Best Job Interview Preparation Guide for Papua New Guinea
A job interview is your opportunity to show an employer that you have the knowledge, skills, experience, attitude and work ethic needed to perform the job. It is also an opportunity for the employer to determine whether your qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position.
In Papua New Guinea, interviews can be conducted by private companies, NGOs, churches, mining and resource companies, educational institutions, government departments, statutory authorities and other organisations.
1. Why Is a Job Interview Done?
An employer normally conducts an interview to:
Confirm Your Suitability
Your application and CV tell the employer about your qualifications and experience. The interview allows them to explore that information further.
- What experience do you have?
- What did you do in your previous job?
- What skills do you have?
- How have you handled difficult situations?
- What results did you achieve?
Assess Your Technical Knowledge
The employer wants to know whether you understand the work you are applying to do.
- Accounting positions may include questions about financial reporting, reconciliation and budgeting.
- Teaching positions may include questions about lesson planning, assessment and classroom management.
- IT positions may include questions about networks, databases, cybersecurity and troubleshooting.
- Administration positions may include questions about records management, Microsoft Office and customer service.
Assess Your Communication Skills
The interview allows the panel to see how clearly and confidently you communicate. You do not need to use complicated English. Clear, organised and understandable answers are more important.
Assess Your Behaviour and Attitude
Employers may want to know whether you:
- Work well with others.
- Accept responsibility.
- Respect supervisors and colleagues.
- Handle pressure.
- Solve problems.
- Manage time effectively.
- Demonstrate honesty and integrity.
- Learn from mistakes.
- Adapt to change.
Verify Information in Your Application
Employers may ask questions about information contained in your CV, certificates and previous employment.
Compare Shortlisted Candidates
An interview gives the selection panel additional information to consider alongside the application, qualifications and experience.
2. Start Preparing Before the Interview
Do not wait until the morning of the interview. Start preparing as soon as you receive the interview invitation.
Your preparation should cover five areas:
Job → Organisation → Yourself → Questions → Presentation
3. Study the Job Advertisement
Read the job advertisement carefully and identify:
- Position title
- Department
- Main duties
- Required qualifications
- Required experience
- Technical skills
- Personal qualities
- Location
- Essential requirements
- Desirable requirements
Match the Job Requirements With Your Experience
| Job Requirement | My Evidence |
|---|---|
| Diploma or Degree | Bachelor/Diploma in... |
| Work Experience | Experience working at... |
| Computer Skills | Excel, Word, database... |
| Communication | Reports, presentations... |
| Teamwork | Worked with... |
| Leadership | Supervised... |
| Problem Solving | Resolved... |
4. Research the Organisation
Before attending the interview, learn about the organisation.
- What does the organisation do?
- What products or services does it provide?
- Where does it operate?
- Who are its customers or clients?
- What are its major programs?
- What are its values?
- What department is recruiting?
- What challenges might the organisation face?
- What is happening in that industry?
For a PNG organisation, also try to understand its local operating environment.
5. Know Your Own CV
A common mistake is failing to remember what you wrote in your own application.
Before the interview, read your:
- CV
- Cover letter
- Application form
- Qualifications
- Work history
- References
- Certificates
Be prepared to explain every major item in your CV.
6. Prepare Your "Tell Us About Yourself" Answer
This is one of the most common opening questions. Do not tell your entire life story.
Use this structure:
Present → Experience → Skills → Achievement → Why You Are Here
Keep your answer around 60 to 90 seconds.
7. Prepare for Common Interview Questions
About You
- Tell us about yourself.
- What are your qualifications?
- Tell us about your work experience.
- What are your strengths?
- What is one area you need to improve?
- Why did you apply for this position?
- Why should we employ you?
About the Organisation
- What do you know about our organisation?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What can you contribute to this organisation?
About Your Experience
- Tell us about a difficult situation you handled.
- Tell us about a problem you solved.
- Tell us about a time you worked under pressure.
