Landing an interview is a significant achievement, but the real challenge lies in converting that opportunity into a job offer. In the Australian job market, interviews are your chance to showcase not just your skills and experience, but also your cultural fit and personality. This comprehensive guide will equip you with proven strategies to excel in your next interview.
Before the Interview: Preparation is Key
Research the Company Thoroughly
Never walk into an interview without comprehensive knowledge about the organisation:
- Company basics: History, mission, values, and recent news
- Products/services: What they offer and who their customers are
- Industry position: Competitors, market share, and unique selling points
- Company culture: Read employee reviews on platforms like Glassdoor and Seek
- Recent achievements: Awards, new contracts, expansions, or product launches
- Challenges: Industry trends or issues they might be facing
Understand the Role Inside Out
Analyse the job description carefully:
- Identify the key skills and experiences required
- Prepare specific examples from your background that demonstrate these competencies
- Understand how the role fits within the broader organisation
- Research the typical salary range for similar positions in Australia
Prepare Your Stories Using the STAR Method
Australian employers heavily favor behavioural interview questions. The STAR method provides a structured way to answer them:
STAR Method Breakdown
- S - Situation: Set the context for your story (who, what, where, when)
- T - Task: Describe your responsibility or challenge
- A - Action: Explain the specific steps you took
- R - Result: Share the outcomes, preferably with quantifiable results
Example Question: "Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult team member."
STAR Response: "In my previous role as project manager (S), I was leading a team of 6 when one member consistently missed deadlines, affecting the entire project timeline (T). I scheduled a private one-on-one meeting to understand the root cause, discovered they were overwhelmed with personal issues, and worked with them to redistribute workload temporarily while connecting them with our EAP program (A). Within three weeks, their performance improved significantly, we delivered the project on time, and they later thanked me for the support, becoming one of our most reliable team members (R)."
Prepare 7-10 STAR stories covering:
- Leadership and teamwork
- Problem-solving and decision-making
- Conflict resolution
- Dealing with failure or setbacks
- Innovation and creativity
- Time management and meeting deadlines
- Communication challenges
Prepare Questions to Ask
Interviews are two-way conversations. Prepare 5-7 thoughtful questions:
- "What does success look like in this role over the first 6-12 months?"
- "Can you describe the team culture and dynamics?"
- "What are the biggest challenges facing the team/department currently?"
- "How does the company support professional development and career progression?"
- "What do you enjoy most about working here?"
- "What are the next steps in the interview process?"
Plan Your Outfit and Route
- Dress code: Business professional is safe (suit and tie for men, suit or professional dress for women). When in doubt, dress one level above the company's daily dress code
- Route planning: If in-person, visit the location beforehand or check transport options. Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early
- Tech check: For virtual interviews, test your camera, microphone, internet connection, and background 24 hours before
During the Interview: Making a Strong Impression
First Impressions Matter
You have approximately 7 seconds to make a first impression:
- Arrive 10-15 minutes early (but not more than 15)
- Greet the receptionist and anyone you meet warmly and professionally
- Offer a firm handshake with good eye contact
- Turn off your mobile phone completely
- Display positive body language from the moment you arrive
Body Language and Communication
Non-verbal communication is just as important as what you say:
- Eye contact: Maintain natural eye contact without staring
- Posture: Sit up straight, lean slightly forward to show engagement
- Hands: Use natural hand gestures, avoid crossing arms
- Facial expressions: Smile genuinely, show enthusiasm
- Mirroring: Subtly match the interviewer's energy level
- Voice: Speak clearly, at a moderate pace, with appropriate volume
Answering Questions Effectively
Strategies for responding to different question types:
Technical Questions
- Be honest about what you know and don't know
- Demonstrate your problem-solving process
- Show willingness to learn if you lack specific knowledge
Behavioural Questions
- Use the STAR method consistently
- Choose examples that highlight your best qualities
- Be authentic and specific
- Focus on your actions and their positive outcomes
Hypothetical Questions
- Think aloud to demonstrate your reasoning
- Ask clarifying questions if needed
- Draw on past experiences when possible
- Show systematic thinking and consideration of consequences
Common Australian Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
1. "Tell me about yourself"
Strategy: This is NOT your life story. Deliver a 60-90 second professional summary covering:
- Current role and key accomplishment
- Brief career progression
- Why you're interested in this opportunity
- What you bring to the table
2. "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
Strengths: Choose 2-3 relevant to the role, with specific examples
Weaknesses: Select a genuine weakness that you're actively working to improve, and explain the steps you're taking. Avoid clichés like "I'm a perfectionist."
