Job Interview Tips

If you get invited to an interview, congratulations!

You must have made a great first impression, now you just need to follow though. These tips will help you succeed.

Job interview formats

Be prepared for different interview formats:

• In-person – traditional face-to-face meetings at the workplace
• Video – conducted via Zoom, Teams, or similar platforms
• Phone – often used for initial screening
• AI-assisted – recorded video interviews with AI analysis (less common for entry-level positions)

What to wear

One of the most stressful parts of going to an interview can be deciding what to wear! The main aim is just to look neat, tidy and professional so try not to lose sleep over it – focus more on what you’ll say.

For video interviews, ensure your background is tidy and well-lit, and dress professionally from head to toe (not just on top!). Test your technology beforehand to avoid technical issues.

Some employers have policies about visible tattoos and piercings. Consider this in your presentation, though workplace attitudes have become more relaxed in recent years.

Questions you may be asked

Once you’ve been to a few job interviews, you might notice that the questions follow a fairly standard format.

The interviewer might go through your resume and ask about the examples you’ve listed, so be prepared to talk a bit more about them. They could also ask you to provide examples of qualities or skills that are important in the job you’re interviewing for.

Common question types include:

• Behavioural questions (describe a time when…)
• Situational questions (what would you do if…)
• Questions about your availability and flexibility
• Questions about your understanding of the role and company

In preparing, try to come up with an answer to each of these common interview questions:

• What are your key strengths and how would they help you in this role?
• Why do you want this job and what interests you about our company?
• Describe a situation where you worked as part of a team to achieve a goal
• Provide an example of a situation where you showed initiative or solved a problem
• How do you manage your time when balancing work, study, and other commitments?

Top Tips:

• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when answering behavioural questions
• Prepare specific examples from school, volunteering, sports, or previous work
• Research the company online before your interview (website, social media channels)
• Bring a copy of your resume and a notepad

Questions for you to ask

Towards the end, interviewers usually ask if you have any questions for them. This is your chance to confirm any details you’re unsure about and show your genuine interest in the role.

Important questions to ask:

• What is the pay rate?
• What are the hours and roster patterns?
• Is the role casual, part-time, or full-time?
• What training or support will I receive when I start?
• What are the next steps in the hiring process?

It’s very important to know these details before you accept the job. Things like your pay and hours should be confirmed before you accept to avoid any confusion later on. You should also confirm whether you will be employed as a casual or part-time employee, each of which has different rights and responsibilities.

Casual vs part-time

For your first job you’ll probably be either part-time or casual. Here’s how to tell the difference.

Casual workers are employed on an hourly or daily basis and might not have regular or guaranteed hours of work. They aren’t entitled to paid sick leave or annual leave, but instead receive a higher hourly pay rate known as ‘casual loading’ (usually 25% extra).

Part-time employees have guaranteed minimum hours each week (generally in the same pattern) but fewer hours than a full-time employee (38hrs). They receive the same leave entitlements as a full-time employee, but in proportion to the amount of hours they work (called ‘pro-rata’).

Know your rights: All young workers in Australia are protected by workplace laws, including minimum pay rates, safe working conditions, and limits on working hours for those under 18.

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