Interview Tips

Use these suggestions to prepare examples, research the role and practise clear answers. Interview formats and evaluation criteria vary; follow the instructions from the employer or recruitment body.

Before the interview

1. Know your own resume

A panel may ask about what you have written about yourself. Prepare concise explanations of your degree, project, any gap in your studies and relevant interests. If you list reading as a hobby, be ready to discuss something you have read.

2. Know the organisation and the post

Find out what the organisation does, how large it is, who heads it and what has been in the news about it recently. For a bank post, read about the bank's history, its main products and the duties of the post you have applied for.

3. Practise example questions

Try prompts such as "Tell us about yourself", "Why do you want this job?", "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" and "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Write short answers in your own words and practise saying them aloud. These are preparation examples, not a prediction of your interview. See our HR interview questions for guidance on each.

4. Revise your subject and current affairs

Go back over the basics of your graduation subject. Read a newspaper daily for at least a month before the interview, with attention to the economy, banking and your home state.

5. Practise with someone

Ask a friend or teacher to take a mock interview and tell you honestly how you sat, spoke and answered. Recording yourself on a phone also shows habits you are not aware of.

During the interview

  • Start well. Greet the panel, wait to be seated and smile. The first minute sets the tone.
  • Answer the question that was asked. Give the main point first, then one or two supporting details, then stop.
  • Use examples. "I organised the college blood donation camp" says more than "I have leadership qualities".
  • Be honest about what you do not know. Panels respect a candidate who admits a gap and stays composed.
  • Stay calm under pressure. Some panels push back on purpose to see how you react. Keep your tone even and your answer short.
  • Mind your language. Use the language you are most fluent in when you are given the choice, and avoid slang.

Questions you can ask the panel

When you are invited to ask something, a sensible question shows interest. You might ask about the training given to new recruits, or what a typical first year in the post looks like. Avoid questions about pay, transfers and leave at this stage.

The day before

  • Keep your documents, photographs and call letter ready in a folder.
  • Check the address and how long the journey takes.
  • Iron your clothes and polish your shoes.
  • Sleep early. A rested mind recalls more than a tired one that revised until midnight.

For behaviour in the room, read the do's and don'ts. If your first round is by phone, see the telephonic round tips.