Before your interview: set yourself up to succeed
You start making an impression long before you walk into the room or join an online call. A little planning
helps you feel prepared rather than rushed, which most Irish employers will notice.
Understand the role and organisation
- Read the job description and highlight the main skills and outcomes they are hiring for.
- Look at the organisation website and any recent news or projects in Ireland.
- Check their values, who they serve, and how they talk about culture and service.
- Choose two or three honest reasons why this role and organisation interest you.
Prepare examples you can reuse
Many Irish employers, especially in the public sector and larger companies, use competency style
questions such as “Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult customer”.
- Pick examples that show communication, teamwork, and problem solving.
- Whenever you can, include a simple result such as saving time, reducing errors, or keeping a customer.
- Write down a few short notes so you can remember key details.
- Practise saying them out loud so they sound natural, not memorised.
Use the STAR method to shape your answers
Situation
Set the scene in one or two short sentences.
Task
Explain what you needed to achieve or fix.
Action
Describe what you did, step by step, focusing on your part.
Result
Share what happened and, if possible, include a clear outcome such as time saved or problems reduced.
Plan your route and timing
- Confirm the interview time, date, and address or video link.
- Check your route and allow extra time for traffic or public transport delays.
- Aim to arrive ten to fifteen minutes early, not much earlier.
- For online interviews, test your internet, camera, and sound in advance.
Choose what to wear
- Pick clean, tidy clothes that suit the role and company style rather than a very formal suit for every role.
- Make sure your outfit is comfortable so you are not distracted.
- Keep jewellery simple and avoid very strong perfume or aftershave.
- Check everything the day before so you are not rushing in the morning.
Think like the employer: link your answers to their goals
Strong candidates in Ireland do more than list tasks. They show how their work supports the organisation’s
customers, targets, and culture.
Spot what matters most to them
- Look for repeated words in the job description such as “service”, “compliance”, “growth”, or “teamwork”.
- Check if they talk more about customers, clients, students, patients, or community.
- Notice any clear priorities such as reducing waiting times, keeping accurate records, or supporting vulnerable people.
Connect your examples to those priorities
Instead of “I answered phones”, try “I answered around forty calls a day and made sure each caller
received clear information, which reduced repeat calls”.
- Explain who benefited from your work, not only what you did.
- Use simple numbers where you can, for example “ten reports a week” or “serving up to fifty customers a day”.
- End answers with a short link such as “which is similar to what you described in this role”.
Career Centre tip:
If you are unsure how to match your experience to an employer’s needs, our Career Centre team can help you
read the job description and shape your examples around their priorities.
The first few minutes: body language and presence
Interviewers often form a first impression within seconds. You can use this time to show calm confidence,
even if you feel nervous inside.
Your greeting
- Stand up straight, smile, and make clear eye contact.
- Offer a firm but relaxed handshake if it feels appropriate.
- Use the interviewer name if you know it, for example “Nice to meet you, Aidan”.
- If offered water or tea, it is fine to accept and take a small sip when you need a moment to think.
Your body language and tone
- Sit with shoulders relaxed and hands where they can be seen.
- Avoid folding your arms tightly or hiding your hands.
- Speak clearly and slightly slower if you tend to rush.
- Take a breath before answering longer questions.
Good to know:
You do not need to sit perfectly still. Natural movement is fine. Aim to look open and interested rather
than tense or closed off.
Answering interview questions with confidence
You cannot predict every question, but you can build habits that help you respond clearly without feeling
like you need to give a speech.
Listen all the way through
- Let the interviewer finish before you start to answer.
- If there are several parts, repeat the key words back to them.
- Ask for clarification if you are not sure what they mean.
- Take a short pause to think before you answer.
Use simple structure
For many questions, a three step structure works well.
- Give a short direct answer.
- Add a brief STAR example.
- Link back to how this helps in the role or team.
For example: “Yes, I am comfortable working to deadlines. In my last role I prepared weekly reports for
management. By planning my time, I reduced late reports and helped my manager share figures on time each
week.”
Be honest about gaps
You might be asked about a system or task you have not done before. It is better to be truthful and show
that you can learn.
“I have not used that exact system, but I have used something similar and I pick up new software
quickly. I am happy to train and practise until I am confident.”
Talk about yourself without putting yourself down
- Swap “I am just a receptionist” for “I work as a receptionist and I handle bookings and enquiries for a busy team”.
- Swap “I only have retail experience” for “My retail experience has given me strong customer service and cash handling skills”.
- When you mention a weakness, add one step you are taking to improve it.
Showing enthusiasm and asking the right questions
Interviewers are not only checking your skills. They want to know if you are genuinely interested, likely to
stay, and a good fit for the way they work.
Show real interest in their work
- Use simple phrases such as “I enjoyed hearing more about your customer projects”.
- Link their projects to your experience or goals, for example “I like that you focus on community services”.
- Explain briefly why this role feels like a good next step in your career or study journey.
Ask thoughtful questions
Prepare two or three questions to ask at the end.
- “What does success look like in this role in the first six months?”
- “How would you describe the team culture?”
- “What are the next steps in the hiring process?”
- “Are there training or development opportunities in this role?”
