An interview is a way for employers to find out more about you and how you can do the job. It’s also your chance to find out more about the employer. Our tips for before, during and after the interview can help you make the most of the experience.

Before the interview

To help you feel prepared there are a few things you can do before the interview. Here are few tips:

Do your research

Find out as much as you can about the employer and the tasks of the job. This helps you think about questions to ask and shows the employer you are interested.

Practise interview questions

Prepare answers to possible interview questions. What skills and experience does the job ask for? How do you meet those? You can ask a friend or family member to practise interviewing you.

Also think about what you would like to know about the job, the workplace and the work arrangements.

You can go to Talking about your disability at an interview and What employers can ask at an interview for more advice.

Think about your needs

If your disability could affect how you perform parts of the job, think about changes or support you might need. For example, will you need changes to your work area, or flexible working hours? You might want to be ready to raise this at the interview. Visit Talking about your disability at an interview for more information.

Plan ahead

If the interview is in person, plan how you will get there. Do a practice run and allow extra time for possible traffic and transport delays. Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early so you can gather your thoughts before the interview.

If the interview is online, make sure you have the app or software set up on your computer and know the basics of how to use it.

At the interview

It is good to think of an interview like a conversation. Remember that you and the employer are both there to get to know each other better. Here are a few tips for the day of the interview.

Make a good first impression

Your interview might be with just one person or with several people at the same time. Introduce yourself to everyone before the interview starts.

An interview starts from the first moment of contact. Be aware of what you’re saying during the ‘small talk’ before the interview questions begin.

Don’t worry about being nervous

Remember that it is normal to be nervous and employers will expect that. You may even choose to tell the employer how you feel. This can help calm you down. Some employers may also see it as a sign that you care about getting the job.

Handle tricky questions

If you can’t think of an answer to a question straight away, don’t worry. Take a moment to think about it. This shows you think things through and don’t panic under pressure.

If you are not sure how to answer a question, ask the interviewer to explain or clarify it. This shows that you’re not afraid to ask questions to get things right. You can also ask to come back to the question later.

Be confident in your responses. Avoid saying ‘I might…’ or ‘I guess…’.  You can start your sentences with:

• ‘I can…’
• ‘I will…’
• ‘I know…’

End well

When the interview is over, thank the interviewers for their time.

Explaining gaps in your work history

It is not unusual for people with disability to have periods of time when they were not employed. If you have gaps in your work history, you can explain these in a number of ways. For example:

• if you couldn’t work because of your disability, be honest, but make it clear that you are able and eager to work now
• mention any study, volunteer work or other activities you did during those times
• describe your future career goals and how the job fits into this path.

Questions to ask in an interview

Your chance to ask questions will most likely come at the end of the interview. By asking questions, you can learn what the workplace is like and how they value their people.

Here are a few examples of questions you might ask:

• Can you tell me more about what a typical work day looks like?
• What qualities does a person need to do well in this role?   
• Can you tell me more about the team and the people I might work with?
• What are your most important values?
• How important is diversity to you as an organisation?
• What are you doing as an organisation to make everyone feel included?

You might also ask for more information about the salary near the end of the interview. Or you can wait to talk about pay when the employer offers you the job.

After the interview

Don’t be too negative about how you performed in the interview. Each interview you have builds confidence and gives you a chance to improve.

Keep notes

After each interview, make some notes about what happened. Think about what went well and what you could do better next time.

Be patient and follow up

Employers might take a few days or a few weeks to work out who they want for a job. If the employer doesn’t contact you in the time you expected, you might want to call or send a short email to check if there is an update.

Ask for feedback

If you don’t get the job, ask the person from the organisation for feedback. Ask if there were particular reasons why you didn’t get the job. This can help you prepare for future interviews. And remember, if you miss out on one job, that employer may still think of you for a different position.

Tip: As you attend more interviews, it’s a good idea to keep a list of the organisations you have been to. Make sure you have a contact name for each one. You may wish to contact them again in the future.