Successful job interviews

Come to an interview workshop
We offer workshops on interview skills. This workshop will teach you about different types of interviews, the typical interview process and how best to prepare for it. See Careers workshops.

Watch videos on graduate interviews and assessment centres
Find them under Online careers videos.

Practise your interview skills online via InterviewStream
Find out more about InterviewStream under Online career information tools.

Practise your interview skills with a careers consultant
Book an appointment for a practice interview with one of our Careers Consultants. You can book appointments on Auckland CareerHub.

Find out about the interview
Try to find out as much as you can about the interview. Will you be interviewed by one person? More? Who will your interviewers be? What positions do they hold? Will you be tested?

Types of interviews include:

• One-to-one interview.
• Panel interview (two or more interviewers).
• Phone/teleconferencing.
• Assessment centres.
• Psychometric and selection tests.
• Behavioural interviews.

Learn more about the company
Research the company. Check out their website and brochures. Talk to people who work there, if you can.

Analyse the job
Think about why you're ideal for the job. Analyse the job advertisement or description. What is the employer looking for? What can you offer?

Prepare answers and questions
Prepare answers to some common questions. What sort of person are you? Why do you want the job? What can you offer the company? What are your career goals? Your strengths and weaknesses? See Common interview questions.

Prepare some examples for behavioural type questions. See Behavioural interviews.

Prepare your own questions to ask about the job and the company. See Questions to ask at the end of interviews.

Plan your travel
Plan your route to the interview. Aim to arrive 10-15 minutes early.

Dress well
Make sure you look your best. You should look neat, clean and businesslike. Smart casual dress is normally fine for an interview.

Employers tell us it is best to err on the side of caution. The job interview is a formal process leading to a legal employment agreement, so it is a good idea to reflect this in what you wear to the interview.

If you are applying for a position in a company where a high standard of dress is expected, then aim to match the culture of the company, whether there is a dress code or not.

Be positive
Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile. Be positive and enthusiastic in your body language and tone of voice. Be conscious of your body language. Sit in a relaxed, open way. Maintain eye contact. Don't fidget.

Give detailed and specific answers
Don't just say "yes" or "no". Give relevant and specific information that shows you are an ideal candidate for the job.

Ask if you're unsure
If you're not sure what the interviewer has asked, then ask them to repeat the question. Take some time to think of your answers, if you need to.

Show your interest
Ask questions that show your interest in the job and company.

Close the interview well
Thank the interviewer for the opportunity to meet them. Shake hands again and establish when you can expect to hear from them.

Send your thanks
You may like to send a thank you note, card or email to the interviewer. This is courteous and may help them to remember you.

Think about how you did
Review the interview — reflect on what went well and what you could do differently next time.

Ask for feedback
After you have been told of the outcome of the interview, you may like to ask the employer for feedback on your interview performance.