Interview preparation
1. Do your research
Define why you want to work for La Trobe University and what skills and experience you bring to the specific role as outlined in the position description. Visit the careers site and follow La Trobe University on LinkedIn to keep up to date on company updates.
2. Prepare
Find out what the style of the interview is so that you can prepare. Many organisations use competency questions, based around the STAR approach (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Types of interview questions:
It’s a good idea to prepare yourself for different types of interview questions because regardless of the type of interview, you’ll most likely experience a range of questions.
Here is a brief overview:
General
These are the ‘icebreaker’ questions – they will help ease you into the interview, and they are an opportunity for the selection committee to connect with you a little more.
Example: “Tell us about your recent role and what skills you feel you can bring to this position?”
Behavioural
These questions explore your previous experiences in workplace-based situations.
Example: “An innovative approach is a key requirement of the position. Describe a time where you have solved a complex problem with an innovative solution.”
Technical
These are questions to understand the technical skills that are specific to the requirements of the role.
Example: “Do you have experience using the SAP?”
Situational
These questions place you in a hypothetical situation, where you’re given a scenario and asked how you would respond to it.
Example: “Describe how you would handle a situation where a staff member is not performing, how would you handle this?
Motivational fit
These questions are designed to explore your preferred work environment and potentially your drive and motivation.
Example: “Tell us about what motivates you at work, what leadership style do you best respond to?”
3. Practice
Review the Key Selection Criteria, this will help identify likely interview questions. Try and think of examples of when you have been able to demonstrate the competencies listed, make notes and bring these to the interview if required.
4. Dress the part/be on time
Ensure that you are dressed suitably for the environment and arrive on time – first impressions count. La Trobe Universities campus is large and complex, make sure you arrive early to allow time to find parking and walk to the meeting room.
5. Use relevant/specific examples
Think of specific situations in your career that you feel can help demonstrate that you possess the highlighted skills. Clearly explain what you did, how and why you did it and what the outcome was.
6. Highlight career achievements
What improvements have you made? What initiatives have you introduced? What have you been recognised or rewarded for? Be prepared to quantify or measure your successes.
7. Know your value proposition
Clearly articulate what your personal brand or value proposition is - where can you add value to the employer? Why should they hire you?
8. Show self-awareness/be honest
Know your strengths and weaknesses. You may refer to your recent performance review and reflect on where you’re doing well and where you have room for improvement.
9. Ask questions
Prepare some questions beforehand to ask the interviewer. We would have asked you a lot of questions by the stage, now its your turn.
Finally, remember to take a deep breath and smile everyone gets nervous in interviews. If for whatever reason this role doesn’t work out to be the right one for you, there will be other opportunities. Make sure you sign up for our job alerts , so you can be notified of other roles that might be perfect for you and ask to join our talent pool!