Mastering Your Job Interviews | Turning Nerves into Confidence | Build Your Best Self Fellowship

In this Build Your Best Self masterclass, we guide you through key steps to prepare for job interviews — from researching roles and answering common questions to building confidence and making a strong impression.

1. JOB INTERVIEW
PREPARATION

MASTERING YOUR JOB INTERVIEW –
TURNING NERVES INTO
CONFIDENCE
Introduction
A job interview can feel like the most exciting and
nerve-wracking 30–60 minutes of your life. It’s the moment you
turn your application into a conversation — and your chance to
show the employer why you’re the best fit.

This session will help you prepare, practice, and present yourself
in a way that’s confident, authentic, and aligned with the role you
want.

2. JOB INTERVIEW
PREPARATION

MASTERING YOUR JOB INTERVIEW –
TURNING NERVES INTO
CONFIDENCE

Objectives – By the end of this session, you will be able
to:
•Understand the purpose of a job interview from the
employer’s perspective
•Identify common types of job interviews and what to expect
in each
•Research and prepare effectively before the interview day
•Answer questions using structured, impactful responses (e.g.,
the STAR method)
•Demonstrate strong body language and communication skills
•Handle tricky questions with confidence
•Avoid common interview mistakes

3. WHY EMPLOYERS CONDUCT INTERVIEWS

•To Confirm What’s on Paper. Your CV and cover
letter tell a story — the interview checks if it’s
accurate and consistent.
•To Assess Your Fit. Not just skills, but also
personality, work style, and cultural fit within the
organization.
•Test Your Communication Skills. Can you clearly
express your ideas? Can you listen and respond
thoughtfully?
•To See How You Think
•Problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking often
matter as much as experience.





•To Gauge Motivation. Why this job? Why this
organization? Are you genuinely interested or just looking
for any role?
•To Compare Candidates. Employers may interview
several qualified people — the interview helps them decide
who stands out.

Remember, the employer is not only checking if you
can do the job, but also if they want to work with you
every day. Your skills get you the interview — your
personality and preparation get you the job.”

4. TYPES OF JOB INTERVIEWS & WHAT TO
EXPECT

1. Face-to-Face /One-on-one Interview
Description: Traditional, in-person meeting
with one or more interviewers.
What to Expect: Direct conversation,
observation of body language, and potential
tests or tasks.
Tip: Arrive early, dress professionally, bring
printed copies of your CV.






2. Panel Interview
Description: Several interviewers ask questions
in turns (often HR, your potential manager, and a
technical expert).
What to Expect: Faster-paced questions, need
to engage all panel members.
Tip: Make eye contact with whoever asked the
question, but also glance at others when
responding.

5. TYPES OF JOB INTERVIEWS & WHAT TO
EXPECT

3. Virtual Interviews (Phone & Video)
Description: Conducted remotely via phone call
or online platforms (Zoom, Jitsi, Teams, etc.).
What to Expect:
•Phone: Screening call to assess your
suitability before a longer interview. No body
language cues — tone and clarity matter.
•Video: Live or pre-recorded session. Requires
good lighting, stable internet, and minimal
background distractions.





Tips:
•Find a quiet place and ensure you won’t be
interrupted.
•Speak clearly and confidently.
•Test your technology before the session.
•For video, look at the camera to maintain eye
contact and keep a professional background.

6. TYPES OF JOB INTERVIEWS & WHAT TO
EXPECT
4. Group Interview
Description: Multiple candidates
interviewed together — may involve group
tasks or discussions.
What to Expect: Observation of
teamwork, leadership, and communication
skills.
Tip: Be collaborative, not dominating. Show
respect for others’ ideas.





5. Competency-Based or Behavioral
Interview
Description: Focuses on past examples of how
you’ve handled situations.
What to Expect: “Tell me about a time when…”
type questions.
Tip: Use the STAR Method — Situation, Task,
Action, Result.

