Interview preparation
Three real examples beat an hour of rehearsed answers
Build examples from things you actually did, in the shape UK interviewers listen for: the situation, what you did, and what changed because of it. Nothing here invents experience for you.
Your examples
0 of 3 recommendedNothing saved yet. Start with a problem you solved — it covers most questions.
What UK interviewers are listening for
Specific beats impressive
UK panels look for one real situation with numbers and dates, not a general description of your abilities.
Say 'I', not 'we'
Describe what you personally did. Team language hides your contribution and scores badly against the criteria.
Answer the question asked
Take a breath, answer in about two minutes, then stop. Silence after a complete answer is normal here.
Gaps are allowed
If you have not done something, say so and describe the closest thing you have done. Do not invent experience.
Ask one real question
Ask how success is measured in the first three months. It shows you are thinking about doing the job well.
Before the day
- Confirm the format in writing: in person, phone or video, and how long it will run.
- Check who you will meet and what they do.
- Plan the journey or test the video link the day before, not on the day.
- Have your right-to-work proof and any certificates ready if asked.
- Write down two or three questions and take them in with you — that is normal here.
If travel, childcare or hours make an interview slot impossible, record it in constraints and ask for a different time — that request is normal and usually accepted.
The STAR method
The National Careers Service recommends STAR for structuring answers to competency questions ("Tell me about a time when…"). The form above covers it: write the Situation and Task under "What was happening?", your Action under "What did you personally do?", and the Result under "What changed?".
SSituation
Set the scene in one or two sentences: where you were and what was happening.
TTask
What you were responsible for, or what needed to be achieved.
AAction
What you personally did, step by step. This should be the longest part. Say 'I'.
RResult
What happened because of your action, and what you learned.
Example: Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult customer.
- Situation:
- At the mobile phone shop where I worked before moving to the UK, a customer came in angry because his repaired phone had stopped working again.
- Task:
- I was the senior sales assistant on shift, so it was my job to resolve it and keep him as a customer.
- Action:
- I listened without interrupting, apologised for the inconvenience, and checked the repair record. I saw the same fault had been reported, so I arranged a priority re-repair and lent him a spare phone while he waited.
- Result:
- He left calmer and came back to collect the phone. My manager then asked me to start checking repeat repairs before handover.
An illustration of the structure only. Use your own real experience — from work, volunteering, study or home.
Sample interview questions
About you
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why do you want this job?
- Why do you want to work for us?
- What are your strengths, and an area you are improving?
Competency (use STAR)
- Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team.
- Describe a time you solved a problem at work.
- Give an example of when you had to meet a tight deadline.
- Tell me about a time you made a mistake. What did you do?
Customer and values
- How would you deal with an unhappy customer or service user?
- What does good customer service mean to you?
- Tell me about a time you had to follow a rule or procedure you disagreed with.
Practical
- When could you start?
- Are you able to work the hours in the advert?
- Can you provide evidence of your right to work in the UK?
- Do you have any questions for us?
Preparation exercises
- 1
Match examples to the advert
Copy the essential criteria from the job advert. Next to each, write which real experience proves it. Any criterion without an example is your preparation gap.
- 2
Write three STAR stories
Use the form on this page to save three examples: a problem you solved, working with others, and handling pressure. Most competency questions can be answered with one of them.
- 3
Say it out loud — 2 minutes each
Answer each sample question aloud and time yourself. Aim for about two minutes. Recording yourself on your phone helps you hear filler words.
- 4
Prepare your 'tell me about yourself'
Three parts: what you do now (or did), the experience most relevant to this job, and why you want this role. Keep it under 90 seconds.
- 5
Write two questions to ask
For example: 'How is success measured in the first three months?' and 'What training do new starters get?'
- 6
Practise a video call
If the interview is online, test the link, camera and sound the day before, and practise looking at the camera when you speak.
Next step
Update your application tracker
Move the role to Interview and set the interview date as your next step.
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