An interview is your opportunity to talk about your experience, show what you can bring to the role and learn more about the employer. A little preparation can make it much easier to walk in knowing what you want to say.

Go back to the job advertisement

Before your interview, read the job advertisement again.

Look at the key responsibilities, skills and experience the employer is seeking. Think about examples from your own experience that demonstrate these areas.

If you saved the original advertisement when you applied, this is where it becomes particularly useful.

Learn about the employer

Spend some time learning about the organisation before your interview.

Look at what they do, who they work with, their values and any current projects or priorities that are relevant to the position.

You don't need to memorise their entire website. The aim is to understand the organisation and be able to explain why you're interested in working there.

Prepare examples from your experience

Many interview questions ask you to describe a time when you handled a particular situation.

Before the interview, think of examples that demonstrate skills such as:

• Working as part of a team

• Solving a problem

• Communicating with different people

• Managing competing priorities

• Taking initiative

• Responding to a difficult situation

• Learning something new

Your examples can come from employment, study, volunteering, community involvement or other relevant experiences.

Structure your answers

If you're asked to give an example, a simple structure can help keep your answer focused.

Situation: What was happening?Task: What did you need to do?Action: What did you do?Result: What happened as a result?

This is often called the STAR method.

You don't need to make your answers sound rehearsed. The structure simply helps you explain what happened and, importantly, what you contributed.

Prepare for common questions

Every interview is different, but it's useful to think about how you would answer questions such as:

Tell us about yourself.Keep your answer relevant to your experience, skills and the opportunity.

Why are you interested in this role?Connect your answer to the position and organisation rather than giving a generic response.

What are your strengths?Choose strengths that are relevant and be ready to give an example.

Why should we choose you?Think about the experience, skills and perspective you could bring to the position.

On the day

Check the interview time, location and who you're meeting beforehand.

For an in-person interview, allow enough time to arrive without rushing. For an online interview, test your camera, microphone and internet connection and make sure you have the meeting link ready.

Bring or have access to your resume, the job advertisement and any information the employer has asked you to provide.

Remember, you can ask questions too

An interview isn't only about the employer deciding whether you're right for the role. It's also an opportunity for you to decide whether the role and organisation are right for you.

You might ask about the team, what a typical day looks like, training and development, workplace culture or what success in the position looks like.

Interview finished?

If you don't hear back immediately, don't assume you've been unsuccessful. Recruitment processes can take time.

Whatever the outcome, every interview gives you experience you can take into the next opportunity.