Research the Company Thoroughly
Before the interview, spend at least one to two hours researching the company. Understand their products or services, their mission and values, recent news or announcements, their main competitors, and the industry context. Check their LinkedIn page, recent press releases, Glassdoor reviews, and their annual report if publicly available.
Interviewers notice — and appreciate — when candidates have done their homework. Referencing a recent company initiative or challenge in your answers demonstrates genuine interest and commercial awareness, which consistently ranks among the top qualities UK employers look for.
- Read the company's About page, blog, and most recent press releases
- Follow the company on LinkedIn and review their last 10 posts
- Research your interviewer on LinkedIn — knowing their background helps build rapport
- Identify the company's main competitors and understand the market landscape
47%
of candidates fail interviews due to insufficient knowledge about the company they are applying to
Source: Novoresume
Understand the Role Inside Out
Re-read the job description at least three times before the interview. Highlight the three or four most important requirements, and prepare specific examples that demonstrate each one. Map your experience to their needs.
Think about what problems this role is designed to solve, and come prepared with ideas for how you would approach your first 90 days. This shows proactive thinking and gives the interviewer confidence that you can hit the ground running.
- Highlight keywords from the job description and prepare STAR examples for each
- Think about what success looks like in this role after 6 months
- Prepare two or three questions that show you have thought deeply about the role's challenges
- Research the salary range for similar roles on Glassdoor and LinkedIn Salary
Master the STAR Method
Over 80% of UK organisations use competency-based interviewing, which means you will be asked to give examples of specific situations. The STAR method is the gold standard for structuring your answers: Situation (set the context briefly), Task (what were you responsible for?), Action (what did you specifically do?), Result (what was the outcome — ideally with numbers).
Prepare 5 to 6 STAR stories that cover the most common competency areas: leadership, teamwork, conflict resolution, problem-solving, achieving targets, and handling failure. Each story should be adaptable to different questions. Practise saying them out loud until they feel natural, not rehearsed — timing should be 60 to 90 seconds per answer.
- Prepare STAR stories for: leadership, conflict, failure, achievement, collaboration, and initiative
- Keep the Situation and Task to 20% of your answer — focus 80% on Action and Result
- Use numbers in your Result: 'reduced processing time by 30%', 'saved £15K annually'
- Practise out loud with a timer — each answer should be 60 to 90 seconds
80%+
of UK organisations train their interviewers in the STAR method — expect competency-based questions
Source: StandOut CV
Prepare for AI-Screened and Video Interviews
In 2026, AI-powered screening tools like HireVue handle initial assessments for a growing number of UK employers. These systems analyse your facial expressions, word choice, tone, and response structure. Virtual interviews have also increased by 57% since 2019, with over half of UK employers maintaining video options.
For AI interviews: maintain eye contact with the camera (not the screen), speak clearly and avoid filler words ('um', 'like', 'you know'), and structure answers using STAR — the AI rewards structured responses. For video interviews: test your technology 24 hours in advance, ensure good lighting from the front (not behind you), use a plain background, and have a backup plan if your internet fails.
- Test your audio, video, and internet speed the day before — not 5 minutes before
- Position your camera at eye level and ensure your face is well-lit from the front
- Maintain eye contact with the camera lens, not the screen, for a natural appearance
- Close all other applications and turn off notifications to avoid distractions
- Have the interviewer's phone number as backup in case of technical issues
Prepare Impressive Questions to Ask
At the end of most interviews, you will be asked 'Do you have any questions for us?' Always prepare 3 to 5 thoughtful questions. The best questions demonstrate commercial awareness and genuine interest in the role — they show you are evaluating the opportunity as seriously as the employer is evaluating you.
Avoid asking about salary, holidays, or remote working in a first interview — these are best discussed at the offer stage. Instead, ask questions that give you genuine insight into the role and team.
- 'What does success look like in this role in the first 6 months?'
- 'What are the biggest challenges the team is facing right now?'
- 'How would you describe the management style and team culture?'
- 'What opportunities are there for professional development and progression?'
- 'Is there anything about my background that gives you any reservations?'
Follow Up After the Interview
A well-crafted follow-up email sent within 24 hours can reinforce a positive impression. Keep it brief: thank the interviewer for their time, reference one specific point from your conversation that excited you, and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role.
For example: 'Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. I particularly enjoyed learning about the team's plans for [specific project discussed]. The role aligns closely with my experience in [relevant area], and I am very enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute.'
- Send a follow-up email within 24 hours of the interview
- Reference a specific topic from the conversation to show you were engaged
- Keep it to 3 to 4 sentences — concise and professional
- If you interviewed with multiple people, send individualised emails to each
Key Takeaway
The average UK job seeker goes through 5 interviews before landing a job. Treat each one as practice — even unsuccessful interviews build your confidence and refine your technique.