Start with the role
You do not need a perfect career story to prepare well. Start with the job in front of you and the experience you already have.
- Choose three requirements from the advert. Beside each one, write a real example of how you have used that skill.
- Find out what the organisation does, who it serves and why this particular role interests you.
- Look back at your application. Be ready to explain anything you have included.
Check whether the interview includes a practical task, presentation or role play. Ask the recruitment contact about anything the invitation does not explain.
Work through common questions
These are practice prompts, not a prediction of your interview. Open a question, make a few notes and say your answer aloud.
Tell me about yourself
Choose a few relevant points: what you have been doing, a skill or experience that fits the role, and what you want to do next. You do not need to tell your whole life story.
A starting point: “I’ve been volunteering in a community shop, where I help customers and keep stock organised. I enjoy practical work with people, and I’m looking for a retail role where I can build on that experience.” Adapt this to your own circumstances.
Why do you want this job?
Name something specific about the work or employer. Connect it to a genuine interest and evidence of what you could contribute. Avoid relying only on “I’m hardworking”.
Tell me about a time you solved a problem
Choose a real, relevant problem. Explain what you noticed, what you did, why you chose that approach and what happened. A small example explained clearly can be useful.
What is a strength, and what are you working on?
For a strength, give evidence. For an area to improve, explain a real development need and what you are doing about it. Be accurate about skills and qualifications that the role requires.
Why did you leave your previous role?
Give a brief, factual explanation and describe what you are looking for now. Keep the focus on your next step and avoid speculation about other people.
Show your skills through real examples
When a question asks about a past experience, STAR can help you organise it: Situation, Task, Action and Result. Give enough context to understand the example, then explain your own choices and what you learnt. For “What would you do?” questions, explain your approach to the situation asked.
These invented practice scenarios show where evidence might come from. Use your own experience rather than presenting these stories as yours.
Retail: helping a customer
A customer cannot find an item. How did you listen, check stock, explain the options and confirm whether the solution helped? This can show communication and problem solving.
Hospitality: a busy shift
Several orders need attention. How did you agree priorities with colleagues, keep people informed and check accuracy? Explain your contribution to the team.
Care: listening and responding
Someone needs an explanation presented differently. How did you adapt your communication, check understanding and seek help within your responsibilities? Keep identifying details private.
Administration: checking information
You spot inconsistent entries in a booking list. How did you verify the information, correct it through the appropriate process and prevent further confusion?
No paid work experience yet?
Think about a college project, volunteering, caring responsibilities or organising a community activity. Name the context honestly, explain what you did and connect the skill to the vacancy. Do not imply that informal experience is a professional qualification.
Try it: choose one requirement from your advert, one example from your life and one result you can explain. Use the interview worksheet to build your answer.
Explain gaps and changes in direction
You can prepare a short explanation without sharing your entire personal history. State what you are comfortable saying, then bring the conversation back to your interest and suitability for the role.
A possible structure: “I took time away from paid work for [a brief, accurate reason]. I’m now looking for [type of work]. My experience of [relevant activity or previous role] helped me develop [skill], which I could use here.”
Only include a claim if it is true. You do not have to turn every period away from work into an achievement. If changing sectors, explain what transfers and what you still need to learn.
Give yourself space to think
If an interview feels unfamiliar, practise one answer at a time with someone you trust. Ask them what was clear and where they wanted more detail. Aim to explain your experience in your own words.
During a conversation, you can pause before replying or ask for a question to be repeated. If you lose your thread, try: “Could I take a moment to think about the best example?”
If you need an adjustment to take part, contact the recruiter in advance to discuss what would help and how to arrange it. You can also explore our wellbeing exercises if you would like a short break before practising.
Prepare for the interview format
In person
Check the location, travel time, arrival instructions and anything you need to bring. Keep the recruitment contact details handy.
Phone
Choose a suitable place if possible, charge your phone and check the agreed number and time. Practise explaining an example without visual cues.
Live video
Test the platform, sound and camera beforehand. Agree how to reconnect if the call fails. Follow the employer’s instructions about notes and other tools.
Recorded answers
Read the instructions about preparation time, answer limits and retakes. Use any practice facility before starting the assessed questions.
Rehearse, then try again
Choose a question and answer aloud. Then ask yourself: did I answer it, explain my own contribution and give a clear example? Try again with one improvement.
What interests you about this job, and what could you bring to it?
Question 1 of 8
Write and practise your answer
Have a question for the employer
You might ask: “What would you want the person in this role to focus on first?” or “What training is available for someone joining the team?” Choose something you actually want to know.
Afterwards
Write down a question you found difficult and one thing you explained well. If feedback is available, use it to choose what to practise next.
Further guidance
Preparation and format advice checked against the National Careers Service interview guide and its video interview guidance on 18 October 2026. The examples and practice prompts on this page are written by Get Quantum.