- Tell us about a time you worked as part of a team.
- Tell us about a disagreement with a colleague and how you handled it.
- Tell us about a mistake you made and what you learned.
- Describe an achievement you are proud of.
About the Position
- What do you understand about this position?
- What would you do in your first three months?
- What challenges do you think you might face in this position?
8. Use the STAR Method
For questions asking you to describe something that happened in your previous work, the STAR method is very useful.
- S — Situation: Explain what happened.
- T — Task: Explain what you were responsible for.
- A — Action: Explain exactly what you did.
- R — Result: Explain what happened as a result.
The most important part is the Action. Explain what you personally did.
9. Prepare Evidence for Your Claims
Do not simply say, "I am a good leader." Give evidence.
Prepare at least five examples from your experience:
- A successful project.
- A difficult problem you solved.
- A teamwork experience.
- A leadership experience.
- A mistake or failure and what you learned.
10. Prepare for Technical Questions
If the position requires technical knowledge, revise the fundamentals related to the job.
Accounting
- Budgeting
- Financial reporting
- Reconciliation
- Internal controls
- Taxation
- Accounting systems
Information Technology
- Troubleshooting
- Networking
- Databases
- Cybersecurity
- Operating systems
- Relevant programming and software
Administration
- Records management
- Correspondence
- Filing
- Microsoft Office
- Scheduling
- Reporting
- Customer service
Education
- Lesson planning
- Assessment
- Classroom management
- Curriculum
- Student support
- Educational technology
11. Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Prepare examples involving:
- Teamwork: Tell us about a time you worked with a difficult colleague.
- Leadership: Tell us about a time you led a team.
- Problem Solving: Describe a difficult problem you solved.
- Conflict: Tell us about a disagreement at work.
- Pressure: Tell us about a time you worked under pressure.
- Integrity: Tell us about a situation where you had to make an ethical decision.
- Failure: Tell us about a mistake you made.
12. Prepare for "Why Should We Hire You?"
Connect your qualifications, experience and skills to the position.
Use this structure:
Qualification + Experience + Skills + Contribution
13. Prepare for "What Is Your Weakness?"
Do not say that you have no weaknesses. Identify a genuine but manageable development area and explain what you are doing to improve it.
The important thing is to demonstrate self-awareness and improvement.
14. Prepare Questions to Ask the Interview Panel
At the end of the interview, you may be asked whether you have any questions.
Prepare two or three professional questions, such as:
- What would be the main priorities for the person appointed to this position?
- What would success look like during the first six months?
- What are the main challenges currently facing this position?
- What opportunities are available for professional development?
- How is the performance of this position normally assessed?
15. Prepare Your Documents
Prepare a folder containing:
- Updated CV
- Cover letter or application
- Original certificates
- Copies of certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Professional licences, if applicable
- Identification
- References
- Letters of employment
- Relevant training certificates
- Portfolio or work samples, where appropriate
- Interview invitation
16. Check Your Referees
Choose referees who actually know your work.
A good referee may be:
- Former supervisor
- Current supervisor, where appropriate
- Manager
- Lecturer or academic supervisor
- Professional colleague who has directly supervised your work
Before giving their details to an employer, contact them and ask for permission.
17. Dress Professionally
Men
- Clean, well-ironed shirt
- Long trousers
- Formal shoes
- Belt
- Jacket or tie where appropriate
- Neat haircut and grooming
Women
- Professional blouse or shirt
- Formal skirt or trousers
- Professional dress, where appropriate
- Professional shoes
- Neat grooming
You do not necessarily need expensive clothing. Clean, neat and professional is the priority.
18. Plan Your Transport
Don't underestimate travel time. Allow additional time for traffic, road conditions, parking, security procedures and finding the building.
If the interview starts at 9:00 am, do not plan to arrive at 8:58 am.
Aim to arrive approximately 15 to 30 minutes early.
19. What to Do When You Arrive
- Put your phone on silent.
