An interview invitation means the employer already believes you could do the job on paper. The interview is where they decide whether you can do it in practice — and whether they want to work with you.
Preparation is the biggest factor you control. This guide covers what to research, how to structure answers, and the questions you are most likely to face.
Before the interview: research checklist
- Re-read the job advert and your own CV — be ready to discuss every line.
- Study the company: products, customers, recent news, competitors and values.
- Look up your interviewers on LinkedIn to understand their roles.
- Prepare five or six stories that show your key skills (see the STAR method below).
- Plan your route or test your video setup, and prepare your outfit the night before.
Use the STAR method for competency questions
| Step | What to say |
|---|---|
| Situation | Brief context: where you were and what was happening. |
| Task | Your responsibility or the challenge you faced. |
| Action | What you personally did — the longest part of the answer. |
| Result | The outcome, ideally with numbers, and what you learned. |
Situation: A long-standing client was threatening to cancel after three late deliveries.
Task: As account coordinator, I had to keep the account and fix the root cause.
Action: I called the client the same day, apologised, and agreed a weekly delivery update. I then worked with our warehouse lead to move their orders to an earlier dispatch slot.
Result: Deliveries were on time for the next six months, and the client renewed with a 15% larger order.
Common interview questions and how to approach them
"Tell me about yourself."
Give a 60–90 second career summary: your current role, two key achievements, and why you are interested in this job. Do not recite your life story.
"Why do you want this job?"
Connect something specific about the company to your skills and goals. Generic answers ("it is a great company") fall flat.
"What is your greatest weakness?"
Choose a real but non-critical weakness and explain what you are doing to improve it — for example, delegating, public speaking or saying no to extra tasks.
"Where do you see yourself in five years?"
Show ambition that fits the company: growing expertise, taking on responsibility, perhaps leading a team.
"What are your salary expectations?"
Research the market rate first and give a range. Our salary negotiation guide explains how.
Put this into practice
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Questions to ask the interviewer
- What would success look like in this role after six months?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the team right now?
- How do you support learning and development?
- How would you describe the team culture?
- What are the next steps in the hiring process?
After the interview
Send a short thank-you email within 24 hours. Mention one thing you enjoyed discussing and restate your interest. If you have not heard back by the date they gave, a polite follow-up is completely acceptable.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I arrive for an interview?+
Arrive 10–15 minutes early for in-person interviews. For video interviews, log in 5 minutes early after testing your camera and microphone.
What should I wear to an interview?+
Dress one level smarter than the company's everyday dress code. When unsure, business casual is a safe choice.
Is it okay to bring notes?+
Yes. A notebook with your key stories and questions shows preparation. Glance at it — do not read from it.
BuildCVFast Editorial Team
This guide is written and reviewed by the BuildCVFast editorial team using current hiring practices, published employer guidance and official government sources where relevant. We update our guides regularly. Read our editorial policy or send us a correction.