How do I prepare for an interview?

So you've got an interview - congratulations!

Now it's time to prepare. You'll want to think through your experience, make some notes, and practice your answers out loud. This will help you to feel confident and showcase your skills. 💪

Watch the video below for top tips on interviewing with our very own caseworker, Emily.

Practice interview questions

Click here to put your skills to use by practicing interview answers! Simply write down the answer you would give to that question in the interview. You may even want to record yourself saying them out loud to see how they will sound.

Try our practice questions now

You can refer back to the video above if you need a few more hints and tips!

Preparing for a job interview

You get one chance at an interview so why not prepare and show the best version of yourself
Read and review the job description. Make sure you have a really good understanding of the role you’re applying for
Research the company. Get to know their core values/mission, history and plans for the future
Plan your journey to the interview. Nobody likes being like, stuck in traffic while panicking about what time you’ll arrive or worst getting lost. Plan ahead and avoid arriving late

Physical/virtual presentation

Dress professionally. Mirror the level of professional clothing you expect your interviewer to wear
If you are interview virtually, keep your background tidy and professional

During the interview

Maintain eye contact throughout the interview
Listen carefully to the interviewer. You can do this by summarising their points, building on any comments they make and answering questions directly
Look interested and happy to be there
Keep a professional posture. Sit still, with your back straight and keep your feet on the ground
Thank the interviewer for their time at the end of the call

After the interview

Follow up with a thank-you email. It shows you are keen and willing to go the extra mile
If the date for feedback passes, follow up with a polite email asking for feedback
If you’re unsuccessful, ask for feedback.

Most importantly - failing does not make you a failure, it makes you are learner

“Describe a time when…”

This is a really common question in an interview. It can help the interviewer to understand how you have responded to difficult situations at work in the past. Before your interview, practise coming up with some answers. You might want to use the STAR method -

Some examples to try:

Describe a time when you worked well in a team and supported colleagues.

Describe a time when you solved a problem at work.

Describe a time when you disagreed with someone at work, and how you resolved it.

Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.

Finally, wishing you good luck from everyone at Beam! Don’t forget that you’re a fantastic candidate for the job - it’s time to help the interviewer see that, too!