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BritainWorks

Preparing for an interview

Preparation beats nerves. An hour of it puts you ahead of most candidates.

Before the day

  • Read the job advert again and pick three things they want. Think of a real example for each.
  • Look at the employer's website: what they make or do, who their customers are, any recent news.
  • Check how you'll get there and how long it takes. Aim to arrive ten minutes early.

Questions you'll probably be asked

  • Tell me about yourself. (Keep it to a minute, and keep it about work.)
  • Why do you want this job?
  • Tell me about a time you solved a problem, worked in a team, or dealt with a difficult customer.
  • What would you do if…? (They want to see how you think, not a perfect answer.)

For example questions, use situation, what you did, and the result.

Ask them something

“What does a good first month look like?” or “What training is there?” shows you're thinking about doing the job well.

Afterwards

A short thank-you email the same day is a good idea. If you don't get the job, it's fine to ask for feedback.