How to Prepare for an Interview (Candidate Edition)

You've landed an interview - great news! Now comes the important part: preparation. Whether it's online or face-to-face, preparing properly can turn a good interview into a job offer. Here’s how to make it count.

1. Know the Company

Start with the basics:

• What does the company do?

• Who are their clients or customers?

• What are their values?

  
  

Tip: Check their website, LinkedIn, and recent news. The more context you have, the better your answers (and questions) will be.

2. Understand the Role

Read the job description carefully and highlight:

• Skills or experience you have that match

• Anything unclear you’d like to ask about

• Areas where you might need to explain a gap

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This will help you speak clearly about your fit for the role.

3. Prepare Your Answers (with Examples)

Use the STAR method to structure your responses:

• Situation: Set the scene

• Task: What was your responsibility?

• Action: What did you do?

• Result: What happened?

  
  

Example question to prep for:“Can you tell me about a time you handled a difficult customer?”

4. Know Your CV Inside Out

Be ready to talk about:

• Every job listed (why you left, what you achieved)

• Gaps in your employment

• Career goals and what you’re looking for now

5. Get the Basics Right

• Dress appropriately (even for video calls)

• Be early (10 minutes is ideal)

• Check your tech: microphone, camera, Wi-Fi

  
  

And of course, smile, breathe and be yourself.

6. Ask Smart Questions

Asking questions shows you're genuinely interested. Try:

• “What does success look like in this role?”

• “What are the biggest challenges facing the team right now?”

• “What’s the company culture like?”

Final Thought: Interviews don’t have to be intimidating. With the right preparation, you’ll walk in (or log in) feeling confident, clear and ready to impress. Good luck, you’ve got this.