7. INTERVIEW
PREPARATION
Before the Interview
Research the Organization & Role
•Mission, values, recent projects, culture.
•Key responsibilities and skills in the job ad.
Prepare Your Answers
•Practice common and role-specific questions.
•Use the STAR method for behavioral questions.
Prepare Your Questions
•Show interest by preparing 2–3 thoughtful questions for the
interviewer.
Plan Logistics
•Face-to-face: Know the venue, route, and dress code.
•Virtual: Test your internet, audio, and video.
Gather Your Materials
•CV, portfolio, certificates (if requested), notebook, pen.

8. INTERVIEW
PREPARATION
During the Interview
First Impressions Count
•Smile, greet politely, maintain good posture.
Listen Carefully
•Let the interviewer finish before answering.
Answer Clearly & Confidently
•Stay on topic, avoid rambling.
Show Enthusiasm
•Use positive language, keep energy in your tone.
Mind Your Body Language
•Maintain eye contact, avoid fidgeting.

9. INTERVIEW
PREPARATION
After the Interview
Thank the Interviewer
•Express gratitude before leaving or at the end of a
virtual session.
Send a Follow-Up Email (if appropriate)
•Reaffirm interest in the role.
Reflect
•Note what went well and areas to improve for future
interviews.
A great interview isn’t just about answering questions well — it’s about
showing you’re prepared, confident, and a good fit for the role and the
organization.”

10. INTERVIEW
PREPARATION
Dress & Demeanor
Dress appropriately for the role, even if
the interview is virtual
Be on time — aim to log in or arrive
10–15 minutes early
Maintain good body language, eye
contact, and tone

11. THE STAR METHOD
What is the STAR Method?
A structured approach to answering
behavioral interview questions by sharing
real-life examples.

STAR Breakdown
•S – Situation
Describe the context or background of
the experience.
“While working as an intern at XYZ
Organization…”

•T – Task
Explain the specific challenge or responsibility you faced.
“I was tasked with improving attendance tracking for
volunteers.”
•A – Action
Describe the steps you took to address the challenge.
“I created a digital system using Excel and trained the team to
use it.”
•R – Result
Share the outcome of your actions. Include numbers if
possible.
“Attendance accuracy improved by 40%, and reporting time was
cut in half.”

12. WHY STAR WORKS
•Keeps your answers focused, clear, and results-driven
•Helps you demonstrate competence and problem-solving
•Shows the impact of your work

13. COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS &
RESPONSES
Tell me about yourself
•Purpose: To see how you present your background.
•How to Answer:
•Start with your current role or education.
•Briefly explain relevant past experience.
•End with why you’re excited about this role.

Example:
“I recently graduated with a degree in Human Resource Management, completed internships in two
NGOs, and I’m passionate about youth empowerment, which is why I’m excited about this
opportunity.”

14. COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS &
RESPONSES
Why do you want this job?
Purpose: To test your motivation and fit.

How to Answer:
•Show knowledge of the organization.
•Connect their mission to your skills or values.

Example:
“I admire your work in community health outreach. My background in project
coordination and my passion for public health align perfectly with your mission.”

15. COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS &
RESPONSES
What are your strengths?
Purpose: To see if your strengths match the job needs.
How to Answer:
•Choose 2–3 strengths relevant to the role.
•Give examples to back them up.

Example:
“I’m highly organized, which helps me manage multiple deadlines, and I have strong
communication skills, which I’ve used to coordinate cross-functional teams.”

16. COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS &
RESPONSES
What is your greatest weakness?
Purpose: To assess self-awareness and growth mindset.

How to Answer:
•Choose a real weakness that won’t ruin your chances.
•Show how you’re improving it.

Example:
“I used to take on too many tasks at once, but I’m learning to prioritize and delegate more
effectively.”

17. COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS &
RESPONSES
Tell me about a time you faced a challenge at work/school and how you
handled it (Behavioral Question)

Purpose: To see problem-solving and resilience.
How to Answer: Use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

Example:
“In my internship, our event materials arrived late (Situation). I was tasked with finding a
quick solution (Task). I sourced local printing within hours (Action), and the event went
ahead successfully with all materials ready (Result).”

