HR Interview Preparation Guide

Preparation is Everything

The more prepared you are, the more confident and relaxed you’ll feel on the day. Here’s how to set yourself up for success:

Do Your Research

• Know the company inside out: Take the time to understand their values, mission, and structure. Check their website, social media, press releases, and any recent news or developments.
• Get to know your interviewers: Look them up on LinkedIn. Understanding their backgrounds can help you tailor your approach and even spark meaningful conversation.

Understand the Role

• Study the job description carefully: Identify key responsibilities and match them to your skills and experience. Think about how you can add value to the position.
• Know your CV inside out: Be ready to talk through your experience with confidence. If there are any gaps in your employment history, prepare a clear and honest explanation.

Practice Makes Perfect

Rehearse answers to common interview questions out loud. By preparing in advance, you’ll feel more at ease and able to showcase your skills and personality authentically. Some key ones to prepare for include:

Understand the Interview Format

• Not all interviews are the same, so it’s important to know what to expect. Will it be an informal chat or a structured competency-based interview?
• If it’s an informal conversation, the focus will likely be on getting to know you, your experience, and your motivations. These interviews tend to be more relaxed and conversational.
• If it’s a competency-based interview, preparation is key. Competency interviews are structured to assess how your past experiences align with the key skills required for the role.

How to Prepare for a Competency-Based Interview

Review the job description carefully:

• Pay special attention to the ‘requirements’ section, as this will highlight the key competencies the employer is looking for.

Prepare real-life examples:

• These should be genuine work experiences that demonstrate your skills. Avoid hypothetical scenarios—your examples should be based on actual situations you’ve encountered

Common Pitfall to Avoid

Many candidates excel at describing the Situation and Task (painting the picture), but fall short when it comes to clearly outlining their Actions and the Result. Employers want to know exactly what you did and how your contribution made a difference, so make sure you cover all four STAR elements in your responses.

Look the Part

First impressions matter, and how you present yourself, whether in person or via video — can say a lot about you before you even begin. That said, times have changed. The days of strictly wearing a full suit are largely behind us, but professionalism is still key. The safest approach? Smart or smart casual attire, depending on the company culture. If in doubt, it’s always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.

Virtual Interviews Still Require a Professional Look

Even if your interview is online, dressing smartly is just as important. It helps you feel confident and prepared, and it shows the interviewer that you’re taking the opportunity seriously. Plus, a professional appearance ensures there are no distractions from what really matters—you and your experience!

Dressing the part isn’t just about clothes; it’s also about how you carry yourself. Confidence, good posture, and a warm, engaged attitude can make all the difference.

Don’t be late

Punctuality sets the tone for a great first impression, so make sure you plan ahead.

• For in-person interviews: Check the route in advance, factor in traffic or public transport delays, and aim to arrive at least 10 minutes early.
• For virtual interviews: Do a full tech check beforehand (more on that below), and log in a few minutes early to avoid any last-minute stress

Tech setup

For online interviews, a smooth setup can make all the difference.

• Choose a quiet, distraction-free space: Somewhere you won’t be interrupted.
• Test your internet connection:As well as your camera, and microphone well in advance. Silence notifications: (including your phone!) to stay fully focused.
• Log in a few minutes early:A chance to ensure everything is running smoothly.

The last thing you need is unnecessary tech stress, so set yourself up for success!

Non-Verbal Communication

Your body language speaks just as loudly as your words, whether in person or online.

In-person interviews:

• Greet with a smile and a firm handshake. Maintain good eye contact, sit upright, and keep an open, engaged posture.

Virtual interviews:

• The same rules apply! Look at the camera rather than the screen to create natural eye contact, and show enthusiasm through facial expressions and gestures.

Above all, be present, listen actively, and engage with your interviewer. A warm and approachable attitude goes a long way.

Ask Questions – Lots of Them!

Interviews are a two-way conversation, so don’t be afraid to ask questions of your own. In fact, it’s encouraged!

Come prepared with a few thoughtful questions that show your interest in the role, the company culture, and future opportunities. Being bold with your questions also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

Last but not least…be yourself

Authenticity is key.

Let your personality shine, stay true to your values, and remember, they’re not just assessing if you’re right for the job, you’re also deciding if the job is right for you, if you think the job and  organisation would be a good fit for you, you should say this to the interviewers and thank them for their time.

For other HR related resources such as our salary survey please see here!