Types of Interviews

You’ve secured invitation for your first interview—now it’s your chance to shine. The next step is thorough preparation.

Asynchronous Video Interviews

These interviews use an online platform where you respond to pre-recorded questions, and your answers are saved for the employer to review later. Typically, you’ll have a brief preparation period (e.g., 30 seconds) before each question and a set time limit for your response (e.g., 2 minutes). Often, you’ll have only one chance to answer each question. You’ll likely be asked to complete your video interview by logging into the platform at a convenient time before a specific deadline, and invitations may come with little notice.

Top Tips for Asynchronous Video Interviews:

Check your email regularly for interview invitations.
Avoid waiting until the last minute; you don’t want to miss the submission deadline.
Familiarize yourself with the platform: find out if there’s an option to re-record answers or practice questions.
Don’t rely on a prepared script—it can sound unnatural and make it difficult to adapt your response to the specific question.
Practice by recording yourself answering common interview questions, using a timer.
Review your practice recordings for improvement:
- Are you looking at the camera and engaging with the audience?
- Do you appear enthusiastic? Smiling and using positive body language helps.
- Are you answering the question fully? Consider adding more details if time allows or giving a concise summary first if you tend to run out of time.
Ensure a professional setup: a plain background, good lighting (natural light from a window works well), a reliable internet connection, and an interruption-free environment.
If you face challenges accessing a quiet space, consider booking a room with your Careers team.

Face-to-Face Interviews – In-Person and Online

Face-to-face interviews can range from casual conversations with one person to formal panel interviews. Here’s how to make a strong impression:

Smile to appear more relaxed, motivated, and enthusiastic.
Listen carefully and make eye contact with the speaker. Address your answers to the questioner but include others with occasional eye contact.
Taking a few notes is fine if it helps, but limit this to essential points to maintain eye contact and engagement.
If travel is required, the employer may cover expenses or offer an alternative such as a video call. Plan travel to allow for delays.
For online interviews, ensure you can access the platform smoothly.

Telephone Interviews

Often used for preliminary screening, telephone interviews assess your basic suitability for a role and often focus on the specific competencies the recruiter seeks. You’ll usually receive a set time and date, though occasionally, these calls can be spontaneous.

Top Tips for Telephone Interviews:

Temporarily suspend any policy against answering unknown calls while job hunting, as recruiters often use anonymous numbers.
Treat telephone interviews as seriously as any other—prepare thoroughly and ensure a quiet space. Dressing professionally can help you stay focused.
Avoid reading from a script to sound more genuine and adaptable.
Take note of the interviewer’s name.
Pay attention to auditory cues; if the interviewer falls silent, confirm if they’d like more detail.
If you need to pause to think, let the interviewer know—brief silences without explanation can be awkward.

Portfolio Interviews

Common in creative fields like design, art, journalism, and animation, portfolio interviews involve sharing examples of your work as a focal point for discussion.

Top Tips for Portfolio Interviews:

Reflect on why you chose each example: what does it convey about your skills and style?
Be prepared to discuss your process, inspiration, and influences for each piece.
Consider your portfolio’s direction for the future: are there aspects you’d like to expand on, or specific areas to refine?

Postgraduate Study Interviews

If required, postgraduate interviews are designed to assess your academic capabilities and motivation. Questions will typically relate to your academic background and your enthusiasm for the course and institution.