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Job Interview Australia: Questions & Tips

Q: “Tell us about yourself.”

Tip: two minutes: current role, one relevant achievement, and why this position and department interest you.

Q: “How do you meet this selection criterion?”

Tip: answer in STAR order and finish with the outcome. One clean example beats three rushed ones.

Q: “Give an example of a difficult stakeholder.”

Tip: describe the situation, what you did to keep the work on track, and the result for the project.

Q: “Why are you leaving your current role?”

Tip: focus on development and the scope of this role; never criticise a previous employer.

Q: “What do you know about our organisation?”

Tip: name its purpose, its clients or community, and one recent development you followed.

Q: “What are your salary expectations?”

Tip: if the advert states a band or classification, confirm you are comfortable within it; otherwise give a researched range and mention superannuation.

Panel interviews, selection criteria and STAR answers

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Questions & Answers

Common traps

Strengths & Weaknesses

Be authentic

Salary Negotiation

Know your value

Body Language & Dress

Confident presence

Quick Summary: What really matters in a job interview?

Quick Summary · AEO Snapshot

A successful job interview depends 80% on structured preparation. Recruiters look beyond hard skills: they evaluate authenticity, company fit, and structured answering (such as the STAR method). Candidates who substantiate their strengths with concrete accomplishments and ask thoughtful questions stand out immediately.

Job Interview at a Glance:

The first 90 seconds shape initial perception: punctuality, warm eye contact, and relaxed posture.

Use the STAR technique: Situation, Task, Action, and measurable Result.

State salary expectations as a realistic range backed by industry market data.

Always prepare 2–3 strategic questions (e.g. team structure, onboarding goals).

Australian interviews are evidence-based. You will often face a panel of two or three people, and government or large-employer roles ask you to address selection criteria in order. Prepare STAR examples (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for each criterion, warn your referees in advance, and know whether the salary is already stated in the advert.

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Schritt-für-Schritt

The perfect preparation

Mit dieser dreiteiligen Struktur gehen Sie gelassen und optimal vorbereitet in jedes Bewerbungsgespräch.

1. Company research

Find out thoroughly about:

• The organisation: what it delivers, who it serves and how it is funded

• The role: read the position description and note every selection criterion

• Recent news: announcements, reviews and current projects

• Your panel: find the names and roles of the people interviewing you

• Salary: check whether the advert states a band or a classification level

2. Self-analysis

Prepare answers to:

• STAR examples per criterion: one strong story for each, in the order listed

• Skills and qualifications: licences, certificates and clearances you hold

• Your referees: two people who agreed to speak, with current contact details

• Your questions: about the team, the priorities of the role and the next steps

• Work rights: your visa status and any conditions, if relevant

3. Prepare your documents

Bring with you:

✓ Printed copies of your CV and the position description

✓ Your written statement addressing the selection criteria

✓ Qualification certificates, licences or clearances

✓ Referee details, with permission to contact them

✓ Notepad and pen

✓ A list of your questions for the panel

Erfolgsformeln

Common interview questions

Diese 6 Kernfragen stellt nahezu jeder Personaler. Hier finden Sie die optimale Taktik und Musterantworten.

Klassiker zum Start Frage 1 von 6

“Tell us about yourself.”

Tip: two minutes: current role, one relevant achievement, and why this position and department interest you.

Eignung & Motivation Frage 2 von 6

“How do you meet this selection criterion?”

Tip: answer in STAR order and finish with the outcome. One clean example beats three rushed ones.

Selbstreflexion & Ehrlichkeit Frage 3 von 6

“Give an example of a difficult stakeholder.”

Tip: describe the situation, what you did to keep the work on track, and the result for the project.

Wechselmotivation Frage 4 von 6

“Why are you leaving your current role?”

Tip: focus on development and the scope of this role; never criticise a previous employer.

Zukunftsperspektive Frage 5 von 6

“What do you know about our organisation?”

