The document provides guidance from UNSW Careers and Employment on how to prepare for and succeed in a job interview, including how to make a good first impression, how to answer different types of interview questions, and steps to take before, during, and after an interview. It offers tips on researching the employer and position, developing responses to common questions, and following up after the interview. The goal is to help job seekers understand the interview process and feel confident and prepared when an opportunity arises.

1. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
A c e the
In t e r v ie w !
E f f e c t iv e
In t e r v ie w
P r e p a r a t io n
J ill M c A lis t e r
C a re e rs a nd
E m p lo y m e n t
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2. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
A c t iv it y : F ir s t
Im p r e s s io n s C o u n t !
S t e p 1: In t r o d u c e y o u r s e lf t o
s ome body - s ha ke ha nds
S te p 2 : F o r 1 m in u t e , e x p la in . . .
Key information about yourself
Your career goals
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3. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
F ir s t Im p r e s s io n s
C o unt!
• Tone of Voice
• Start the interview confidently
• Opening lines
• Handshake
• Body language
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4. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
T h r e e -s t e p p r o c e s s
P r e -In t e r v ie w P r e p a r a t io n
T h e In t e r v ie w It s e lf
P o s t – In t e r v ie w A c t iv it ie s
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5. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
P r e -In t e r v ie w
P r e p a r a t io n s
K no w the J o b a nd
O r g a n is a t io n
– Organisation: structure, culture, values,
recent developments
– Job: purpose, criteria, daily duties,
terminology
K n o w a n d C r it iq u e
Yo u r s e l f
– Why do you want the job, & why in that
organisation?
– Familiarise yourself with your resume, cover
letter / application form
– What do you have to offer?
– Prepare answers w . typicale r s . u n s w . e d u .
w w to c a r e questions

6. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
P r e -In t e r v ie w
P r e p a r a t io n s
K no w Wha t to E x p e c t
– Structured v.s. unstructured
– One to one, panel, group
– Who is interviewing you? Names and
roles?
– Face to Face / Telephone / Online / On
Campus
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7. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
P urp o s e o f the
In t e r v ie w
F o r t h e in t e r v ie w e r
– Can you do the job?
– Will you do the job?
– Do you fit?
Confirmation of their impressions
F o r t h e in t e r v ie w e e
– To present your abilities, knowledge, aspirations and
experience
– To gain a further insight into the position, employer and
organisation
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8. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
In t e r v ie w Q u e s t io n
Ty p e s
S t a n d a r d ( O p e n -e n d e d )
q u e s t io n s
S it u a t io n a l q u e s t io n s
B e h a v io u r a l q u e s t io n s
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9. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
S ta nd a rd ( O p e n-
e n d e d ) Q u e s t io n s
General questions used as ice-breakers.
Eg:
• What attracted you to apply to our
organisation?
• What are your strengths? And your
weaknesses?
• Tell me about yourself.
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10. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
S ta nd a rd ( O p e n-
e n d e d ) Q u e s t io n s
General questions used as ice-breakers. Eg:
• What attracted you to apply to our organisation?
• What are your strengths? And your weaknesses?
• Tell me about yourself.
 Address the essential criteria
 Focus on your achievements
 Ask if you should expand on any of the points made, if you are
worried that your answer is too short
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11. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
S it u a t io n a l
QHypothetical scenarios to see how you would
u e s t io n s
respond.
• How would you handle a difficult customer if your
boss was away?
• Here is a problem we faced recently ... How
would you have dealt with this?
 Understand how situational questions are developed
 Take the time to think about your answer
 Make assumptions
 Address WHAT you would do and WHY
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12. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
B e h a v io u r a l
QQuestions s youitoo n sprevious experiences
u e for t describe
• Describe a complex problem you have solved
recently.
• Have you been in any situations where you were
required to perform as part of a team? What was
the situation, what part did you play in the team
and what was the outcome of the exercise?
 Choose relevant, recent and special examples
 Use the STAR Approach: S
S ituation
T ask R T
A ction
R esult A
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13. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
S a m p le B e h a v io u r a l
Ans w e r
W h e r e h a v e y o u p r e v io u s ly
d e m o n s t r a t e d h ig h -le v e l
o r g a n is a t io n a l s k ills ?
(S) I have shown strong organisational skills as a
project
assistant while assisting a research team.
(T) One time, I helped the team to schedule some
clinical trials.
 That involved booking facilities and equipments plus
S
arranging for participants to attend. I developed a
spreadsheet where I could record and track R T
information.
A
 Doing this ensured the trials ran smoothly, despite
the
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tight schedule. I was invited to join the team again

14. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
S a m p le In t e r v ie w
Q u e s t io n s
1) What would you do if you disagree with your
supervisor in a meeting?
2) Have you ever been responsible for the
generation of a new idea or suggestion?
Describe and explain.
3) What do you see yourself doing five years from
now?
4) Describe how you have coped with a new or
difficult situation.
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15. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
A c t iv it y -
P r a c t ic e
ma ke s
p e rfe c t . . .
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16. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
Q u e s t i o n s F o r Yo u
To A s k
• How much scope will there be for …?
• What are some of the current projects being
undertaken? What could my first project be?
• What do you see as the immediate goals of the
position? How will you measure performance?
• What do you see as the future for the position?
• Daily routine, specific demands and challenges for a
graduate employee (day in the life)?
• How does this position relate to the others within the
organisation?
• Opportunities for career progression, training and
advancement?
• Growth plans for the organisation?
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17. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
P o s t In t e r v ie w
A c C to inv tir t c ei v s t h i n k i n g
s u
it e
– Review and analyse what happened
– What went well/not so well and why?
– Use this for future reference
F o llo w -u p a c t io n
– Quick call / Email to the interviewer
– Express your appreciation for their time
– Reinforce your interest and enthusiasm in
the role in as few words as possible
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18. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
P o s t In t e r v ie w
A c t iv it ie s –
W h a t is N e x t ?
In v it a t io n t o t h e n e x t
round
– Assessment day / centre
– Psychometric testing
– Panel interviews
– Reference checks
“ R e je c t io n ” le t t e r
– Use interview feedback to
your advantage
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19. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
? www.careers.unsw.edu.

20. UNSW CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT
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Q u a d r a n g le
B u ild in g .
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www.careers.unsw.edu.