Prepare for an interview with clear, relevant examples

Understand the interview before preparing

Confirm the date, time, location or meeting link, expected duration and who you will meet. Ask whether there is an assessment, presentation or practical task and what preparation is expected. For an online interview, test the link, sound and connection in advance. For an in-person meeting, plan the journey and a realistic arrival time.

Build a small bank of examples

Choose examples that show the skills in the role description. Work, study, volunteering and projects can all be relevant. A useful structure is situation, task, action and result: explain the context, what you needed to achieve, what you personally did and what happened. Keep the emphasis on your contribution and be honest about lessons learned.

Practise without memorising a script

Try explaining each example aloud in a few minutes. Check that someone unfamiliar with the work could understand it. Prepare enough detail to answer follow-up questions, but do not try to force the same example into every answer. If a question is unclear, ask for it to be repeated or clarified before responding.

Ask questions that help you decide

Consider what you need to know about the daily work, priorities, working pattern and support. Useful questions include: What would a good first three months look like? How does the team share feedback? What training or handover is available? Ask about points that matter to your decision rather than questions chosen only to sound impressive.

Discuss arrangements that help you take part

If written instructions, a break, clearer task information or another arrangement would help, raise it before the interview where possible. Explain the stage you need help with and what would make it easier to demonstrate your skills. Our adjustment-request route explains how to contact Findu.

Know the next step

Before finishing, ask about the remaining stages and expected decision timetable. Afterwards, note what you learned about the role and any questions still outstanding. If an offer follows, review the written terms and ask about unclear points before accepting. An interview is also your opportunity to decide whether the work and environment suit you.

More support

Read the National Careers Service interview guide. Review your CV, understand our recruitment process or register your career interests. There are no live vacancies advertised at present.