Complete Job Interview Guide
A detailed interview-preparation system covering research, evidence banks, STAR structure, difficult questions, language control, online interviews and strong closing questions.
1. Understand the interviewer's decision
Interview questions are evidence-gathering tools. Your job is not to produce perfect speeches; it is to provide credible evidence that you can perform the role.
2. Build an evidence bank
Prepare 6–8 stories
Cover achievement, challenge, conflict, initiative, leadership, failure/learning, stakeholder management and pressure. Reuse stories flexibly rather than memorising one answer per question.
3. STAR properly
Situation → Task → Action → Result
Keep Situation and Task short. Spend most time on Action. Explain your decisions, not just what “we” did.
| Stage | Question to answer |
|---|---|
| Situation | What was happening? |
| Task | What were you responsible for? |
| Action | What exactly did you do and why? |
| Result | What changed, what evidence exists, what did you learn? |
4. Tell me about yourself
Present → relevant past → future
Start with your current professional identity, connect 1–2 relevant threads from your background, and finish with why this opportunity makes sense now.
5. Why this role?
Three-part answer
Role substance + organisation/context + fit with your capabilities. Avoid generic praise that could apply to any employer.
6. Strengths
Claim + evidence + relevance
“One of my strengths is simplifying complex information. For example… That is useful in this role because…”
7. Weakness/development area
Genuine but managed
Choose a real area, explain its impact, and show the concrete strategy you use to improve it. Avoid fake weaknesses.
8. Failure questions
Ownership without self-destruction
Choose a real example where you can demonstrate judgement, reflection and changed behaviour.
9. Conflict questions
Show professional disagreement
Focus on the issue, evidence, communication and resolution rather than portraying the other person negatively.
10. Difficult questions
Leaving, gaps, salary, overqualification
Stay factual and forward-looking. For salary, know the market and frame the discussion around role scope and total package. For gaps, answer briefly and redirect to current readiness.
11. Online interviews
Technical and communication control
- Test camera, audio and internet.
- Place camera near eye level.
- Keep notes minimal and out of direct view.
- Pause slightly before answering to account for latency.
- Keep examples concise.
12. Questions to ask
13. Final rehearsal
Source note
Original Corrigan School material. The guidance is informed by established university and public career-services practice, including Harvard career guidance, Europass and the UK National Careers Service, but all wording, examples and exercises here are newly written.