Get Interview Ready in 5 Easy Steps with The Career Centre

The Career Academy10/05/23

At a glance

48 to 24 hours out

Scan the ad and site. Pull 5 to 7 keywords and themes.
Draft two STAR stories that match the top two requirements.
Check the format. Video or in person.

Night before

Confirm time and link or address.
Set your outfit. Save the ad and your CV as PDFs.
Plan transport or test camera and mic at the same time of day.

Research that pays off

Turn the ad into a simple scorecard. List three outcomes they want and the skills that enable those outcomes. Use the same words they use where it is natural.

Pick one proof point from the company site or a recent update and link it to your skill.
For government roles expect structured behavioral questions and sometimes a short task.

Read: Careers.govt.nz – Interviews hub, Prepare for an interview (PDF). Public sector example: DOC recruitment process.

Researching a company before an interview — Turn the ad into a scorecard you can speak to with proof.

Create two STAR stories that match the ad

Build one story for impact and one for problem solving. Keep each to 60 to 90 seconds. End with why it matters to this team.

Template: Situation: where and when it happened Task: what you needed to achieve Action: what you did step by step Result: what changed and a number if you have one Relevance: one line linking it to this role

Sample: In my support role at Smith & Co, a product recall created a three week backlog. I mapped frequent queries and built three email templates plus same day triage. Median first response fell from 22 hours to 8 and CSAT rose to 4.7 out of 5 in two weeks. Your ad stresses speed and accuracy and this is where I can help.

Read: Tips for answering interview questions, STAR overview in TCA STAR Method.

Preparing two STAR examples — Two short examples beat a long story every time.

Practice the classics and prepare your questions

Tell us about yourself: 45 seconds. Relevant experience, one strength, why this role fits.
Why this company: one proof point from their site or ad linked to your skill.
Biggest strength: pick one that matches the role and add a number.
Biggest weakness: pick a real one you are fixing and show the fix.

Close the interview: Thanks for the time today. Based on what we discussed, I can contribute quickest on [top need]. I would be glad to move to the next step.

Read: What 6 common interview questions actually mean, Questions you can ask at an interview.

Practicing interview answers with notes — Keep answers tight and finish with a clear close.

Set up for the format and test your logistics

Video: light in front of you, camera at eye height, headphones or mic, test at the same time of day, close heavy apps, hotspot ready, tidy background.
In person: plan your route, arrive ten minutes early, bring CV and the ad, know names and roles of interviewers.

Read: Prepare for an interview (PDF). Common Interview Questions (TCA).

Setting up a laptop and camera for a video interview — Test your setup so the tech disappears.

Follow up with timing and tone

Send a thank you email the same day or the next day.
If no timeline was given, one short status check after about five business days.

Thank you email: Subject: Thank you Kia ora [Name], thanks for the conversation today about the [Role]. I enjoyed learning about [team or project]. As discussed, I bring [very short reminder of a relevant strength] and would be keen to contribute. Happy to share anything else you need. Ngā mihi, [Your Name]

Read: After the interview.