18. BODY LANGUAGE & COMMUNICATION
SKILLS
Why Body Language Matters:
•Employers notice your confidence,
interest, and professionalism before you
say a word.
•Non-verbal cues can either strengthen or
weaken your spoken answers.


✅ Do’s:
•Posture: Sit upright, lean slightly forward to show
engagement.
•Eye Contact: Maintain comfortable, steady eye contact
(don’t stare).
•Smile Naturally: Helps create warmth and
approachability.
•Gestures: Use hand gestures moderately to emphasize
points.
•Voice: Speak clearly, vary your tone, and pause to
breathe.
•Nodding: Show active listening without overdoing it.

19. BODY LANGUAGE & COMMUNICATION
SKILLS
❌ Don’ts:
•Slouching or leaning too far back.
•Crossing arms (can appear defensive).
•Fidgeting with hands, pen, or phone.
•Speaking too fast or too softly.
•Looking away too often (can signal lack of
confidence).


Special Tips for Virtual Interviews:
•Keep your camera at eye level.
•Sit in a well-lit area (light in front, not behind you).
•Look at the camera when speaking, not the screen.
•Use facial expressions to show interest and energy.

“Your body language speaks even when your mouth is
closed. Make sure it’s telling the right story.”

20. HANDLING TRICKY & UNEXPECTED
QUESTIONS
Why They Ask Tricky Questions:
•To see how you think under
pressure.
•To test your honesty and
problem-solving skills.
•To check how well you adapt to
unexpected situations.



Common Examples:
•“What salary are you expecting?”
•“Why should we hire you over other
candidates?”
•“Tell me about a time you failed.”
•“If you were an animal, which one would
you be?” (testing creativity and personality)
•“Why did you leave your last job?”

21. HANDLING TRICKY & UNEXPECTED
QUESTIONS
How to Handle Them:
Pause and Breathe
•It’s okay to take a moment before answering.
Clarify if Needed
•“Could you please clarify what you mean by…?”
Be Honest, But Tactful
•If you don’t know, acknowledge it but show
willingness to learn.
Use the STAR Method (for situational/behavioral
questions)
•Keeps you structured and relevant


Stay Positive
•Even with negative questions (“failure” or
“weakness”), focus on what you learned or
improved.

Example – “What is your greatest weakness?”
“I sometimes focus too much on details, which can
slow me down. But I’ve been learning to balance
accuracy with efficiency by setting time limits for
tasks.”
Remember, it’s not about having a perfect answer — it’s
about showing confidence, honesty, and the ability to
think on your feet.”

22. COMMON INTERVIEW MISTAKES TO AVOID
1. Poor Preparation
•Not researching the company or role.
•Not practicing common questions.
2. Arriving Late (or Logging in Late for
Virtual)
•Signals poor time management.
•Always plan to arrive or log in 10–15 minutes
early.
3. Speaking Negatively About Past Employers
•Even if you had a bad experience, focus on what
you learned.

4. Talking Too Much or Too Little
•Rambling can lose the interviewer’s interest.
•Giving one-word answers shows lack of
engagement.
5. Ignoring Non-Verbal Cues
•Slouching, avoiding eye contact, or fidgeting can
undermine your words.
6. Not Asking Questions at the End
•Missed opportunity to show interest and
preparation.

23. COMMON INTERVIEW MISTAKES TO AVOID
7. Overemphasizing Salary Early
•Wait until the employer brings it up, unless asked
directly.
Most mistakes are avoidable if you prepare well and
stay professional. Remember — every action in an
interview sends a message.”

24. ASSIGNMENT – INTERVIEW PRACTICE TASK
Instructions:
For the role the advert that you have applied
for. Assume that you have been invited for an
online panel Interview

Record Yourself in a 10-minute video answering
the following Questions

•Tell me about yourself.
•What has motivated you to apply for this position
and why should we consider you?



•What are your strengths and how do they
align with this Job.
•What would you say is your greatest weakness
and how are you managing it.
•What is your salary expectation
•You have any Questions for us.
Submission Details:
•Deadline: 05
th
September 2025
•File Naming: YourName-InterviewPractice
•Format: Video (MP4)

25. OPEN Q&A

26. THANK YOU!