Preparing for a job interview

Being invited to an interview means your application was convincing. The interview is now about checking that you are the right person for the job and for the team. Good preparation often makes the difference.

Find out about the organisation

What does it do? Where does it work? What are its current projects, donors, clients? Read its website, publications and annual reports. You will then be able to explain why this job appeals to you, with them in particular.

The questions that keep coming up

• Tell us about yourself (in two minutes, from your background to the job you are applying for).
• Why this job? Why our organisation?
• Describe a difficulty you faced and how you overcame it.
• What are your strengths and areas for improvement?
• What are your salary expectations?

Telling your experience

For each example, describe the situation, what you had to do, what you did and the result. Prepare three or four such examples in advance: they work for most questions.

On the day

• Arrive ten minutes early, with several copies of your CV and degrees.
• For an online interview, test the connection and microphone the day before, and choose a quiet place.
• Prepare two or three questions about the job: they show your interest.
• Send a short thank-you message the same day.