔ Arrive early or log in early for virtual interviews
✔ Bring a copy of your CV and any relevant documents if requested
Avoid unnecessary stress on the day by planning ahead:
✔ Check travel routes and parking arrangements in advance
✔ Allow extra time for delays
✔ Aim to arrive 10–15 minutes early
✔ Accept the Teams invite once it arrives
✔ Still dress suitable for an interview
✔ Make sure you are in a quiet area with no outside noise and distractions
✔Make sure your laptop is working correctly, and you have a suitable network
✔ Aim to arrive on the Teams call a few minutes early
Remember — interviewers can be nervous too. Stay calm and focus on showing your experience, personality, and enthusiasm.
✔ Be polite, professional, and confident
✔ Offer a firm handshake (where appropriate)
✔ Maintain eye contact and smile naturally
✔ Listen carefully and ask for clarification if needed
✔ Speak clearly and use positive language
✔ Show genuine enthusiasm for the role and company
✔ Be honest and authentic
Prepare examples and responses to questions such as:
What do you know about our company?
Why are you interested in this role?
What are your strengths and areas for development?
Why are you looking for a new opportunity?
Tell me about a time you showed initiative.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
What can you bring to this organisation?
Asking thoughtful questions demonstrates interest and preparation.
Consider asking:
What would success look like in the first 3–6 months?
Can you tell me more about the team?
How would you describe the company culture?
What opportunities are there for progression or development?
What are the next steps in the process?
When can I expect feedback?
Is there anything from my experience you would like me to expand on?
End on a positive and professional note:
✔ Thank the interviewer for their time
✔ Reaffirm your interest in the role
✔ Leave confidently and professionally
If your interview has been arranged through us, please contact us on 01925 982262 as soon as possible to share your feedback and discuss next steps.
Many employers use competency-based interview questions to understand how you have handled situations in the workplace and how you are likely to perform in the future.
A great way to structure your answers is by using the STAR Method, helping you provide clear, concise, and evidence-based examples.
Briefly explain the situation or challenge you faced.
Describe what was expected of you or the objective you needed to achieve.
Explain the steps you personally took to resolve the issue or improve the situation.
End with the positive result, what you achieved, and what you learned.
Top Tip: Focus on what YOU did, not what the team did. Employers want to understand your personal contribution.
Example Answer:
Situation: In a previous role, we experienced a sudden increase in workload which caused delays and frustration within the team.
Task: I needed to help maintain service levels while supporting colleagues and ensuring deadlines were met.
Action: I reviewed workloads, prioritised urgent tasks, and suggested a temporary process to improve communication between departments. I also supported team members who needed additional guidance.
Result: We reduced delays significantly, improved communication, and met key deadlines during a particularly busy period.
Example Answer:
Situation: We had a key deadline brought forward unexpectedly by a client.
Task: I was responsible for ensuring all work was completed accurately within a shorter timeframe.
Action: I reorganised priorities, communicated clearly with stakeholders, and focused on key deliverables to ensure nothing was missed.
Result: The work was completed ahead of schedule, the client was satisfied, and the process improvements were later adopted by the wider team.
Example Answer:
Situation: I noticed a recurring issue causing delays in our internal processes.
Task: Although it was not part of my role, I wanted to help improve efficiency.
Action: I identified the cause of the issue, suggested a revised process, and worked with colleagues to implement improvements.
Result: Processing times improved, errors reduced, and the new approach became standard practice.
Example Answer:
Situation: Two colleagues disagreed on responsibilities, which began impacting team morale.
Task: I wanted to help resolve the issue and maintain a positive working environment.
Action: I spoke to both individuals separately, encouraged open communication, and helped them agree on clearer responsibilities.
Result: The working relationship improved, communication became more positive, and the team worked more effectively.
Example Answer:
Situation: Early in my career, I misunderstood part of a project brief, which caused a delay.
Task: I needed to rectify the issue quickly and minimise disruption.
Action: I took ownership, communicated honestly, corrected the work, and implemented a checking process to avoid repeating the mistake.
Result: The issue was resolved successfully, and I learned the importance of clarifying expectations early.
✔ Keep answers clear and structured
✔ Focus on your personal contribution
✔ Use real examples from work, education, or volunteering
✔ Keep responses relevant to the role you are applying for
✔ Aim to keep answers concise; around 1–2 minutes is ideal
Remember, competency questions are designed to understand how you approach challenges and achieve results. Preparation is key; think of examples in advance so you feel confident and interview-ready.