Preparing For Interviews: The EmployabilitySeries By Joanna Scott
In our employability series, our Kickstart Marketing Assistant, Joanna, shares her experience of working with us and her journey to change career path following her studies. This series of blogs provides insightful knowledge from From Learner to Earner (Amazon link) by Sophie Milliken, alongside independent research and relatable stories about the process of finding employment.
Use these blogs to support, inspire and encourage Kickstart team members in your organisation, and anyone you know seeking employment.
Facing the Fear of Interviews
For me, the interview has got to be the scariest, most daunting part of seeking employment—though it’s absolutely pivotal to obtaining a position.
The employer wants to meet you! How exciting… (hides in a corner).
I won’t lie—there have been times when I emailed an employer to say I couldn’t attend an interview due to “illness,” just to avoid the dreaded experience. Looking back, I regret that. Even if you know you won’t accept the position, attending the interview is 100% worth it. It gives the employer a chance to meet you, find out who you are, and it might mean they consider you for a job in the future.
For example, I was hired for my first part-time job because I had previously been unsuccessful—but the manager remembered me and decided to give me a chance. I didn’t end up becoming the CEO of that company, but it gave me valuable experience that helped me move into other roles.
Preparing for Interviews
Preparing can feel overwhelming. How do you prepare for something when you don’t know what to expect?
Some interviewers ask common questions (Prospects guide), while others use a more casual, conversational style, often known as strength-based questions.
My advice:
Prepare answers to the most common questions, but make sure they are authentic and reflect your skills and personality.
Research the company and job role so you can answer confidently and ask insightful questions at the end.
The STARR Technique
In From Learner to Earner (Amazon link), Sophie Milliken suggests using the STARR technique to answer competency-based questions.
These types of questions target specific skills needed for the role. The STARR method encourages you to:
Situation – Describe the context.
Task – Explain the task at hand.
Action – Detail the steps you took.
Result – Share the outcome.
Reflection – Consider what you learned.
By explaining the how, why, and what of your answers, you greatly improve your chances of success.
Practice and Preparation
Mock interviews with friends or family can be very helpful. Each time I practised, I felt more confident walking into the real interview. Preparation truly is the key to success—unless you already know the employer well, and even then, being prepared helps you shine.
Be Yourself
The most relieving advice I’ve ever received is simple: just be yourself.
There’s no need to act like someone you’re not. Employers want to see your personality, goals, and passions, and assess how you’ll fit into the company. I’ve worked in roles where I didn’t fit in—and it’s not a nice feeling. Be 100% yourself so both you and the employer can see if it’s the right match.
Resources for Interview Preparation
From Learner to Earner on Amazon
