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#HTT20

“A beginners guide to Job Interviews”

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Hot Tip Tuesday #20

“A beginners guide to Job Interviews”


If there is one thing we hear *a lot* as career mentors and recruiters, is that people HATE interviews. And we get it; you’re going for a job you passionately want (or it could be your first job!) but it all hinges on that one interview with the employer that could make-or-break it.


We’re here to tell you; relax!


Many people over-think interviews and tend to tie themselves in knots beforehand. In today’s HTT we’re going to attempt to demystify the interview process, and give you a couple of tips on how to approach your next job interview with confidence.


What is the point…


At its core, the point of a job interview is a two-way assessment. It's a structured conversation that helps both parties — the employer and you— to answer one key question:

       "Is this a good match?"


Here’s what that really means from both sides:


For the Employer they are looking to see:

  • Can you do the job? (your skills, experience, knowledge)

  • Will you do the job well? (your motivation, attitude, reliability)

  • Will you fit in? (team dynamics, culture, communication style)


For You (the Candidate), you’re assessing:

  • Do I want to work here? (culture, leadership, expectations)

  • Can I succeed here? (support, growth, clarity)

  • Does this align with my values/lifestyle/career goals?

So while it might feel like a test (and they are sometimes is structured like one), a job interview is should be more like a guided conversation about possibilities — of partnership, of contribution, for the future.


So what does all this mean?

Given interviews are not meant to be scary, there are ways you can use this knowledge to your advantage. You’ll find that, at their core, most interviews are based around six pretty standard questions – they may be phrased slightly differently at times, but they are generally the same!


1. “Tell me a little bit about yourself.”

  • Purpose: Icebreaker, but also a test of your ability to summarise and prioritise what's relevant.

  • Tip: Focus on your professional journey, major strengths, why you applied and what brings you to this role.

2. “Why do you want to work here?”

  • Purpose: Tests your motivation and how well you've researched the company.

  • Tip: Align your answer with the company’s values, mission, or projects that genuinely interest you. Also - DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

3. “What are your strengths?”

  • Purpose: Assesses self-awareness and whether your strengths match the role.

  • Tip: Choose 2–3 strengths and back them up with brief, real world examples.

4. “What is your greatest weakness?”

  • Purpose: Tests honesty and growth mindset.

  • Tip: Pick a real (but not deal-breaking) weakness, and show how you’re working on it.

5. “Tell me about a time you faced a challenge at work and how you handled it.”

6. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

  • Purpose: Gauges ambition, direction, and whether your goals align with the role.

  • Tip: Be realistic and tie your future to growth within the company or industry.


Knowing that most interviewers will ask you these questions, you have the advantage of having these answers ready-to-go in advance. You can start to work on your responses to these questions prior to your interview so when they are asked, you’re not caught out trying to come up with a response!


As usual, we could go on for hours with advice on nailing your next interview. The GJH team are always here to help you with this or any other jobseeking advice.  If you would like to gain additional tools and tips for your job search, please  get in touch with the team at GJH on 1300 084 307 or email info@jobshubglenorchy.com.au



For further reading on interview preparation, consider visiting these websites:

  1. SEEK – Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them: Offers a comprehensive guide on frequently asked interview questions with expert advice and sample answers.

  2. Michael Page – 13 Common Job Interview Questions and Sample Answers: Provides detailed explanations and sample responses to common interview questions, helping you tailor your answers effectively.

  3. Youth Central – Common Interview Questions: Offers advice tailored for young job seekers, outlining typical interview questions and suggestions on how to respond.

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