Acing Your First Job Interview

Getting the interview means your CV worked. They already believe you might be right for the job. Now they want to meet the person behind it. The candidates who succeed aren't always the most experienced; they're the ones who prepared. Here's how to be one of them.

Before the interview

Research the company

Spend 30 minutes on the company's website. Understand what they do, who their customers are, and any recent news. When you can naturally mention something specific about them, you stand out immediately, it shows genuine interest, not a scatter-gun application.

Know your own CV cold

They will ask about things on your CV. Be ready to talk about every job, qualification and gap. Never put anything on your CV you can't confidently back up in person.

Prepare for the common questions

You can predict most of what you'll be asked. Prepare honest, specific answers for:

• "Tell me about yourself." (Your professional story, about two minutes.)
• "Why do you want this job?"
• "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
• "Tell me about a time you faced a challenge and how you handled it."
• "Where do you see yourself in a few years?"
• "Why should we hire you?"

Master the STAR method

For any "tell me about a time…" question, don't ramble. Use STAR:

• S = Situation: briefly set the scene.
• T = Task: what you needed to do.
• A = Action: what you actually did.
• R = Result: how it turned out, with a number if you can.

Sort out the practical things

• Know the exact time, place, and format (in person, phone, or online)
• Plan your route so you arrive 10 to 15 minutes early
• For an online interview, test your internet, camera and a quiet space beforehand
• Prepare copies of your CV, ID and certificates in case they're asked for
• Choose neat, clean, professional clothing the night before

During the interview

• Greet with a smile and a firm handshake (or a clear, friendly hello online). First impressions form in seconds.
• Listen fully before answering. It's fine to pause and think. A considered answer beats a rushed one.
• Be honest. If you don't know something, say so and show willingness to learn. Bluffing usually shows.
• Stay positive: never badmouth a past employer, teacher or colleague.
• Show enthusiasm. Employers hire people who genuinely want to be there.

Online and phone interviews

More first interviews happen by video or phone. Treat them as seriously as in person: sit somewhere quiet and well-lit, dress the same as you would in person, look at the camera rather than the screen, and have your CV and a notepad nearby. Test the link or call setup in advance, and have a backup (a phone number to call) in case the connection fails.

Ask your own questions

At the end, they'll ask if you have questions. Always have one or two ready. It shows you're serious. Good ones:

• "What does success look like in this role in the first six months?"
• "What are the biggest challenges the team is facing right now?"
• "What are the next steps in the process?"

After the interview

Send a short, polite thank-you email within a day, mentioning something specific you discussed. It's a small touch many candidates skip, and it keeps you memorable. If you don't hear back by the date they mentioned, a brief, courteous follow-up is completely acceptable.

If it doesn't go your way: ask for feedback, learn from it, and remember every interview makes you better at the next one. Rejection isn't the end, it's practice.

Questions people ask

This guide is written by OnboardingSA to help South African job seekers. Rules and forms change, so always follow the official advert and the employer's own instructions. Browse current jobs →