Tip: name its purpose, its clients or community, and one recent development you followed.

Gehaltsverhandlung Frage 6 von 6

“What are your salary expectations?”

Tip: if the advert states a band or classification, confirm you are comfortable within it; otherwise give a researched range and mention superannuation.

Die STAR-Methode für verhaltensbasierte Fragen

Wenn der Interviewer fragt „Beschreiben Sie eine Situation, in der Sie...“, antworten Sie stets strukturiert in 4 Schritten:

S – Situation Kontext und Ausgangslage präzise schildern.

T – Task (Aufgabe) Ihr konkretes Ziel und die Herausforderung.

A – Action (Handlung) Ihre eigenen Schritte zur Problemlösung.

R – Result (Ergebnis) Messbarer Erfolg, Lerneffekt und Nutzen.

Nonverbale Signale

Body language & demeanour

Über 55 % des ersten Eindrucks entstehen durch Körpersprache, Mimik und Haltung.

Do's

Firm handshake – confident, but not overdone
Maintain eye contact – shows interest and honesty
Smile warmly – come across as likeable and open
Sit upright – radiate confidence
Open hands – signal openness
Speak clearly and distinctly – demonstrate competence

Don'ts

Crossing your arms – comes across as dismissive
Too much gesturing – can seem nervous
Hiding your hands – suggests insecurity
Fidgeting – shows nervousness
Speaking monotonously – bores the listener
Interrupting – disrespectful and rude

Auftreten & Stil

The right dress code

Wählen Sie Ihr Outfit passend zur Unternehmenskultur der Zielbranche.

Business Formal

Banking, law, consulting

• Suit (dark)
• Shirt/blouse (white/light)
• Tie
• Closed shoes

Business Casual

Office jobs, administration

• Trousers/skirt
• Shirt/blouse
• Optional: blazer
• Neat shoes

Smart Casual

Start-ups, creative industry

• Jeans (dark, clean)
• Shirt/polo/blouse
• Sneakers (clean)
• Well-groomed appearance

Basic rule: Better slightly overdressed than underdressed! When in doubt, dress one level more formally.

Dialog auf Augenhöhe

Your own questions

Always ask questions! It shows interest and commitment. Prepare 3-5 questions:

Good questions:

• What does a typical working day look like?
• What goals do you expect to be met in the first 3 months?
• How is the team structured?
• What opportunities for professional development are there?
• How would you describe the company culture?
• What are the biggest challenges in this position?

Avoid:

• Questions about salary in the first interview
• Questions about holidays/time off
• Information that is already on the website
• Negative questions about the company
• Questions that are too personal

Follow-up

After the interview

The interview does not end at the office door – these three steps secure your advantage.

Send a thank-you email

Send a short thank-you email within 24 hours. Reiterate your interest and mention a positive aspect from the conversation.

Make notes

Write down right after the interview: What went well? What could be better? Important information about the position? This will help with further interviews.

Be patient

At the end of the interview, ask about the next steps. Wait for the stated deadline before following up. Stay professional and patient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Key answers regarding rights, salary, interview nerves, and follow-ups.

Ideally 3 to 5 days before your appointment. Use the first 2 days to research the company and role, the 3rd day to frame your strengths, weaknesses, and STAR stories, and the remaining time for mock interviews and dress preparation.

Practice the 4-7-8 breathing technique (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale slowly for 8). Remember: the company invited you because your CV already impressed them!

Questions about family planning, pregnancy, marital status, religion, or background without occupational relevance are unlawful. You have the legal right to give an evasive or non-committal answer without breaking off the conversation.

Always provide a realistic salary range rather than a single fixed figure. Support it objectively with your background, certifications, and current market benchmarks.

Send a brief, polite thank-you email within 24 hours. If a timeline was given (e.g. one week), wait that period plus 1–2 days. Otherwise, follow up politely after 7–10 business days.