Interview Advice & Tips
If your job application is successful, it is highly likely that you will have an interview with the employer. Here, you may be asked a series of questions to determine whether you are right for the role. Sometimes you will have assessments, tasks or presentations to complete alongside your interview. Interviews also provide an opportunity for you to decide if the role is right for you and can support you to learn and develop. The employer will usually make you aware of this beforehand, so that you have time to prepare. If you have any additional requirements or adjustments, it is best practice to let the employer know ahead of time, so that they can accommodate you. Whether your interview is online, face to face, or in a group, our top tips below can help you understand what to expect, and how best to prepare.
Types of interviews
There are many types of interviews that you may attend as part of a recruitment process. When invited to an interview, you will likely be told what type of interview you will have. This will allow you to prepare accordingly.
One-to-One Interview
A one-to-one interview involves a single interviewer asking a series of structured or informal questions to assess your suitability for the role. Your responses may be evaluated using a scoring system.
Panel Interview
Panel interviews involve multiple interviewers who take turns asking questions. Each interviewer may represent a different department or function within the organisation. The panel will often take notes individually and then assess your responses collectively.
Telephone Interviews/Pre-screening calls
Telephone interviews or pre-screening calls are common in the early stages of the hiring process. They are often used by employers to assess whether your qualifications, experience, and personality are a good fit for the role. Before inviting you to a more formal in-person or video interview.
Find a quiet place: Ensure that you are in a distraction-free environment, with a strong phone signal.
Prepare your CV and job description: Have them in front of you so you can reference them easily during the conversation.
Speak clearly and at a moderate pace: Without face-to-face interaction, your tone and clarity become even more important.
Have a glass of water nearby: Stay hydrated to maintain clear speech.
Be mindful of body language: Even though the interviewer cannot see you, sitting up straight and smiling can help project confidence through your voice.
Take notes: Write down important points during the interview for future reference.
Ask for clarification if needed: If you do not understand a question, it is okay to ask the interviewer to rephrase it.
Video Interviews
Video interviews are often either live or pre-recorded.
Live video interviews: Conducted via platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams, allowing real-time interaction.
Recorded video interviews: You will be given a set of questions and asked to record your responses, which will be reviewed later by the employer. You may only be given one attempt to provide an answer so it’s important to prepare accordingly.
Video interview top tips:
Make sure you have a working camera and microphone and are free from any distractions.
Check what is behind you. Is it professional? Consider applying a background blur to your video.
Ensure the camera is at eye level and you are centrally positioned.
Check that you have good lighting. Face any natural light.
Have notes as prompts at eye level but try not to read directly from them.
To practice video interviews or different kinds of interview questions, you can use your university log in on Shortlist.Me.
Group Interviews
Group interviews are often used by employers to assess your ability to work within a group. It may be that they have multiple vacancies and are looking to hire more than one candidate, or it may be that the role involves a substantial amount of group work. A group interview is your opportunity to show off your skills and impress the recruiter but not to overshadow others. This LinkedIn article on Group interviews has further information and advice on how to navigate them.
Styles of questions
There are many different types of questions that you could be asked during an interview. You could be asked personal questions, technical questions about a particular skill, or even questions that encourage you to talk about how you would behave in specific situations. This Indeed Article on the different types of interview questions has a number of examples of what you may be asked in an interview.
A good way to answer interview questions is through using the STAR Method:
Situation: Describe the context of the experience.
Task: Explain the challenge or responsibility you faced.
Action: Detail the specific actions you took.
Result: Share the outcome and what you learned.
Below is an example of the STAR Method being used effectively:
Interviewer: “Can you describe a time when you had to work under pressure to meet a deadline?”
Situation: “In my final year at University, I had a group project deadline approaching, while also preparing for an important exam.”
Task: “My role was to compile and edit our research findings into a final report, ensuring it met the required standards before submission.”
Action: “I created a clear schedule, dividing my time between exam revision and the project. I also set internal deadlines for my group, ensuring everyone submitted their sections on time. To stay on track, I regularly checked in with my teammates and addressed any challenges quickly.”
Result: “We submitted the project on time, received positive feedback from our professor, and I performed well in my exam. This experience strengthened my time management and teamwork skills”
Questions for you to ask the interviewer
Asking insightful questions at the end of your interview can help you show you interest in the employer that is interviewing you. It also is a good way to learn more about the organisation and their ways of working, culture and organisational structure. This Prospects article has a number of examples of questioners you can ask at your interview.
Interview etiquette
What should I wear?
This may depend on the role you are applying for. If it is a practical job, perhaps involving manual labour or health and safety risks, you may be asked to wear work boots or long trousers. For most graduate jobs, or if it is not specified, we would recommend dressing smartly, in tailored trousers or a skirt with a shirt or blouse. Clothes should be clean, professional and tidy.
How do I greet the interviewer?
Greeting the interview panel with a firm handshake can be a great way to make a good first impression. If you are unable to shake hands, or do not feel comfortable doing so, it should not hinder your chances of getting the job. You should always introduce yourself and allow the interviewers to introduce themselves to you. Remember to be polite, well-mannered and enthusiastic, allowing your positivity and personality to come across.
What if I do not understand the question?
If you do not understand an interview question, or you need some time to think about it, it is not a problem to ask the interviewer for further clarity. They want you to do well.
What about body language?
It is best practice to sit naturally, without slouching or leaning. Try to be relaxed and confident and speak in a way that is natural to you. Making eye contact, if you feel comfortable to do so, can help to make a positive connection with the interviewers.
Preparation tips
You can download our mock interview questions document to help you prepare. We would recommend practising with a friend or family member. Remember that it is important to provide evidence to support your statements, drawing on examples from your studies or any work experience you have.
It is important to do your research into the organisation that you are interviewing with. Consider questions such as:
What are their values or mission statement?
What challenges are they facing?
What is it about the organisation that has made you want that job?
Nerves are a normal part of interviews, but it is important that you are in control of them. You may find it helpful to take some deep breaths before you go into the interview or to have something nice planned afterwards as a treat.
Resources
The following resources are available to access for additional support:
Student Circus: International Student Careers Manual
Shortlist.me: Interview Preparation Platform
National Careers Service: Interview Tips
Prospects: How to Prepare for an Interview
Booking an appointment for interview support
You can book a 1-to-1 appointment with the Careers Service for personalised interview support on upcoming interviews. Whether you are new to the UK job market or a graduate applying for full time roles, we are here to help!
How to book via Handshake (York Campus):
Log in to Handshake using your York St John University email.
Go to the "Career Centre" tab.
Select "Appointments" and choose "Book an Appointment".
Select York Careers Appointments and select the type of the appointment that best suits your needs.
Pick a time that works best for you and confirm your appointment.
How to book via Handshake (London Campus):
Email the London Campus Careers Service (london.careers@yorksj.ac.uk) with a copy of your interview confirmation.
Log in to Handshake using your York St John University email.
Go to the "Career Centre" tab.
Select "Appointments" and choose "Book an Appointment".
Select London Careers Appointments and Choose “London Campus Interview/Open Day/Assessment Centre Support”.
Pick a time that works best for you and confirm your appointment.
Please note: We will need a copy of your interview invite before you are able to schedule an appointment.