Interviews and assessment centres

Getting to interview means an employer has seen something promising in your application. Now they want to meet you, understand how you think and see whether you would work well in their team. For larger graduate programs, the final stage is often an assessment centre, where you complete several activities in one session, sometimes alongside other candidates.

Both can feel nerve-racking, but preparation helps enormously. This guide explains common interview formats and questions, what to expect at an assessment centre and how to finish the process well.

Common interview formats

• One-to-one interview: a conversation with a single interviewer, often the hiring manager.
• Panel interview: two or more interviewers, common in government and larger organisations. Make eye contact with everyone, not just the person who asked the question.
• Phone or video interview: increasingly common for first-round interviews.
• Technical interview: for some roles, you may solve problems, write code, interpret data or discuss technical concepts.
• Case interview: common in consulting and some business roles, where you work through a business problem aloud.

Types of question

Motivational questions

"Why do you want this role?" "Why our organisation?" "Where do you see yourself in a few years?" Show you have researched the organisation and connect its work to your interests and goals. Be specific.

Behavioural questions

"Tell me about a time when..." These ask for real examples of how you have handled situations, such as teamwork, conflict, problem-solving, pressure, mistakes or leadership. Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) and focus on what you did. Your example bank is invaluable here.

Situational questions

"What would you do if..." These present a hypothetical scenario. Think aloud, explain your reasoning and consider the people involved. There may be more than one reasonable answer.

Technical and knowledge questions

These test your understanding of your field. Revise core concepts from your study, especially those relevant to the role. If you don't know an answer, it's better to say so and explain how you would find out than to bluff.

Questions about you

"Tell me about yourself" is a common opener. Prepare a brief answer, around a minute, covering your study, relevant experience and why you're interested in this role. Keep it professional and focused.

Preparing for an interview

1. Research the organisation. Read its website, recent news and annual report. Understand what it does, who its customers or clients are, and its values.
2. Study the role. Reread the listing and your application. Identify the key skills they want and match examples to each.
3. Practise aloud. Answer common questions out loud, ideally with a friend or careers adviser. Many careers services offer practice interviews.
4. Prepare questions. Have two or three thoughtful questions ready.
5. Plan logistics. Confirm the time, place or link, who you will meet and what to bring. Plan your route and aim to arrive a little early.

During the interview

• Greet everyone politely and thank them for their time.
• Listen to each question carefully. It's fine to pause before answering or to ask for clarification.
• Keep answers focused, usually a couple of minutes for behavioural questions.
• Be honest about your experience and enthusiastic about the role.
• Show positive body language: sit upright, make eye contact and smile.
• At the end, ask your questions and confirm next steps.

Assessment centres

An assessment centre combines several activities, often in a half or full day, in person or online. Common elements include:

Group exercises

You work with other candidates on a task, such as solving a problem, ranking options or planning a project. Assessors watch how you contribute, listen, build on others' ideas, manage time and help the group reach a decision. You don't need to dominate; quality of contribution matters more than volume. Bring quieter members in, keep track of time and summarise progress.

Case studies and in-tray exercises

You may receive information about a business scenario and be asked to analyse it, make recommendations or prioritise tasks, sometimes under time pressure. Read carefully, identify the key issues, make reasonable assumptions and explain your reasoning.

Presentations

You might be asked to prepare a short presentation in advance or on the day. Keep it clear and structured: an introduction, a few key points and a conclusion. Stick to the time limit and practise beforehand. Be ready for questions.

Interviews

Many assessment centres include one or more interviews, often with senior staff.

Informal sessions

Lunch, coffee breaks and networking sessions may seem informal, but assume you are always being observed. Be friendly and courteous to everyone, including other candidates and reception staff.

Handling nerves

Nerves are normal and often show that you care. Prepare well, get a good night's sleep, eat beforehand and arrive early. Slow your breathing if you feel anxious. Remember that interviewers want you to do well; they're hoping to find the right person.

Adjustments

If you need adjustments for an interview or assessment centre, such as an accessible venue, extra time or a different format, ask the employer in advance. You choose what you disclose.

After the interview

Send a short thank-you email if you wish. Make notes about the questions you were asked and how you answered, which helps for future interviews. If you haven't heard back by the expected date, a polite follow-up email is fine.

If you're unsuccessful, ask whether feedback is available. Use it constructively. Every interview builds experience, and many people go through several before receiving an offer.

If you receive an offer

Congratulations! Before accepting, read our guide on understanding your job offer. It's reasonable to ask for a short time to consider and to ask questions about anything that's unclear.

Preparing your example bank for interviews

Before any interview, list the skills the role requires and match at least one example to each. Common themes include teamwork, problem-solving, communication, handling pressure, learning from mistakes, leadership, initiative and dealing with difficult people. Write a few dot points for each example using the STAR structure, then practise telling them aloud until they feel natural rather than memorised. Having a range of examples means you can choose the most relevant one for each question and avoid repeating the same story.

Be ready, too, for questions about weaknesses or mistakes. Choose a genuine example, explain briefly what happened and focus on what you learned and how you have improved. Interviewers are looking for self-awareness and a willingness to grow, not perfection.

Interviewing online from home

If your interview is online, treat your setup as part of your preparation. Test the platform in advance, choose a quiet space with a plain background and good lighting, and keep your phone nearby but silent in case you need to rejoin by phone.

Key points

• Research the organisation and role, and practise answers aloud.
• Use the STAR method for behavioural questions, focusing on your own actions.
• In group exercises, contribute thoughtfully, listen and help the group succeed.
• Be courteous to everyone; informal moments count too.
• Ask for feedback after unsuccessful interviews and keep improving.