Preparing for your first interview

Introduction

Your first interview can feel intimidating, but remember that employers are not expecting perfection. They want to understand who you are, how you think and whether you'll be a good fit for the role.

Preparation is the best way to build confidence. The more familiar you are with the role and your own experiences, the more natural the conversation will feel.

Before the interview

Start by reading the job advert carefully. Highlight the skills, qualities and responsibilities the employer mentions most often. These are usually the areas they'll ask about during the interview.

Prepare a short example for each key skill. Your examples do not need to come from paid work. Employers understand that many candidates are applying for their first role.

You could talk about experiences from school or college projects, university assignments, sports teams or clubs, volunteering, caring responsibilities, personal projects or hobbies, or part-time work if you have it.

Think about what you did, what you learned and what the outcome was.

If you're attending an interview in person, plan your journey in advance and aim to arrive around 10 minutes early. If it's an online interview, test your camera, microphone and internet connection the day before, and choose a quiet place where you won't be interrupted.

Answering interview questions

Many interview questions are designed to help employers understand how you've handled situations in the past.

A simple structure can help keep your answers clear: what was the situation? What did you do? What was the result?

You don't need to give long answers. Two or three well-structured sentences are often more effective than several minutes of unnecessary detail.

It's also perfectly acceptable to pause and think before answering. Taking a few seconds shows you're considering your response rather than rushing into it.

If you don't understand a question, ask the interviewer to repeat it or explain it in a different way. Interviewers would much rather clarify the question than receive an answer that doesn't address what they asked.

Common questions you may be asked

While every interview is different, many employers ask similar questions, such as: tell us a little about yourself; why do you want this role?; what interests you about our organisation?; what are your strengths?; tell us about a time you worked as part of a team; and how do you deal with challenges or setbacks?

Preparing a few examples beforehand will help you answer these questions with confidence.

Questions to ask the interviewer

Most interviews finish by asking whether you have any questions.

This is your opportunity to learn more about the role and show that you're genuinely interested.

Good questions include: what does a typical week look like?; what training and support will I receive during my first few months?; who would I be working with?; what qualities do successful people in this role usually have?; and what are the next steps in the recruitment process?

Reasonable adjustments

If you are disabled, neurodivergent or have a health condition, you can ask for reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.

Examples include receiving interview questions in advance, extra time to answer questions, a quieter interview room, rest breaks during a longer interview, or alternative interview formats where appropriate.

Employers are expected to consider reasonable adjustment requests and should work with you to ensure the interview process is fair and accessible.

Remember

Interviewers know you're likely to be nervous, especially if it's your first interview. They're not looking for someone who has all the answers. They're looking for someone who is prepared, interested in the opportunity and willing to learn.

Every interview is valuable experience, whether you get the job or not. Each one helps you build confidence, improve your interview skills and prepare for future opportunities.