Interviewing? Here’s how to prepare

We want you to feel confident and prepared going into your interview. This document outlines what to research and how to prepare to give yourself the best chance of success.

1. Research the Company

Go beyond just the company website. The interviewer will expect you to understand:

• What the company does, who their customers are, and what makes them different
• Recent news or updates; check their LinkedIn, press releases, blogs, or industry news
• Company values and culture; are often found on their careers page or social media
• Competitors, who else operates in their space, and what challenges or opportunities this brings

Tip: Be ready to explain why you want to work for this company and what interests you about them specifically.

2. Know Your CV Inside-Out

You’ll be asked about your past experience, so make sure you can talk confidently about:

• Your career timeline. including dates, job titles, and responsibilities
• Reasons for leaving each role – keep it constructive and honest
• Your key achievements, use examples that show the value you added

Tip: Prepare to give specific examples of your contributions, what you’re most proud of, and how you’ve made a difference in your roles.

3. Prepare for Core Interview Questions

Expect to answer a mix of:

• Motivational questions – e.g. “Why do you want this job?”, “What attracts you to this industry?”
• Company-focused questions – e.g. “What do you know about us?”, “Why do you want to work here?”
• Experience-based questions – e.g. “Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge”

Tip: Keep your answers clear and structured. Use examples where you can. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a great way to organise your responses.

4. Be Ready for Different Interview Styles

You may be asked:

• Competency questions – “Tell me about a time you faced a setback and how you handled it”
• Scenario or ‘what would you do if…’ questions
• Values-based or strength questions – assessing how you naturally behave or what energises you

Be ready to talk about situations where you’ve shown:

• Adaptability and resilience
• Achievement orientation
• Accountability and ownership
• Leadership qualities or potential
• Relationship building and communication skills
• Contribution (to a team, solving a problem or to a target)

5. Logistics

If it’s a video interview, test your tech! Check your camera, sound, and connection

If the interview is on-site, consider doing a trial journey in advance so you know where you’re going and how long it takes

Dress appropriately for the company and role

If you might be late or have any problems call us on 01392 873813 so we can help or call ahead on your behalf.

6. Questions You Could Ask the Interviewer

It’s important to show curiosity and interest in the role and company. Here are some examples of good questions to ask:

• What does success look like in this role in the first 6–12 months?
• What are the biggest opportunities or challenges the team is currently facing?
• Can you describe the team I’d be working with?
• How is performance typically measured here?
• What are the next steps in the interview process?

Tip: It’s best to avoid asking about salary and benefits at this stage unless prompted.