Practise the real questions for a first job, a bursary or university place, a graduate role or a funding pitch. See how to answer each one, run a timed mock interview, build your best stories with the STAR method, and print your prep sheet. It all works on your phone, and your notes stay on your phone.
Practise out loud. It is the best preparation there is.
1. Tell us about your interview
Pick the one that fits you best. The questions, tips and the questions to ask them change to match.
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How to prepare in 5 steps
Understand what they want. Read the advert or programme details and highlight the skills and qualities they ask for. Your answers must show those things.
Research them. Visit their website and social media. Know what they do, who they serve and one recent thing about them.
Prepare 3 stories. Real examples from school, work, sport, church or home, written with the STAR method. One story can answer many questions. Use the story builder below.
Practise out loud. Use the mock interview below, a mirror or a friend. Reading the answer in your head is not the same as saying it.
Sort the day itself. Route, clothes, documents, questions to ask. The checklist below does this for you.
2. Question bank
Tap a question to see why they ask it, how to answer, and an example. Examples are for ideas only. Always use your own true story, because interviewers can tell.
3. Mock interview
Answer out loud, as if it were the real thing. When you finish each question, rate yourself honestly. Nothing is recorded or sent anywhere.
4. My stories
Great answers are built from real stories. Write your introduction first, then 3 or more STAR stories. They are saved on this phone only.
Your 60-second introduction
Answers "Tell me about yourself". Present, past, future.
STAR story builder
Situation, Task, Action, Result. Spend most of your time on Action and Result.
How it will sound
Fill in the boxes above and your story appears here.
5. Checklist and questions to ask
Tick things off as you do them. Your ticks are saved on this phone.
Questions to ask them
Tick two or three to take with you. They go on your prep sheet.
A thank-you message you can send
Choose "Save as PDF" in the print window to keep it on your phone.
6. Tough situations
Short, honest ways to handle the moments people fear most.
You have no work experienceTough situation
Everyone starts somewhere. Talk about what you have done: school projects, sport, volunteering, helping at home, a church or community role, learning online. Say what those taught you (being on time, following instructions, working with people) and that you learn quickly. Show you are ready to be trained.
You have been unemployed for a long timeTough situation
A gap is common and not a crime. Say it plainly in one sentence, then talk about what you did: looking for work, a course, volunteering, helping your family, learning a skill. Then move forward: "I am now ready to start, and here is what I can do." Do not criticise past employers or the job market.
You do not know the answerTough situation
Take a breath. It is fine to say, "Can I take a moment to think?" If you really do not know, be honest: "I have not done that before, but this is how I would find out and learn it." Do not make something up. Honesty and a willingness to learn beat a confident wrong answer.
You are very nervousTough situation
Nerves are normal and interviewers expect them.
Practise out loud many times. Familiar words come easier under stress.
Breathe slowly before you go in and before each answer.
Slow down. Most nervous people speak too fast.
If you lose your thread, pause and say, "Let me start that again."
They ask something that feels unfair or privateYour rights
Questions about things like pregnancy plans, marital status, religion, political views or health that have nothing to do with the work can be a sign of unfair discrimination, which South Africa's Employment Equity Act prohibits. You can politely steer back: "I would like to focus on my skills for this role. Here is what I can bring." If you feel unsafe at any point, leave. Your safety comes first.
Scam alert. A real employer, bursary or funder never asks you to pay to be interviewed, to get the job, for a uniform before you are hired, or for training placement. Be careful with interviews only on WhatsApp, with someone who will not tell you the company's name or address, or who asks for your bank PIN or banking password. Meet in a public, official place, tell someone where you are going, and check the company on its official website.