How to Prepare for a Job Interview: A Practical Guide

Start with the job advert. Read it line by line and highlight the main responsibilities and the skills mentioned more than once. These are the areas the interviewer is most likely to probe, so prepare at least one example for each.

Next, look at the company itself: its website, recent news, products or services, and how it describes its values. If you can, find out who your interviewers are and what they do. You are not trying to recite facts back to them; you are trying to understand what problems the team is solving so you can show how you would help.

• What does the company sell or provide, and to whom?
• What has changed recently: new products, markets or leadership?
• Which three skills does the advert stress most?
• How does this role connect to the wider team?

Many interviews open with a version of 'Tell me about yourself'. Prepare a short answer of around one to two minutes that covers where you are now, what you have done that is relevant and why this role is the logical next step. Keep it focused on work and learning rather than your full life history.

Re-read your CV before the interview, because interviewers often ask about specific lines on it. If your CV is out of date or does not reflect the role you are applying for, update it first with the CV builder so that what you say and what they read match.

Behavioural questions such as 'Tell me about a time you handled a difficult customer' are common in many countries. The STAR method helps you answer them clearly without rambling.

Prepare five or six STAR stories in advance that cover different strengths: teamwork, solving a problem, handling pressure, learning something quickly and dealing with a mistake. One good story can often be adapted to several questions.

• Situation: set the scene briefly, in one or two sentences.
• Task: explain what you were responsible for.
• Action: describe what you did, using 'I' rather than 'we'.
• Result: share the outcome and, where possible, what you learned.

Answers that sound good in your head can come out confused when spoken. Practise with a friend, record yourself on your phone or simply speak your answers aloud while walking. Listen for filler words, long pauses and stories that take too long to reach the point.

For roles that involve specific skills, such as Excel, writing or customer service, expect practical questions or even a short task. Taking a free skills test on Talaskill is a useful way to spot gaps before the interviewer does, and the day in the job simulation lets you rehearse realistic work situations.

Near the end, most interviewers will ask whether you have any questions. Saying 'No, I think you covered everything' can make you seem less interested. Prepare three or four thoughtful questions and choose the ones that were not already answered during the conversation.

• What would success look like in the first three months?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the team right now?
• How do you support training and development?
• What are the next steps in the hiring process?

Plan your journey or test your video call setup the day before. For online interviews, check your camera, microphone, lighting and internet connection, and choose a quiet place. Dress one level smarter than the everyday dress code of the company if you are unsure.

After the interview, a short thank-you email within a day is a polite touch in many markets, especially in the US and UK. Mention one point from the conversation and restate your interest briefly.