This document provides guidance on preparing for and succeeding in job interviews. It discusses the importance of researching the company and role, being prepared to answer common question types like motivational and competency-based questions, and making a strong first impression through body language, eye contact and a firm handshake. The STAR model is recommended for structuring answers to competency questions. Interviewers assess a candidate's fit based on whether they can, will and fit the job. Being confident, speaking clearly and providing concrete examples from past experiences are keys to interview success.

1. Careers & Employability Centre
Interview Success

2. What we want to achieve
By the end of the workshop you will be able to:
• Describe how best to prepare for an interview
• Understand the different types of interviews and questions
• Feel more confident about interviews

3. Why interview candidates?
Interviews are designed to find out :
•Can you do the job – experience and skills
•Will you do the job – motivation
•Do you fit in – culture and team

4. Types of interview
Ask what sort of interview to expect!
First interview Second interview
Telephone interview 1 to 1 or panel interview
CV or Application Form based Competency based
Case study Academic or technical
Selection tests Assessment centre

5. Before the interview
Be prepared!
• Find out about the organisation and the interviewer
• Rehearse your answers to typical questions with examples
• Know your CV inside out

6. Preparation
Practical preparation – how to get there, what to wear
Research preparation – research the job, the organisation, think of
examples to illustrate your suitability
Psychological preparation – positive mindset, dealing with nerves

7. Research the company
• Who are their main competitors?
• Who are their customers/clients?
• Who are the key players in the industry?
• What are the hot topics at the moment?
Website
Speak to people who work there – careers fairs, events, alumni
LinkedIn
Twitter feed
Google alert

8. Types of questions
• Motivational questions
• Competency based questions
• Strength based questions
• Technical questions
• General questions

9. Motivational questions
Examples:
•Why are you interested in this role?
•What interests you about this company?
•What interests you about this career?

10. Competency based questions
•Use ‘past behaviour indicates future success’
•Objective way of comparing you to others
•Relate to skills and behaviour needed for the role
•Interviewers decide beforehand which type of answers score
positive points
•They look for structure
•Use real scenarios

11. Competency questions
• Identify competencies for the job you are seeking
•Company website
•Advert
•Job descriptions
• Compare these against your background
• Find your best example and prepare this in advance
• Keep the answer concise

12. Competency questions
Examples:
•How would you deal with a team member who is
underperforming?
•Describe a time when you had to find a solution to a problem

13. Technical questions
Designed to test your technical knowledge - engineering, IT…
May be asked to solve a particular technical problem eg:
• How much reuse do you get out of the code that you develop,
and how?
• Which do you prefer; service oriented or batch oriented
solutions?

14. Strength based questions
Competencies can be defined as “what you CAN do”, while
strengths are “what you really ENJOY doing”
What are you good at?
What comes easily to you?
What do you learn quickly?
What did you find easiest to learn at school or university?
What subjects do you most enjoy studying?

15. More strength based questions
What things give you energy?
Describe a successful day you have had.
When did you achieve something you were really proud of?
Do you prefer to start tasks or to finish them?
Do you find you have enough hours in the day to complete all the
things you want to do?

16. Answer the question
• Give answers structure – don’t ramble
• Define the context
• Be prepared with specific answers
• Your chance to paint your own portrait

17. STAR model
Situation: give a context by describing the situation
Task: what was your goal?
Action: tell the interviewer your specific actions
Result: shows yourself in a good light, even if the
overall project was not a success

18. Initial impressions are critical
You make an impression as soon as you meet someone:

19. The impact you make
•50% Body language
•40% Voice
•10% Words

20. Initial impressions
• Walk tall and straight
• Be grounded before you speak
• Make eye contact and smile
• Shake hands
• Say who you are clearly
• Remember to breathe

21. During the interview
What you say:
Use examples
Be informative – 5 points you want to tell them
Boast modestly
Take time over difficult questions - ask for clarification if necessary
How you say it:
Think about the words you use
Talk about I rather than we

22. During the interview
Sit reasonably upright
Keep hands on show
Maintain good eye contact
Keep an open posture
Minimise things you do when nervous
Speak clearly
Remember to breathe

23. Further help
Short interview with a careers adviser
10 – 5 Mon – Fri
Book through Careerhub
Events
Website www.sussex.ac.uk/careers
www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/jobs/applyingforjobs/interviews

24. Examples of questions..
1. What has been your greatest achievement?
2. Describe a situation where you have dealt with confrontation
(for example a difficult customer).
3. What do you look for in a job?
4. Why did you choose your university and degree subject?
5. Tell me about yourself.
6. Describe a situation in which you led a team?
7. Is a jaffa cake a cake or a biscuit?

25. Your questions………
What would an average day be like?
How would my work be monitored and how often would I be
appraised?
What career paths have other graduates followed in this
company?
Will I have any opportunity to use my foreign language skills?
Will I be working in a team? What is the make-up of these teams?
What are the company’s development plans and targets over the
next five years?
When am I likely to hear back from you?
Do you support study for external qualifications?