How to prepare for a job interview — what actually matters
I've conducted thousands of interviews over the course of my career. I've also prepared hundreds of candidates for theirs. And the difference between the people who perform well and the people who don't almost never comes down to capability.
It comes down to preparation.
Here's what actually moves the needle.
Research the company properly — not just the website
Everyone reads the About page. That's table stakes.
What separates good candidates from great ones is going deeper. Read recent news about the company. Look at their social media to understand the culture and tone. Check LinkedIn to see who works there and what their backgrounds are. If it's a publicly listed company, read the most recent annual report.
What you're looking for: what does this company care about right now? What challenges are they facing? What are they proud of? The more you understand their context, the more you can speak directly to what they need — rather than giving generic answers.
Prepare your stories, not just your answers
Most interview questions are really asking for the same thing: evidence that you can do the job. The best way to provide that evidence is through specific stories from your experience.
Use the STAR method — Situation, Task, Action, Result. For each story: set the context briefly, explain what your specific role was, describe what you did, and share the outcome.
Prepare 6-8 strong stories before the interview. They should cover: a time you solved a difficult problem, a time you influenced without authority, a time something went wrong and what you did, a time you led or developed someone, a time you delivered a strong commercial outcome.
Most interview questions can be answered with one of these stories.
Know your career narrative
"Tell me about yourself" is usually the first question and the one most people answer worst.
This is not an invitation to recite your resume chronologically. It's an invitation to tell the story of why you're sitting in this interview room right now.
A good answer is 90 seconds and covers: where you've come from (briefly), what you've built and what you're known for, and why this specific role, at this specific company, right now. Make it feel like a logical next step, not a random application.
Prepare questions — real ones
"Do you have any questions for us?" is not a formality. It's an opportunity.
Candidates who ask sharp, thoughtful questions are remembered. Candidates who say "no, I think you've covered everything" are not.
Good questions: What does success look like in this role in the first 90 days? What are the biggest challenges the team is facing right now? What do people who thrive here have in common?
Avoid: questions easily answered on the website, questions about salary and benefits in a first interview, and anything that makes you sound like you're not sure you want the job.
The practical stuff matters too
Know where you're going and how long it takes. Arrive 10 minutes early. Bring a copy of your resume even if they have it. Have water nearby for a video call. Charge your laptop.
These sound obvious. You would be surprised.
One honest thing about nerves
Nerves are normal and interviewers know it. What they're watching for isn't whether you're nervous - it's whether you can manage it and still have a coherent conversation. A breath, a pause before answering, asking for a moment to think - all of these are fine. Rambling for four minutes to avoid silence is not.
The preparation is what makes the nerves manageable. When you know your stories and you've done your research, there's less to be anxious about.
Career Kit has a full interview module — including how to handle the toughest questions, how to show up with presence and confidence, and the exact scripts I use to prepare candidates I'm personally representing. careerkit.com.au.