FAQs about interviews | Application forms and interviews | Get a job | National Careers Service

Competency-based

These focus on the skills and attributes needed. You'll have to relate your skills and experience to the job in question.

Technical

These are for technical positions such as IT or engineering jobs. You will probably be asked to display your technical knowledge of a certain process or skill. They may ask you to do this by talking about your previous experience or by asking you hypothetical questions, such as "what would you do if you were working on this project?"

Face-to-face

The interviewer meets with the candidate in person.

Telephone

Some organisations use these as the first stage of screening. You may be warned in advance or contacted out of the blue. First impressions count, so you should prepare for a telephone interview just as much as you would for a face-to-face interview. Unless it takes place on a videophone, you won't need to worry about what you are wearing at the time.

Panel

This is when more than one person interviews you. Usually, one person chairs the interview and panel members take it in turns to ask you different questions. You should direct your answer mainly towards the panel member that asked the question.

Some tips:

• ask them what the salary range is for similar jobs in the company
• get an idea of what the going rate is for the job – check other job ads
• if you're asked what salary you are expecting, answer quickly and confidently - don't dither
• start high, and meet in the middle if necessary
• don't ask about salary or benefits before you’ve been offered the job.

Here are some examples:

• Can you describe a typical day?
• What training do you offer?
• Ask about something you read about in your research – such as a new product or service
• Who will I be working with?
• Who will my manager be?
• Where do I fit into the organisational structure?
• How much of my time will be spent on this task?
• How do you see the role developing?
• When will you let me know the outcome of the interview?

However, you will have to show that you have the potential to develop these missing skills. You can do this by describing times when you've:

• been given extra responsibilities
• been left in charge
• showed this skill on an informal basis, either in work or at home.

For example, if you're applying for a job as an ambulance care assistant, you know it is essential to know how to carry patients and secure them in the vehicle. You could mention how you've done this with small children or elderly relatives, so you are aware of the need for safety. You need to show that you're aware of the need for the skill, and that you're capable of developing it.

If you have no related experience, describe how you would act if you were placed in this situation. For example, if you had to deal with a difficult customer you could explain how you would approach it: stay calm, be polite and be clear on what your roles are.

Explain how you approach learning new skills, and that you are a keen and efficient learner. You may also score points if you describe how you handle tasks that don't play to your natural strengths. It would show you are willing to adapt and take on tasks that do not come that naturally to you.

But the night before the interview you shouldn't put in too much work, so try to relax. Last minute "cramming" might only stress you out.

If you were fired for misconduct or not fulfilling your responsibilities as laid out in your contract, deal with this differently. Admit to occasional failings if you can show that you've learnt from them. For instance, if you lost motivation, became lazy and got caught, describe how you intend to stay motivated in future. If you broke company policy, you could say you were going through personal or financial problems at the time, but that they have been resolved.

You should check out your referees: if it was your last boss who fired you, and you have to list the person for a reference, phone and try to clear the air. Say you understand why you were fired, but you've learned from the experience and are looking to start afresh.

Explain that you're looking for a reference as you’re looking for work. Ask what they would say about you. Ask if they would say you were fired or if they would say you resigned. Not many bosses would keep giving you a bad reference to prevent you getting new work.

Even with these questions, honesty is the best policy. But always end with a positive, and show how you learnt from a negative experience.

Such as:

• voluntary work
• courses
• keeping up with developments in your field
• treating job seeking as a full-time job
• keeping fit
• networking.

You can also say that you were being selective, and not taking the first job that came along. Stress that you were waiting for the right opportunity, such as the job being offered by the employer interviewing you.

The best reason is to say that you wanted a fresh challenge, and you wanted to fully concentrate your efforts on finding your next opportunity. Reflect positively on your time in your previous job - describe how you developed in the role and say you were grateful for the opportunity.