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Complete Interview Preparation Guide for SA Job Seekers
Everything you need to know before your interview - research, preparation, and what to bring.
12 min readRead Guide
Interview Preparation Guide
Ace Your Job Interview
in South Africa
Expert interview tips, common questions with model answers, and strategies to help you land your dream job. Updated for 2025/2026.
33%
of hiring decisions made in first 90 seconds
47%
fail interviews due to lack of company knowledge
3-5
questions you should ask the interviewer
24hrs
time to send thank-you email
📚 Interview Guide Articles
In-depth guides to help you prepare for every type of interview
Featured
Top 20 Interview Questions Asked in South Africa
The most common questions SA employers ask and how to answer them with confidence.
15 min readRead Guide
Virtual Interview Tips: Ace Your Online Interview
How to succeed in Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet interviews - tech setup, lighting, and etiquette.
8 min readRead Guide
Phone Interview Success Strategies
First-round phone screening tips to get you to the next stage.
6 min readRead Guide
Panel Interview Survival Guide
How to handle multiple interviewers and group assessment centres.
10 min readRead Guide
Salary Negotiation: Know Your Worth
How to negotiate salary in South Africa - market rates, timing, and scripts.
9 min readRead Guide
🎯 Types of Interviews
Know what to expect from each interview format
Phone Screening
15-30 minutes
Initial screening call with HR or recruiter to verify basic qualifications.
Quick Tips:
- Find a quiet space with good reception
- Have your CV in front of you
- Keep notes ready
Video Interview
30-60 minutes
Face-to-face interview via Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet.
Quick Tips:
- Test your tech beforehand
- Ensure good lighting (face a window)
- Use a plain, tidy background
One-on-One Interview
45-90 minutes
Traditional in-person interview with the hiring manager.
Quick Tips:
- Bring printed CV copies
- Practice your handshake
- Mirror their energy level
Panel Interview
60-90 minutes
Interview with multiple people (usually 3-5) from different departments.
Quick Tips:
- Get everyone's names and roles
- Make eye contact with all panelists
- Address the questioner, then others
Assessment Centre
Half day to full day
Group exercises, presentations, and multiple interviews.
Quick Tips:
- Collaborate, don't compete
- Show leadership naturally
- Be professional with other candidates
Technical Interview
60-120 minutes
Skills-based interview with practical tests or case studies.
Quick Tips:
- Review fundamentals in your field
- Practice problems aloud
- Explain your thought process
❓ Common Interview Questions & Answers
Practice these questions with our model answers. Learn what to say and what to avoid.
Tell me about yourself
Good Answer
I'm a [job title] with [X years] experience in [industry]. I've successfully [key achievement with numbers]. I'm particularly skilled in [2-3 relevant skills]. I'm excited about this role because [specific reason related to company/position].
Avoid This
Well, I was born in Johannesburg, went to school there, then studied at university. I like watching rugby and braaiing on weekends...
Pro Tip: Keep it professional and relevant. Use the Present-Past-Future formula: current role, past experience, future goals.
What are your strengths?
Good Answer
My key strength is [specific skill]. For example, in my previous role, I [specific achievement]. My colleagues often rely on me for [related task] because [reason].
Avoid This
I'm a perfectionist, I work too hard, and I'm a people person.
Pro Tip: Choose strengths relevant to the job. Always back them up with specific examples.
What are your weaknesses?
Good Answer
I used to struggle with [genuine weakness]. I've been working on this by [specific action]. For instance, I recently [improvement example], and it's made a real difference.
Avoid This
I don't really have any weaknesses. Or maybe I'm too much of a perfectionist.
Pro Tip: Be honest but strategic. Show self-awareness and demonstrate how you're improving.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Good Answer
I see myself growing within [industry/field], taking on more responsibility in [specific area]. I'm particularly interested in developing expertise in [relevant skill]. I'd love to be in a position where I can [contribution to company].
Avoid This
I want your job! Or: I'm not sure, I haven't really thought about it.
Pro Tip: Show ambition while demonstrating commitment to the company. Be realistic.
✅ Interview Do's and Don'ts
Essential tips to make a great impression
Do's
Research the company thoroughly
Know their products, services, recent news, company culture, and competitors.
Arrive 10-15 minutes early
For virtual interviews, log in 5 minutes early to test your setup.
Dress professionally
When in doubt, dress one level up from the company's dress code.
Bring copies of your CV
Have 3-5 printed copies, plus a pen and notebook.
Prepare questions for them
Ask about the role, team, company culture, and growth opportunities.
Use the STAR method
Structure your answers: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
Make eye contact
Look at the interviewer (or camera for virtual) to build connection.
Send a thank-you email
Within 24 hours, thank them for their time and reiterate your interest.
Don'ts
Arrive late or too early
Being late shows poor time management. Arriving 30+ minutes early is awkward.
Badmouth previous employers
Even if justified, it makes you look negative and unprofessional.
Lie or exaggerate
Dishonesty will catch up with you. Be truthful about your experience.
Use your phone during the interview
Put it on silent and keep it away. Don't even check the time on it.
Give one-word answers
Elaborate on your answers but don't ramble. Aim for 1-2 minutes per response.
Ask about salary first
Let them bring it up, usually in the second interview or when they make an offer.
Appear desperate
Show enthusiasm for the role, but maintain your professional composure.
Forget to follow up
Not following up can signal lack of interest. Always send a thank-you.
🙋 Questions to Ask the Interviewer
Asking thoughtful questions shows genuine interest and helps you evaluate if the role is right for you
About the Role
- What does a typical day look like in this role?
- What are the key priorities for this position in the first 90 days?
- How will success be measured in this role?
- What are the biggest challenges someone in this position would face?
About the Team
- Can you tell me about the team I'd be working with?
- How would you describe the management style here?
- How does the team collaborate on projects?
- What's the team's current biggest project?
About Growth
- What opportunities for professional development are available?
- Where have successful employees in this role progressed to?
- Does the company support further education or certifications?
- How often are performance reviews conducted?
About the Company
- How would you describe the company culture?
- What do you enjoy most about working here?
- Where do you see the company in 5 years?
- How has the company adapted to remote/hybrid work?
Questions to Avoid Asking First
- • "What's the salary?" (Wait for them to bring it up)
- • "How much leave do I get?" (Seems like you're already planning time off)
- • "Can I work from home?" (Unless they mentioned it's hybrid/remote)
- • "Did I get the job?" (Shows impatience)
🇿🇦 South Africa-Specific Interview Tips
Unique considerations for the South African job market
BEE & Employment Equity
Be prepared for questions about your employment equity status. Companies may ask about this for compliance purposes.
Language Skills
If you speak multiple South African languages, highlight this - it's a valuable asset in our diverse workplace.
Load Shedding Planning
For virtual interviews, have a backup plan for power cuts - charged devices, mobile data, or a different location.
Transport Considerations
If asked about transport, be honest. Many SA employers are understanding about public transport challenges.
Reference Checks
South African employers typically do thorough reference checks. Ensure your referees are prepared.
Criminal & Credit Checks
Many positions require ITC and criminal record checks. Be upfront about any potential issues.
⭐ The STAR Method
Use this framework to structure your answers to behavioural questions
S
Situation
Set the scene. Describe the context and background.
"In my previous role as a Sales Rep at ABC Company..."
T
Task
Explain your specific responsibility or challenge.
"I was tasked with increasing regional sales by 20%..."
A
Action
Detail the specific steps YOU took.
"I developed a new client outreach strategy and..."
R
Result
Share the outcomes with numbers if possible.
"This resulted in a 35% increase in sales and..."
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