Getting to the Interview Stage — What to Expect and How to Prepare

By Carmen Neagu, 28 October 2025

Reaching the interview stage is already a win. It means your CV has done its job — it got you noticed. But what happens next can make or break your chances of moving forward.

Interviews don’t start the moment you walk into a meeting room or log into Teams. They start with that first phone call — sometimes arranged, sometimes unexpected — and every impression from that point matters.

Pre-Screening Interviews

A pre-screening interview is usually a short phone or video call with HR, a recruiter, or sometimes the hiring manager. It can last five to twenty minutes, and it’s there to confirm what your CV suggests: that you’re a credible, professional, and suitable candidate for the role.

Sometimes you’ll get a heads-up, other times you’ll be caught off guard. That’s why it’s worth being ready as soon as you start applying for jobs — you never know when someone will call.

What to Expect

  • A quick walk-through of your CV — your responsibilities, main achievements, and career progression.
  • Questions about gaps in employment, especially important in regulated sectors like Social Care or Education.
  • “Why are you looking to leave / why did you leave?” — one of the most important questions you’ll get.
  • Clarification on the role basics — salary range, hours, hybrid or office-based work, and notice period.
  • Sometimes, details about the next stage — so it’s worth having your diary open.

What to Do

  • Find a quiet space. If the call comes when you’re not in the right environment, it’s perfectly fine to say, “I’d love to speak, but I’m not in a good spot right now — could I call you back in ten minutes?” It’s far better than battling background noise.
  • Be ready to talk through your CV. You don’t need to read it out — just summarise your key roles, what you’ve achieved, and why you made each move.
  • Have a short, confident answer for career changes. This is especially useful if you’ve changed industries or taken time out.
  • Ask questions. It’s fine to check: How many stages are there? What’s the timeline? Who will I meet next? It helps you plan.

What Not to Do

  • Don’t bad-mouth a current or past employer. Even if you had a terrible experience, stay professional. The person interviewing you can only hear your version, and it often raises red flags.
  • Don’t treat it like a casual chat. Every conversation is part of the process, even if someone says, “It’s just a quick catch-up.” Always treat it as an interview.

First Interview (Face-to-Face or Online)

This is where things get more formal — but it’s still a two-way conversation. Employers want to see how you communicate, how you think, and whether you’ll fit with the team and the company culture.

I’ve interviewed hundreds of people at this stage, and what stands out most isn’t perfection — it’s preparation.

What to Expect

  • Questions about achievements, challenges, and examples of your work.
  • Behavioural or competency-based questions, like “Tell me about a time you handled conflict” or “Give an example of when you improved a process.”
  • An opportunity for you to ask about the role and the business.

Personal Advice

  • Do your research. Look beyond the company website. Read their social channels, recent news, and reviews on Glassdoor. If you’re senior enough, check Companies House filings — it can tell you a lot about how the business operates.
  • Dress smartly. You don’t have to be overly formal, but always err on the side of professional. And yes — clean shoes matter. They’re often the first thing people notice.
  • Lead with a compliment. If you’re there in person, something as simple as “This is a lovely office” or “Thanks for the warm welcome” helps break the ice and puts both sides at ease.
  • Get yourself in the right mindset. Before an interview, I always recommend listening to a song that makes you feel confident. It’s not about the song — it’s about walking in with energy and positivity.

What Not to Do

  • Don’t over-talk or interrupt. It’s easy to ramble when you’re nervous, but concise, structured answers land better.
  • Don’t arrive late. Give yourself time for delays or tech checks if it’s online.
  • Don’t overshare. Stay professional — personal stories are fine if they’re relevant, but don’t drift too far from the point.

A Personal Note

I’ve seen both sides of interviews: the candidates who undersell themselves and those who overdo it. The ones who stand out are always the ones who are prepared, grounded, and genuinely interested in both the role and the company.

One of the most important things to remember is that interviews are a two-way street. You’re not just being assessed — you’re assessing them too.

If something feels off, pay attention to it. I once had an interview with a company that had numerous negative Glassdoor reviews about staff culture. I asked the hiring manager about it directly. They brushed it off as “disgruntled employees,” and it was clear that feedback wasn’t valued there. That told me everything I needed to know — it wasn’t the right fit.

Preparation opens doors, but discernment keeps you from walking through the wrong ones.

Final Thought

Getting to the interview stage means you’ve already done something right — your CV spoke for you. The next step is about showing up as your best self: informed, confident, and curious. Every stage — even a pre-screening — is an opportunity to refine how you present yourself, learn about the business, and decide whether it’s somewhere you can thrive. When you treat interviews as a partnership, not a performance, you shift from nervous candidate to professional equal.

Expert advice and support available at www.peoplepotentialsuccess.com