Try to avoid questions that only focus on holidays or pay in the first interview, unless the employer
brings these up.
Next step tip:
After the interview, a short thank you email helps you stay professional and keeps your name in front of
the employer. You can read our companion guide “Things to do after your interview” for wording and
templates.
Making a good impression in online interviews
Many interviews in Ireland now happen on video. The same principles apply, with a few extra points to look
after.
Set up your space
- Choose a quiet, tidy space with light on your face, not behind you.
- Check what is visible in the background and remove distractions.
- Keep your phone on silent and close other programmes or browser tabs.
- Have a copy of your CV, the job description, and your notes nearby.
Connect with the interviewer
- Join the call a few minutes early so you are not rushed.
- Look at the camera from time to time when speaking so it feels like eye contact.
- Use the interviewer name and smile when you greet them.
- Stay calm if there are technical issues and ask them to repeat if needed.
Public sector, private sector, and different interview formats
The core skills are similar across Ireland, but interview styles can differ. Knowing this can help you tune
your preparation.
Public sector and competency based interviews
- Public sector roles and some large organisations often use set competencies and scoring sheets.
- You may see headings such as “Teamwork”, “Communication”, or “Planning and organising”.
- Each answer is usually scored, so clear STAR examples are very important.
- Read any candidate information pack carefully and match your examples to each competency.
Group interviews, tasks, and assessment centres
- Some employers use group discussions, role plays, or written tasks.
- In group tasks, show that you can listen, include others, and keep the group on track, rather than trying to take over.
- In written or practical tasks, focus on following instructions and working steadily.
- If you are unsure what format to expect, it is fine to ask when you receive the invitation.
Whatever the format, employers in Ireland are usually looking for people who are reliable, respectful,
willing to learn, and able to work well with others.
Your digital professional profile
Today, some employers will look at your name online as part of building a picture of you. You do not need a
perfect online brand, but a few checks can help you feel confident about what they might see.
Check what appears under your name
- Search your own name and see what appears on the first page of results.
- Review any public social media profiles and remove anything you would not want an employer to see.
- Make sure your LinkedIn headline and photo, if you use it, look professional.
- Check that your email address and voicemail message sound appropriate.
Use LinkedIn and follow up wisely
- Keep your LinkedIn profile consistent with your CV, especially job titles and dates.
- After an interview, you can connect with the interviewer if it felt natural and the sector usually does this.
- If you send a LinkedIn message, keep it short and similar in tone to an email thank you note.
- Avoid sending repeated messages across different platforms at the same time.
Handling nerves and tricky moments
Almost everyone feels nervous before an interview. The aim is not to remove nerves completely but to keep
them at a level where you can still think clearly.
Simple ways to manage nerves
- Take a short walk or stretch before you go in or join the call.
- Use slow breathing, for example breathe in for four counts and out for six.
- Remind yourself of a conversation or interview that went well.
- Focus on one question at a time rather than the whole meeting.
If you get stuck on a question
- Say “That is a good question, let me think for a moment”.
- Ask “Would you like an example from my current role or from study?” if that helps.
- If you really cannot answer, explain how you would approach the situation instead.
- Remember that one difficult question does not decide the whole interview.
Quick checklist for the day before your interview
Use this checklist to stay calm and organised. Small steps like these can make it much easier to show your
best side on the day.
- I know the main skills, duties, and outcomes in the job description.
- I have prepared a few STAR examples with clear results from work, study, or volunteering.
- I have checked the route or video link and planned my timing.
- My outfit is clean, tidy, and ready for the morning.
- I have read about the organisation and picked two or three reasons I want to work there.
- I have two or three questions to ask the interviewer.
- I have quickly checked my online profiles and email address for professionalism.
- I know I will send a short thank you email within one day of the interview.
Need support with your next interview?
You do not have to work this out alone. Our Career Centre team in Ireland can help you prepare for
interviews, review your CV, and practise common questions so you feel more confident on the day.
This guide offers general information. It is not legal or financial advice. For questions about contracts,
employment rights, or your specific situation, please speak with the employer, a union, or another
professional adviser.
Interview questions and answers
How early should I arrive for an interview?
Aim to arrive about ten to fifteen minutes before your interview time. This shows that you are punctual
without putting pressure on the employer if you arrive very early.
What should I wear to an interview in Ireland?
Choose clean, tidy clothes that are slightly more formal than the normal dress code. You do not need
very expensive clothes. A simple, neat outfit is often the best choice.
What if I am running late on the day?
Call or email as soon as possible, explain briefly what has happened, and give an accurate new arrival
time. Staying honest and calm is better than rushing in very flustered without warning.
How do I answer questions about my strengths and weaknesses?
When you share a strength, give a short example of when you used it and how it helped a customer,
colleague, or manager. For weaknesses, choose something you are actively improving and explain what you
are doing to develop that area.
What if I have little or no work experience?
You can use examples from study, volunteering, caring, sport, or community activities. Interviewers are
often interested in how you communicate, solve problems, and work with others, not only in paid jobs.
How are public sector interviews different in Ireland?
Public sector roles often use competency based interviews with set scoring. This means clear STAR
examples linked to each competency are very important. Read any candidate information pack carefully and
shape your answers around the competencies listed.
