Introduction to 'Prepare for an interview'
Interviews come in all shapes and sizes. It may be a coffee and a chat with the boss, or a full day of formal interviews with different people. Whatever yours looks like, it’s natural to be a bit nervous.
But don’t worry. Do your research, plan how to ask and answer questions and this can help you feel more confident on the day. This lesson will help get you ready.
What you'll learn
- How interviews work.
- What information you need and how to find it.
- Ways to approach common questions.
- The practical side of preparing.
How long it takes
13 minutes
Check your invite
Chapter 1
How long it takes
4 minutes
What to look for
When you get an invitation to an interview, it will usually tell you what to expect. All interviews are different, so it’s a good idea to read through these details carefully.
It should tell you key facts, like:
Where the interview is
This may be a face-to-face location or a video call invite.
The interview structure
This will often tell you whether it’s formal or informal and how many people will be there.
Any extras to prepare for
The employer might also ask you to do tests, presentations or other activities. If it’s not clear from your invite, do ask.
Want to hear how others have prepared? Watch this video.
Do your research
Chapter 2
How long it takes
1 minute
Research the company
Learning about the company will help you decide if it’s a good fit for you. Plus, ‘what do you know about us?’ is a common interview question. So, spend some time getting to know more about the company.
Visit their website
Here are a few things to look at:
Their story
Most sites have a section called ‘About us’. They may also call this ‘Our story’, ‘Who we are’ or ‘Our vision’.
Their history
How long have they been trading?
Their structure
How many employees do they have?
Their mission statement and values
Note any values that match your own. Think about how you can show this match through your own experience.
Other places to search
Social media
Look on the company’s social media to see what they’re doing. Look them up on sites like LinkedIn and Glass Door, too.
Industry news
Have they made any recent press releases? Look in their ‘Press’ or ‘News’ pages, plus industry sites or journals.
Research the people
The CEO
It’s always good to know who runs the company. Find their name from on the website, then check for them on LinkedIn and industry websites. You can get an idea of the kind of person they are, plus their values and what they see as important.
Your interviewer
When you’re doing your research, don’t forget to look for your interviewer. Do they appear in the company website? You can also find more about them on social media and LinkedIn.
You may spot common interests here. This can be useful if you have a chat with them just before the formal interview starts.
Remember
You don’t need to memorise everything about the company and the people – just a few key facts. You’ll just need to let them know you’re interested and have done some research.
Answering questions
Chapter 3
How long it takes
4 minutes
Types of questions
During your interview, the employer will ask questions about yourself, your career, your skills and goals. It’s their way to get to know you better, so they can see if you’re a good fit for the role.
It’s impossible to prepare answers for every question you’ll get in your interview. There may also be some you prepare for that you don’t get to use. In this chapter, we’ll talk about some of the more common questions and how to approach them.
Let’s look first at the types of questions you’re likely to hear.
Questions may be about:
The job
Your CV
Skills you need
Role-related questions
These questions are all about how the company sees the role. Read the job description carefully to find clues about what they’re likely to ask. Highlight key words and phrases. Then for each one, think about your own experience. Jot down examples in your work history that match.
For example, the job description may include ‘updating records and keeping them in line with data protection laws’. You may have experience that includes keeping information up-to-date or making sure personal data is held securely.
Questions about your CV
Interviewers may go through your CV or ask questions about parts of it that interest them. If there are any gaps in your work history, think about how you’ll explain these.
For example, taking on caring responsibilities can showcase your management and multi-tasking skills. If a gap followed redundancy, describe how you planned, searched and prepared for your next role.
Skills and competency questions
Employers will want to get a deeper understanding of the skills you talk about in your CV. This might start by them asking: ‘Tell me about a time when you …’. So, make a note of examples that prove your skills.
You can use examples from both your work history and outside of work. Keep in mind what they’re looking for and try to come up with different examples for each skill that they’re likely to ask.
One technique you can use for this is called STAR.
The STAR technique
S - Situation
Help them understand the context of your experience. When did it happen, what led to the task? Remember, they don’t have your experience, so don’t assume they know everything. Take time to explain the things they need to know to understand the example.
T - Task
Describe what you needed to do and why. What outcome did you need to achieve?
A - Action
What did you do? How? Show your personal approach, actions and skills. What did you personally do to achieve the overall task.
R - Result
Explain the results. This helps them understand examples of outcomes you can bring to the role.
How to use STAR:
- Read the job post again.
- Highlight the skills and experience the role needs.
- Review your skills and experience, noting which ones you can use for this role.
- Write a STAR for each of the role requirements, based on your skills and experiences.
- Practice speaking these examples out loud.
