Whether you are applying for a part-time job, an apprenticeship, a scholarship or a university place, you may be invited to an interview. Interviews can feel nerve-racking, but preparation makes a huge difference. In this lesson you will learn how to prepare for interviews, answer questions with the STAR method and communicate professionally before and after.

Before the interview

Research

Learn about the organisation: what it does, its values and recent news. Reread the job or programme description and think about why you are a good fit.

Prepare for common questions

Practise out loud

Practise answers with a friend, family member or teacher, or record yourself. Aim to sound natural, not memorised.

Logistics

Plan your route or test your technology for online interviews: camera, microphone and a quiet, tidy background. Prepare appropriate clothes, which usually means neat and slightly more formal than the organisation’s everyday dress. Arrive or log in 5 to 10 minutes early.

Answering with the STAR method

For questions that begin “Tell me about a time when…”, use STAR:

• Situation: set the scene briefly.
• Task: explain what you needed to do.
• Action: describe what you did, step by step.
• Result: share the outcome and, ideally, what you learned.

Example

Question: Tell me about a time you solved a problem.

• Situation: “At my weekend job at a garden centre, customers often waited a long time at the till on busy Saturdays.”
• Task: “My manager asked me to help reduce waiting times.”
• Action: “I noticed many customers had only one or two items, so I suggested a quick-pay till for small purchases and offered to run it.”
• Result: “Queues shortened noticeably on busy days, and my manager kept the quick-pay till. I learned how small changes can make a big difference.”

Keep STAR answers to about one to two minutes.

During the interview

• Greet interviewers politely, with a smile and, if appropriate, a handshake.
• Listen carefully to each question; it is fine to pause briefly to think.
• Be specific: use examples rather than general claims.
• Be honest: if you do not know something, say so and explain how you would find out.
• Body language: sit up straight, keep reasonable eye contact and avoid fidgeting.
• Ask questions at the end, such as “What does a typical day look like?” or “What do successful people in this role have in common?”

Managing nerves

Nerves are normal and show you care. Breathe slowly before you go in, remind yourself of your preparation, and remember that interviewers want you to do well.

Professional communication

Emails

A professional email has a clear subject line, a polite greeting, a concise message and a proper sign-off.

Subject: Interview availability, Junior Lab Assistant application

Dear Ms Rahman,

Thank you for inviting me to interview for the Junior Lab Assistant position. I am available on Tuesday or Thursday afternoon next week. Please let me know which time suits you best.

Kind regards,

Daniel Okafor

Thank-you notes

After an interview, send a short thank-you email within a day, mentioning something specific you discussed. It is courteous and helps you stand out.

Your online presence

Some employers and admissions teams look at applicants online. Review your public social media and consider creating a simple professional profile on a networking site, if appropriate for your age and the site’s rules, highlighting your skills and projects.

Online interview tips

• Test your camera, microphone and internet connection the day before.
• Position the camera at eye level and sit facing a light source.
• Close other apps and silence notifications.
• Look at the camera when speaking, so it feels like eye contact.
• Have a glass of water and a copy of your résumé nearby.

Key takeaways

• Research the organisation and practise answers to common questions aloud.
• Use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for experience-based questions.
• Be specific, honest and prepared with your own questions.
• Communicate professionally by email, send a thank-you note and check your online presence.

Practice

Write STAR answers to two questions: “Tell me about a time you worked in a team” and “Describe a challenge you overcame”. Then write a short thank-you email to an imaginary interviewer.

Answer: answers will vary. Strong STAR answers clearly label each part, focus on your own actions and include a result. A strong thank-you email has a clear subject line, thanks the interviewer, mentions a specific topic discussed and has a polite sign-off.