Best practice interview prep
You have secured the interview. Now you want to turn that chance into an offer. This guide shows you exactly how to prepare for an interview, using proven steps our team at Delve Recruitment applies every day. Follow the plan to improve your confidence, show your skills and experience, and make a strong impression from the first hello to the final handshake.
What interviewers are really looking for
Hiring managers want three things. Can you do the job, will you do the job, and will you fit the team and culture. Your preparation should help you prove all three, with clear evidence and a positive attitude.
Step 1, read the job description line by line
Start with the basics. Print the job description, read it slowly, and highlight the essential skills and experience. For each point, note one example from your work. If the role asks for stakeholder management, prepare a short example that shows who the stakeholders were, what you did, and the outcome. Doing this early makes every other step easier.
Tip, turn each bullet point into a short question. For example, “Tell me about a time you improved a process.” Build a one minute answer for each.
Step 2, research the company properly
Expect the question, “What do you know about us.” Visit the company website, look at services, products, and recent news. Check LinkedIn for updates, and read reviews where relevant. Then link what you learn to your motivation. Why this company, why this team, and why now. Employers value a clear reason for applying.
Step 3, prepare powerful examples with STAR
Use the STAR method, situation, task, action, result. Keep each story short and specific. Measure the result where you can. “Cut scrap by 11 percent,” “Saved four hours a week,” or “Closed two high value accounts.” Create a bank of five to eight stories that cover leadership, teamwork, problem solving, communication, and resilience.
Step 4, practise answers to common interview questions
You do not need a script, you need structure. Prepare a brief plan for common interview questions such as,
- Tell me about yourself
- Why do you want this role
- What are your strengths and development areas
- Describe a challenge and how you handled it
- A time you influenced someone without authority
- Your proudest achievement
- Why are you leaving your current role
Speak your answers out loud. Keep each response under two minutes unless you are invited to go deeper.
Step 5, plan smart questions for recruiters and hiring managers
Questions show interest and judgement. Prepare a short list tailored to a recruitment consultant and to the hiring manager.
Recruitment consultant questions,
- What does success look like after three and six months
- How does the interview process work from here
- Any advice on style or focus for the panel
Hiring manager questions,
- What are the immediate priorities for this role
- How does the team measure success
- Which skills or behaviours separate high performers here
- How would you describe the culture in the team
Aim for a genuine conversation. Avoid questions you could have answered by reading the website.
Step 6, get the logistics right
Plan the route and do a trial run if needed. Save the company and recruitment consultant phone numbers in your mobile. If the interview is online, test your camera, audio, and meeting link. Have a glass of water ready, and keep your CV and the job description in easy reach.
Step 7, present yourself well
Unless you are told otherwise, choose smart business wear. It is better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. Arrive ten minutes early, greet everyone with a smile, and keep your body language open. Many employers hire for attitude as much as for skills, so let your work ethic and enthusiasm come through.
Step 8, run a mock interview
Practice builds confidence. Ask a colleague, mentor, or your Delve consultant to run a mock interview. Use your common interview questions, then get feedback on clarity, pace, and impact. Record yourself on your phone, then review posture, filler words, and whether your examples land the key point.
Step 9, case interview prep and assessment tests
Some roles include case studies or technical tests. If you expect a case interview, do focused case interview prep. Read the brief, take simple notes, and structure your answer. Outline the problem, state the options, explain your recommendation, and quantify the impact. Time yourself to mirror the real format. Use short case interview practice sessions across several days rather than one long cram.
If you are asked to complete an assessment, you will receive guidance on format and timing. Where relevant, your consultant can outline the Delve Recruitment assessment test process, share practice pointers, and help you understand what good looks like. Ask early if you need adjustments or extra time.
Step 10, talk about salary the right way
If salary comes up, be clear and honest about your expectations and the basis for them. If it does not, focus the meeting on value and fit. Your consultant at Delve Recruitment will brief you on range and benefits so you do not get caught off guard.
Step 11, handle sensitive topics with balance
Never speak negatively about a previous employer. Share the facts and the lesson. For example, “The restructure changed my remit, I learned how to handle change, and now I am looking for a role that makes better use of my project experience.”
Step 12, close well and follow up
At the end, thank the interviewers and restate your interest. Summarise the value you bring in one sentence that links back to the job description. After the meeting, share any requested information promptly. Your Delve consultant will gather feedback and advise on next steps.
Remote interview checklist
- Quiet space, neutral background, good light
- Laptop on a stand at eye level, camera tested
- Headphones ready, notifications silenced
- Meeting link tested, backup phone number saved
- CV, job description, and a notepad to hand
In person interview checklist
- Route planned, arrival ten minutes early
- Smart clothing, clean shoes, tidy hair
- Printed CV and portfolio if relevant
- Names of interviewers noted and pronounced correctly
- Thoughtful questions ready
Bring your skills and experience to life
Facts get attention, outcomes win offers. Replace claims with evidence. “Improved on time delivery,” becomes “Raised on time delivery from 87 percent to 96 percent in four months by redesigning the handover process.” Keep each example tight, and link the outcome to what matters in the role you want.
Use this guide to prep recruitment interviews of all kinds
Whether your interview is competency based, conversational, or case focused, the same rules apply. Read the job description carefully, research the company, build a small library of STAR stories, practise common interview questions, and run a mock interview. Small, steady preparation beats last minute cramming every time.
Work with Delve Recruitment
At Delve Recruitment, we brief you on the interview format, help you refine your examples, and share targeted advice based on what that client values. We also collect feedback after every stage, so you know where you stand and what to improve. If you feel you are missing information at any point, ask us and we will fill the gaps.
For further information contact Louise Shorrock, Client Manager at Delve Search via LinkedIn or email.
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