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How to prepare for an interview as a student

Whether it is for a part-time job, an internship, a scholarship or a college program, an interview is a conversation to see whether you are a good fit. Preparation turns nerves into confidence.

Before the interview

• Research the organization: what it does, who it serves, and why you want to be part of it.
• Reread the job or program description and note the two or three qualities they seem to value most.
• Prepare three short stories from school, activities, volunteering or work that show those qualities.
• Plan the logistics: time, place or video link, how long it takes to get there, and who you will meet.
• Prepare clothes the night before. Dress one step more formal than the everyday dress of the workplace.

Common questions to practise

• 'Tell me about yourself.' Give a one-minute answer: what you study, one or two things you care about, and why you are interested in this role.
• 'Why do you want this job or opportunity?'
• 'Tell me about a time you worked on a team.'
• 'Tell me about a challenge you faced and how you handled it.'
• 'What is your availability?' Know your schedule exactly.
• 'What are your strengths and an area you are working on?' Choose a real area and explain what you are doing about it.

Use the STAR method for story questions

When asked 'Tell me about a time when...', structure your answer in four parts: Situation (the background), Task (what you needed to do), Action (what you did), and Result (what happened and what you learned). Keep it under two minutes. Practise out loud with a parent, friend or teacher; saying answers aloud is very different from thinking them.

During the interview

Arrive or log in ten minutes early. Greet everyone politely, make eye contact, and listen to the whole question before answering. It is fine to pause and think. If you do not know something, say so honestly and explain how you would find out. For video interviews, test your camera and sound, choose a quiet spot with light on your face, and close other apps.

Questions to ask them

Always have two or three questions ready. Good ones include:

• 'What does a typical day look like in this role?'
• 'What do successful people in this role do well?'
• 'What are the next steps in the process?'

After the interview

Send a short thank-you email within a day. Mention something specific from the conversation and restate your interest. Whatever the result, note what went well and what you would change. Every interview is practice for the next one.

Different kinds of interviews

Whatever the type, being genuine and well prepared matters more than giving a perfect answer.

• Part-time jobs: often short and focused on availability, reliability and how you treat customers. Show that you are dependable and eager to learn.
• Internships: expect questions about your interest in the field and examples from classes or projects.
• Scholarships: interviewers want to understand your goals and character. Be ready to talk about why the scholarship matters to you and what you would do with the opportunity.
• College or program interviews: usually a friendly conversation about your interests and why you are drawn to that school.

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