Bad weather warning: interview fog ahead!
Have you ever stressed that your mind could go completely blank during an interview?

It's a nightmare scenario, but one which could happen to any of us and jeopardise our chances of reaching the next stage of our assessment process. Fortunately, there is something you can do to ensure that, even if blind panic should set in, you will recover quickly and go on to do yourself justice ... by taking a 'cheat sheet' with you to your interview.

The clouds are clearing...
In all likelihood you won't actually need to consult this document during your interview, courtesy of all the effort you invested to prepare it beforehand. But, like a security blanket, you'll feel and exude greater confidence to your interviewer simply by knowing that it's there.

And even if a sudden interview brainstorm should strike, employers won't think badly of you if they notice you glancing quickly at a professional-looking document – your 'cheat sheet' is nothing more than a single-sided, typed piece of A4 paper sitting alongside your resume.

And the forecast is fine The end result is that, by preparing an interview 'cheat sheet' document, you will arrive at your next interview feeling more relaxed. Inside the professional-looking portfolio that's sitting in your lap, you have effectively brought with you a prompt card that should see you through any awkward moments.

Problem solved!

Preparing your interview 'cheat sheet'
Unless you're one of a minority of people who can successfully ad-lib your way through any pressurised situation, preparing with a bit of method and structure will be an investment that will pay valuable dividends for you later on.

We recommend a three-step preparation process:

Step One – Revisit the key selection criteria for the organisation (and position) you are being interviewed for. If you're unsure which specific qualities they are seeking, see here how to undertake a Job Analysis.

Step Two – Remind yourself of the most-frequently-asked interview questions. If necessary, see our sample interview questions list for ideas.

Step Three – Think through your ideal response for each of the above, capturing outline answers and using only brief notes or a handful of dot points. With a little further refinement, this document will become your finished interview 'cheat sheet'.

Formatting your interview 'cheat sheet'
The following format may be helpful when structuring your summary answers. For each point in turn include a:

• Heading: begin by listing either one of the job selection criteria that you've identified (Step One), or a likely interview question (Step Two).
• Summary: highlight the key words and phrases that you'll use to trigger more detail in your mind, so you can then provide the interviewer with a full, relevant and impressive answer.
• Example: including an actual, specific example as part of your answer will often enhance the impression you make significantly, by clearly demonstrating your skills, abilities, experience, knowledge and/or achievements. Consider using a technique such as the STAR model to structure and clearly describe your examples.

'Cheat sheet' Examples
Important Note: fuller detail is given in the following Example sections than would normally be required so that they make sense to you - your own 'at-a-glance' examples must be considerably shorter.

Question: Tell me a little about yourself ...
Summary: Bachelor Arts, UNSW; well-developed research, analytical & presentation skills; 1.5 years retail experience; enjoy IT trouble-shooting for friends & family; flexible & outgoing personality; seeking help desk/call centre position.
Example: (not essential for opening question)

Question: What would you say are your main weaknesses?
Summary: Sometimes too much attention to detail; therefore used to lose sight of big picture & time not used profitably; subsequently realised critical importance of project planning phase.
Example: Last year's ASX online sharemarket competition; traded $50,000 'paper portfolio' over 10 weeks; also 25 hours/week job but spent late nights researching stocks; fun, learned lots, rated top 50 in youth category, but missed uni assignment deadlines & application closing dates for companies' summer vacation work experience placements; taught me importance of balance so performance doesn't suffer in key areas; now achieved by planning weekly timetable across all commitments; resulted in improved grades, still finding time for extracurricular interests & getting enough sleep too!

Back to Top