Interviews don't have to be intimidating.
Simple tips and practical advice to help you prepare, feel confident and put your best foot forward.
Getting ready for Your Interview
Interviews aren't about having all the right answers. They're an opportunity for us to get to know you, learn about your experiences and understand what interests you about working at the Y.
A little preparation can go a long way in helping you feel more comfortable and confident on the day.
Before Your Interview
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Learn About the Y
Take some time to explore our website and learn about who we are, what we do and the impact we have in communities across NSW.
Understanding our purpose and values can help you connect your experiences to the role you're applying for.
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Review the Position Description
Read through the role requirements and think about examples from your own experiences that demonstrate relevant skills and strengths.
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Plan Ahead
Make sure you know:
- Where your interview will be held
- How to join if it's online
- What time it starts
- Who you'll be meeting with
Planning ahead can help reduce nerves and avoid last-minute stress.
Common Interview Questions
While every interview is different, some questions come up regularly.
Tell us about yourself.
Talk about your background, interests, studies, experiences and what attracted you to the role.
Why would you like to work at the Y?
Think about:
- The role
- The impact of the Y
- What interests you about the organisation
What are your strengths?
Share qualities that will help you succeed in the role and support them with examples.
Tell us about a challenge you've overcome.
Questions like this are often called competency-based questions because they're designed to help us understand how you've applied your skills and experiences in real situations.
The next section explains how to approach these questions confidently.
Competency Interview Tips
Many interviews at the Y include competency-based questions. These questions help us understand how you've demonstrated particular skills or behaviours in real-life situations.
The good news is that your examples don't need to come from a previous job. Examples can come from:
- School projects
- Study
- Sport
- Volunteering
- Community involvement
- Work experience placements
- Previous jobs
- Clubs and extracurricular activities
This short video explains how to approach competency-based interview questions and structure your answers effectively.
Interview Tips
- Be Yourself: We're interested in getting to know the real you.
- Share Examples: Real examples help bring your skills and strengths to life.
- Take Your Time: It's okay to pause and think before answering a question.
- Ask Questions: Interviews are a two-way conversation. It's perfectly okay to ask questions about the role, team or organisation.
- Focus on Potential: For many roles at the Y, especially entry-level opportunities, we're looking for people who are willing to learn, take initiative and contribute positively to a team.
Online Interview Tips
- Test Your Technology: Check your camera, microphone and internet connection before the interview.
- Choose a Quiet Space: Find a location with minimal distractions.
- Dress Professionally: Dress as you would for an in-person interview.
- Join Early: Aim to join a few minutes before the scheduled start time.
It's Okay to Be Nervous
Many people feel nervous before an interview.
Remember:
- You've already impressed us enough to be invited.
- We're not expecting perfection.
- We want you to succeed.
- We're interested in learning more about you.
Take a deep breath, prepare as best you can and be yourself.
Need more support?
Resume & Cover Letter Toolkit
Create an application that showcases your strengths and skills.