Career and employment help

Here are some practical tips to help you answer interview questions effectively, especially in an Australian context:

1. Understand the Question Type

Interview questions often fall into categories such as:

• Behavioural (e.g. “Tell me about a time you handled a difficult situation”)
• Situational (e.g. “What would you do if a patron was being disruptive?”)
• Technical/Role-specific (e.g. “How do you manage cataloguing in your library system?”)
• General (e.g. “Tell us about yourself”)

2. Use the STAR Method for Behavioural Questions

Structure your answers using:

• Situation – What was the context?
• Task – What was your responsibility?
• Action – What did you do?
• Result – What was the outcome?

Example:
"In my previous role, a student was struggling to find resources for a research project (Situation). I was responsible for assisting with research support (Task). I guided them through our digital catalogue and showed them how to use academic databases (Action). They successfully completed their project and later thanked me for the support (Result)."

3. Be Clear and Concise

Avoid rambling. Aim for answers that are:

• Relevant to the question
• Structured logically
• Brief but informative (1–2 minutes per answer is ideal)

4. Tailor Your Answers to the Role

• Refer to the position description and selection criteria.
• Highlight how your experience and skills match the job.
• Use keywords from the job ad where appropriate.

5. Show Enthusiasm and Professionalism

• Speak positively about past roles and colleagues.
• Demonstrate genuine interest in the organisation and role.
• Maintain good posture, eye contact, and a calm tone.

6. Prepare for Common Questions

Some frequently asked questions include:

• “Why do you want this role?”
• “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
• “How do you handle stress or conflict?”
• “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

7. Ask Thoughtful Questions

At the end of the interview, you might be invited to ask questions. Consider:

• “What does success look like in this role?”
• “What are the team’s current priorities?”
• “How is performance typically evaluated?”