Job Interview Skills
On average across Australia there are 21 applications for reach job. On average 3 will be selected for an interview1. To reach the job interview stage, you and your résumé and cover letter must have impressed the employer. Congratulations on your getting a job interview!
Types of Interviews
You may have one or more of these types of interviews during the recruitment process:
Phone Interview
Some employers may start off by giving you a brief phone interview. This may be to see how well you fit the hiring criteria for the job. Based on your phone interview, you may get a second interview.
Group Interview
You may be invited to a group interview. Several job candidates will attend the group interview at the same time. There is likely to be a group of people from the company conducting the group interview. In a group interview you will answer individual questions. You are also likely to take part in group activities. Based on your group interview, you may be invited to another interview.
Read Job Jumpstart's tips for group interviews.
Video Interview
There are two types of video interviews. One is a live, two-way video interview. The other is a one-way video interview:
Live two-way interview. This type of job interview is conducted using a platform such as Zoom. You will get a link to connect to an online interview meeting. You and the interviewer are present at the same time. The job interview will similar to a face-to-face interview, except that it will be online.
One-way digital interview. This type of job interview is where you get a personal login to an interview program. You will get interview questions in text or video form. You will record your answers to these interview questions. The interviewer will not be present at the time, but will review your digital interview later.
Read Job Jumpstart's article on types of video interviews.
Read myfuture's tips to prepare for a digital interview.
One-to-one or panel interview
ou may have a face-to-face interview with one or more interviewers. A panel interview is when there when you have an interview with more than one person.
Read Job Jumpstart's tips about panel interviews
On-the-Spot Interview
If you drop in to see an employer about a job, you may have an on-the-spot interview.
Read Job Jumpstart's tips for on-the-spot interviews.
For all job interviews you need to:
Plan
What will you wear?
- Read Job Jumpstart's tips on the importance of presentation at a job interview
- Read Youth Central's article on how to dress for a job interview
- Read Youth Central's Tip 3 of 10 job interview tips
Prepare
- Research into the business and industry
Read Youth Central's article on what to research for a job interview
Activity Read Job Jumpstart's article on how to research employers. Scroll down and download the Employer Profiling worksheet. Use this as a guide to research the business and industry.
- Plan answers to common job interview questions. Think about possible industry questions and how you could answer them.
- Prepare the questions you will ask the employer.
- Consider preparing a career portfolio. Read the myfuture's article on creating a career portfolio
- If you have a video or digital interview:
- Read the myfuture's article on tips to prepare for your digital interview
- Read the Job Jumpstart's article on tips to prepare for phone and video interviews
Practise
Use the guidelines in Youth Central’s excellent information and tips on how to practice for a job interview.
Ask a parent, Career Practitioner, or mentor to give you a mock interview. This will allow you to rehearse
- Present yourself for a job interview, including meeting and greeting the interviewer
- Responding to common job interview questions
Watch two SkillsRoad videos that compare poor job interview skills and excellent job interview skills. The comparison of good and bad job interview techniques highlight how to create a good impression, present yourself well at a job interview and answer job interview questions effectively.
Present
Arrive early.
Read thorough your job application materials before interview.
If a face-to-face interview give a greeting to the interviewers. Before the pandemic it was appropriate to shake hands with the interviewers. A more Covid safe way may be to give a verbal greeting.
Make eye contact with the interviewer or interviewers.
Avoid fidgeting.
- Be polite, courteous and confident
- Speak clearly, using correct grammar
- Show genuine interest in the position and the interviewer
- Listen to questions asked and give relevant information when answering questions. Ask for clarification if you do not understand a question
- Be truthful in your responses
- Market your achievements, skills, qualifications and attitudes relevant to the job
- Use non-verbal communication skills to create a favourable impression, e.g.
Read Youth Central's article on what to expect at a job interview.
Read the myfuture's article on job interview tips.
After the Interview
After the interviewer you may feel a little anxious. You may be wondering if you will be the successful job applicant. It is a good idea to email a brief thank you note to the interviewer within a day or two of your interview. This could possibly give you the edge in landing the job.
Read Job Jumpstart's article on following up after an interview.
Sometimes you will be waiting and wondering if you are ever going to hear back from the employer. Employers handle the post-interview process in different ways. Some employers contact successful and unsuccessful job applications. Some employers only contact the successful applicant. Some employers put a notice on social media or in the newspaper to let applicants know the job has been filled.
Read the Job Jumpstart's article about why some employers don't call you back.
If you are Successful
Congratulations if you get the job! Read myfuture articles on what to do if the employer offers you the job
1 National Skills Commission (2021). Australian Jobs Report.
