How to Prepare for an Interview

Jul 16, 2026

Upload by Hazel

Guidance for job and other selection interviews on preparation and effective participation. Explains interview structure and purpose, the interviewer’s perspective, how to understand the role and organisation, and how to prepare evidence. Covers common question types (behavioral/competency, case-based, difficult questions), what to ask, conduct on the day and during the interview, disability disclosure, and an interview checklist.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages40

Reading Time1 h 41 min

INTERVIEWS CinCeaf ontrrrmeeatfoireonHigraHesdvreidSceuC ateioorppndvoervcnoipieenst Published by: Careers Service University of Cape Town Private Bag X3 Rondebosch 7701 [www. careers.uct.ac.za](www. careers.uct.ac.za) Telephone: +27 21 650 2497 Email: [careers.service@uct.ac.za](careers.service@uct.ac.za) Editorial: Careers Service Writer: Jean Alfeld Designer: Karien van der Westhuizen, the earth is round Printer: HANSA Print First Edition: December 2011 Copyright © Careers Service, University of Cape Town, 2011 No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in anyway without the written consent of Careers Service, University of Cape Town. CONTENTS 2 Introduction 4 Understanding Interviews: 4 The Interviewer’s Perspective 6 Interviews Come in All Shapes and Sizes 10 Telephonic Discussions and Interviews 11 Knowing What to Expect 12 Know Yourself, the Organisation and Sector: 12 The Importance of Self-awareness 13 Knowledge of the Organisation and Sector 16 Types of Interview Questions: 16 Behavioural/Competency-based Questions 18 Answering Behavioural/Competency-based Questions 20 Exercise: Preparing my Evidence 22 Typical Interview Questions 24 Difficult and Inappropriate Questions 25 Case-based Questions 27 What Should I Be Asking? 28 Conducting Yourself in an Interview: 28 On the Day 31 During the Interview 33 Disclosing your Disability 34 After the Interview 37 Interview Checklist Careers Service information • advice • opportunities Centre for HigHer eduCation development INTRODUCTION There are many reasons why you could be going for an interview: perhaps you did a great job of presenting yourself in your CV and cover letter, so you’ve landed a job interview; it may also be that you have an interview regarding selection for a study programme, conference, bursary, scholarship, funding, volunteer opportunity or leadership position. Whilst this booklet refers to interviews in the context of jobs and employment, the principles and guidelines apply to all interviews. An interview is a structured conversation during which the interviewers will be trying to find out more about you, your skills, experience, extracurricular involvements and personal attributes. They are trying to get a real sense of your suitability to the team and organisation. It is equally important to note that an interview is a two-way conversation: it is your chance to find out more about the opportunity and environment, and to decide if the fit is good for you. Sometimes people go into interviews with a very casual attitude and somehow feel that because they have done it before or ‘are good in interviews’, there is no need to prepare! And for others, just the thought of an interview makes them feel faint and sweaty, causing them to become stressed and overwhelmed. Neither of these approaches is helpful. The ideal is to know what to expect and to prepare well for each

Jul 16, 2026

Upload by Hazel