- Be polite to everyone you meet.
- Greet the reception staff professionally.
- Smile.
- Make appropriate eye contact.
- Shake hands if culturally and professionally appropriate.
- Sit when invited.
- Maintain good posture.
20. How to Answer Questions
A strong answer generally follows this pattern:
Listen → Think → Answer → Give Evidence → Finish
Don't rush. It is perfectly acceptable to pause for a few seconds before answering.
If you don't understand the question, say:
Thank you. Could you please clarify the question?
If you don't know the answer, be honest and explain how you would approach the situation.
21. Avoid These Common Mistakes
- Arriving late: It creates an avoidable negative impression.
- Not knowing the job: Understand the position you applied for.
- Not researching the organisation: Know who you want to work for.
- Giving one-word answers: Explain your answers.
- Talking too much: Answer the question directly.
- Memorising answers word-for-word: Prepare ideas rather than scripts.
- Criticising your former employer: Remain professional.
- Blaming other people: Explain what happened and what you did.
- Lying about qualifications or experience: Always provide accurate information.
- Checking your phone: Keep your attention on the interview panel.
22. Understand the Difference Between "I" and "We"
When answering questions about your achievements, make your individual contribution clear.
Instead of saying:
We developed the system.
Explain your specific contribution:
I was responsible for developing the database component, while the rest of the team handled testing and implementation.
23. Prepare the Night Before
Review
- Job description
- Organisation
- Your CV
- Qualifications
- Five STAR examples
- Technical knowledge
- Common interview questions
Prepare
- Clothes
- Documents
- Transport
- Interview location
- Phone
- Alarm
- Water
- Notebook and pen
Then get enough rest. A fresh and alert mind is more useful than staying awake all night trying to memorise answers.
24. Interview Day Checklist
- ☐ I know the job description.
- ☐ I know the organisation.
- ☐ I know my CV.
- ☐ I can introduce myself in 60 to 90 seconds.
- ☐ I have prepared five STAR examples.
- ☐ I have reviewed technical knowledge.
- ☐ I have prepared answers for common questions.
- ☐ I have prepared questions for the panel.
- ☐ My referees know they may be contacted.
- ☐ My certificates are ready.
- ☐ My clothes are prepared.
- ☐ I know the interview location.
- ☐ I have planned transport.
- ☐ I will arrive early.
- ☐ My phone will be silent.
- ☐ I will listen carefully.
- ☐ I will answer honestly and clearly.
25. A Simple 7-Day Interview Preparation Plan
Day 1 — Understand the Job
Read the advertisement several times and identify the duties, qualifications, experience, competencies and technical requirements.
Day 2 — Research the Organisation
Learn about the organisation's history, services, structure, current activities, industry and challenges.
Day 3 — Study Yourself
Review your CV, qualifications, employment history, achievements and skills.
Day 4 — Prepare Examples
Prepare STAR examples for teamwork, leadership, problem solving, conflict, pressure, achievement and failure.
Day 5 — Practise Questions
Answer at least 15 common interview questions out loud.
Day 6 — Mock Interview
Ask a friend, colleague or family member to interview you. Ask them to evaluate your clarity, confidence, eye contact, body language, relevance of answers and technical knowledge.
Day 7 — Final Preparation
Prepare your documents, clothing, transport, interview location and questions for the panel. Then get enough rest.
26. The Most Important Rule
Remember that the interview is not about proving that you know everything. It is about demonstrating that you understand the job, have relevant evidence of your ability, communicate effectively and can contribute to the organisation.
Don't spend all your preparation memorising textbook definitions. Prepare real examples from your own experience.
When asked, "Tell us about a time you solved a problem," explain:
What happened → What you were responsible for → What you did → What happened afterwards.
Job Interview Preparation Formula
JOB + ORGANISATION + YOUR EXPERIENCE + STAR EXAMPLES + PRACTICE + PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION = STRONG INTERVIEW PREPARATION