Let's look at an example.
Situation
While I was working in Customer Services, our team became aware that our customers weren’t interacting with the new service.
Task
My line manager asked me to find out why and try to find a solution.
Action
I started by doing some customer research in one of our hubs. This helped me to understand the issues with the current service. I created a list of recommendations for re-design. I worked with stakeholders and others in the team to define these changes.
Result
This gave us a prioritised list of improvements for the team to design and build. We’ve already seen a 30% uplift in customer interactions since the team started embedding this.
Other questions
Try searching online for common interview questions. These are the kind of questions that many employers use, no matter what the job role is. So, it’s a good idea to consider these and work out how you would answer them.
Common interview questions include:
- Why do you want this job?
- Why do you want to work for us?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Idea
No matter how much you prepare, there may be questions you don’t expect. So, practise thinking in the moment. This can help give you the confidence to give suitable, considered responses to those surprise questions.
Toastmasters clubs host regular sessions where you can practise and develop these skills in a welcoming and supportive setting.
Questions to ask
Chapter 4
How long it takes
2 minutes
Why it’s good to ask questions at an interview
Don’t forget, an interview should be a conversation. It’s not just about them finding out whether you’re a good fit for the role. You’re also there to make sure the job and the company are right for you.
A good interviewer will give you the chance to ask them anything. So do have a few questions prepared.
Questions to ask – and what not to ask
This is your chance to find out more about the team and role beyond the job post. It can also show your enthusiasm for the role. You may already have a few ideas of what you want to ask. Let’s look at a few and see which ones are good to ask in an interview – and which ones to avoid.
Ask
- What does a typical day look like? This shows you want to know more about the role and understand the details
- How do they see the team or the company developing over the next few years?
- Who else is in the team? This shows you’re interested in who you’ll work with.
- About their time working there – Phrase this positively, asking for highlights.
- What will happen next – When you’re likely to hear back and how.
Don't ask
- What’s the salary? This may sound like you’re more interested in the money than the job itself.
- What perks do you offer? Again, it may look like your focus is on the benefits rather than the job.
- Basic questions – Avoid asking anything that is in the job post or that they’ve already told you.
- Personal questions – Keep it professional and only ask questions that relate to the job.
- How did I do? They may not be able (or willing) to tell you at this stage. So don’t put them on the spot.
Practical tips
Chapter 5
How long it takes
2 minutes
Physical interviews
What to wear
A suit or smart dress in dark or muted colours works well in most interviews. If in doubt, it’s best to wear something more formal than you might expect to wear in the workplace.
You’re aiming to look clean, neat and tidy. So, iron that shirt and check you can walk in those shoes – you need to feel your best.
Travel plans
How are you planning to travel? Check things like bus and train timetables, or where you’ll park your car. If you get the chance, do a practice run at the same time of day. This can help to get an accurate idea of how long it will take you to get there.
Plan to set off early, to allow for unexpected traffic or problems with public transport. Make sure you have a contact phone number, so you can let them know if something happens and you are running late.
What to take
Check what you need to take with you. This may include certificates, proof of ID and a copy of your CV. If your interview includes a presentation, make sure you have what you need to run this. It’s sometimes helpful to bring a pen and notepad to make notes during the interview.
Virtual interviews
Think about the device you’ll use for the interview and where you’ll be. Most video calling tools let you blur or change your background, which can make it look more professional. Get familiar with the platform and try a few test calls with a friend if you can, so you’re familiar with features like the mute button, volume and video controls.
Make sure you have good lighting and check that your microphone works OK. Sometimes, using a headset makes these calls clearer for both you and the person at the other end.
Watch this video for tips on how to present yourself online.
Remember
Interviews can be stressful. It’s OK to feel nervous about it. The important thing is not to let your nerves get in the way. Preparing well is likely to improve your confidence. A good outfit can also help you feel your best. Plus, try to get a good night’s sleep the night before, so you’re not too tired.
Think about what might help you show the best possible version of yourself on the day. Most of all, walk into the interview with a smile. Just doing this can make you feel happier. Plus, it gives a positive first impression to interviewers.
Related learning links
Your future work skills
Applying for jobs
Creating your CV
Starting employment
Want to learn more?
There are many more lessons to help you find jobs and grow your skills for the workplace.
Lloyds Bank Academy is committed to providing information in a way that is accessible and useful for our users. This information, however, is not in any way intended to amount to authority or advice on which reliance should be placed. You should seek professional advice as appropriate and required. Any sites, products or services named in this module are just examples of what's available. Lloyds Bank does not endorse the services they provide. The information in this module was last updated on 31st March 2025.