Prepare for your interview
and walk in ready
Most interview failures are preparation failures. The questions are predictable — what separates candidates is how specifically and confidently they answer. Practise with AI, get real feedback, and go into your interview prepared.
Free to start • AI-powered practice • Instant feedback
A complete interview preparation plan
Four stages. Around three hours total for a standard first interview. Work through them in order — skipping research to go straight to practise means your answers will be generic.
1. Research
1 hour- ✓Re-read the full job description and map your experience to each requirement
- ✓Research the company: what they do, recent news, culture, key challenges
- ✓Look up your interviewers on LinkedIn
- ✓Identify the 3–5 competencies most likely to be tested based on the job description
2. Prepare your STAR answers
1 hour- ✓Write out a STAR answer for each core competency in the role
- ✓Have a second example ready for each — interviewers often probe with "Can you give another example?"
- ✓Prepare your answer to "Tell me about yourself" — 90 seconds, covering your background and why you are here
- ✓Prepare 3–5 genuine questions to ask at the end
3. Practise out loud
30–60 minutes- ✓Say your answers aloud — silent rehearsal does not reveal filler words, pace, or awkward phrasing
- ✓Record yourself on your phone and listen back once
- ✓Use AI practice to get feedback on STAR structure and answer quality
- ✓Time your key answers — most should be 2–3 minutes, not 5
4. Logistics
15 minutes- ✓Confirm the format: in-person address, video call link, or phone
- ✓Prepare what to bring: copies of your CV, portfolio, qualifications if relevant
- ✓Plan your arrival or video setup — test audio, lighting and background
- ✓Have a glass of water, notepad, and pen ready
Practise your answers with AI feedback
Tell the AI interviewer which role you are applying for. It asks you the questions most likely to come up — and gives you specific feedback on STAR structure, answer quality, and what to improve.
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The most common interview mistakes — and how to fix them
Mistake
Generic answers that could apply to any company
Fix
Every answer about motivation, company choice, or career goals should name specifics about this employer and this role — not generic statements about wanting to grow.
Mistake
Using "we" instead of "I" in competency answers
Fix
Panels score the individual's contribution, not the team's. Say what you personally decided, did, and achieved — even if you worked in a team context.
Mistake
No measurable result in STAR answers
Fix
The Result section is the most often missing or weakest part. Quantify where possible: "the project was completed" is weak; "delivered on time, 15% under budget, with client satisfaction rated 9/10" is strong.
Mistake
Overlong answers that lose the interviewer
Fix
Most competency answers should be 2–3 minutes. If you are regularly going over 4 minutes, you are giving too much context and not enough action and result.
Mistake
Not preparing questions to ask
Fix
Candidates who ask no questions signal either a lack of curiosity or a lack of preparation. Prepare at least three genuine questions — and not just "When will I hear back?"
The STAR method — how to structure competency answers
Any question starting with "Tell me about a time..." or "Give me an example..." expects a structured answer. STAR is the framework UK interviewers use to score those answers.
Situation
10–15% of your answer
Set the context briefly. Where, when, what was the situation. Do not over-explain — the panel is waiting for the action.
Task
5–10% of your answer
What was your specific responsibility or challenge. One or two sentences — distinguish your role from the team's role.
Action
60–70% of your answer
What you personally did, decided, and said. Use "I" not "we". This is the bulk of your answer — specific steps, not generalities.
Result
15–20% of your answer
What happened as a result of your actions. Quantify where possible. Link back to the impact on the team, project, customer or organisation.
Interview preparation — frequently asked questions
Related tools and guides
→ AI interview coach — practice questions, live AI feedback, full mock interview experience.
→ Competency interview questions — the most common UK competency questions with example STAR answers.
→ STAR interview examples — full model STAR answers for common interview questions.
→ NHS interview questions — NHS-specific preparation with band questions and model answers.
→ ATS CV checker — make sure your CV is strong before your interview.
→ CV enhancement — improve your CV while you prepare for the interview.
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