3. "Why do you want to work here?"
Strategy: Demonstrate your research and genuine interest:
- Mention specific aspects of the company that appeal to you
- Align your values with the company's mission
- Explain how the role fits your career goals
- Show enthusiasm without seeming desperate
4. "Why are you leaving your current role?"
Strategy: Stay positive, never badmouth your current or previous employer:
- Focus on what you're moving toward, not what you're leaving
- Emphasise career growth and new challenges
- Keep it brief and professional
Handling Difficult Questions
When faced with challenging questions:
- Pause before answering: It's okay to take a moment to think
- Ask for clarification: If you don't understand, politely ask them to rephrase
- Stay calm: Some questions are designed to see how you handle pressure
- Admit gaps honestly: If you don't know something, say so and explain how you'd find out
- Redirect gracefully: If asked something inappropriate, politely redirect to professional topics
Understanding Australian Workplace Culture
Demonstrate cultural awareness during your interview:
- Work-life balance: Australians value this highly; it's appropriate to ask about it
- Egalitarianism: Australian workplaces tend to be less hierarchical than in some cultures
- Direct communication: Be honest and straightforward in your responses
- Team orientation: Emphasise collaboration and teamwork
- Fair go: Show that you value fairness, inclusivity, and giving people a chance
After the Interview: Following Up Professionally
Send a Thank-You Email
Within 24 hours, send a brief, professional thank-you email:
- Thank them for their time
- Reiterate your interest in the position
- Reference a specific conversation point from the interview
- Keep it concise (3-4 sentences)
- Proofread carefully before sending
Reflect and Learn
While the interview is fresh:
- Note questions you struggled with
- Identify what went well and what could improve
- Prepare better answers for next time
- Update your interview preparation notes
Following Up on Your Application
If you haven't heard back within the timeframe they provided:
- Wait until after the stated timeline
- Send a polite, brief email inquiring about the status
- Express continued interest without seeming pushy
- Accept their timeline and response graciously
Handling Different Interview Formats
Panel Interviews
- Make eye contact with all panel members, not just the person who asked the question
- Address your answer to the questioner, but include others with your gaze
- Remember names and try to build rapport with each person
Video Interviews
- Test technology well in advance
- Ensure good lighting (facing a window or lamp)
- Position camera at eye level
- Look at the camera when speaking, not the screen
- Minimise distractions in your background
- Dress professionally from head to toe
Phone Interviews
- Find a quiet location with good reception
- Have your resume and notes in front of you
- Stand or sit up straight (it affects your voice)
- Smile while talking (it comes through in your tone)
- Speak clearly and don't interrupt
Red Flags to Watch For
While being interviewed, also assess if the company is right for you:
- Interviewers are unprepared or dismissive
- They can't clearly explain the role or expectations
- High staff turnover is mentioned or evident
- Unrealistic expectations about hours or responsibilities
- Negative comments about previous employees
- Pressure tactics or rush to make a decision
Final Checklist
Before your interview, ensure you have:
- ✓ Researched the company and role thoroughly
- ✓ Prepared 7-10 STAR method stories
- ✓ Listed questions to ask the interviewer
- ✓ Planned your route and outfit
- ✓ Printed extra copies of your resume
- ✓ Prepared a portfolio or work samples if relevant
- ✓ Confirmed the interview time, location, and format
- ✓ Practiced your introduction and key responses
Conclusion
Successful interviews are the result of thorough preparation, authentic communication, and professional follow-up. By implementing these strategies, you'll approach your next interview with confidence and significantly increase your chances of securing the job offer.
Remember, every interview is a learning opportunity. Even if you don't get the job, you've gained valuable experience and insight for your next opportunity. Stay positive, keep refining your technique, and success will follow.