How-To Guide: Core Interview Readiness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Candidates
Interview Preparation: Preparing Your Story
Click on each tab below to help you speak with confidence about your journey, identity, and strengths during an interview—without needing to leave culture, lived experience, or authenticity at the door.
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Prompt:
My name is…
I’m from [mob / Country / language group].
My community / culture has taught me…
One value I carry with me into everything I do is…
Example:
My name is Eddie Solien. I’m a proud Torres Strait Islander man with family connections to Badu Island. My culture has taught me about deep listening, humility, and collective strength. One value I bring into every space is respect—especially for the stories that shape people.
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Use the STAR Method to map out 2–3 key experiences:
Guiding Questions
Situation
Where were you working or what was happening in your life?
Task
What needed to be done or what challenge did you face?
Action
What did you do—especially using your cultural knowledge or strengths?
Result
What happened, and what did you learn or achieve?
Example:
Situation: At Mainstream Corporation I was managing the DEIB portfolio.
Task: We needed to improve cultural safety.
Action: I led yarning circles, created a First Nations advisory group, and updated policies to reflect lived experience.
Result: Staff feedback improved, and we reached key RAP deliverables.
Repeat this structure for:
A leadership experience (work or community)
A time you overcame a personal or professional challenge
A time you helped someone or your community
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Prompts:
I care deeply about…
The kind of work that gives me purpose is…
One thing I always bring to a team is…
I hope to use my career to…
Example:
I care deeply about helping our mob thrive in workplaces that are safe and empowering. The work that gives me purpose is helping others feel seen and valued. I always bring empathy and lived experience to a team. I want my career to be part of the change our ancestors dreamed of.
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Prompts:
This role excites me because…
I believe I can contribute by…
My skills and story align with this job because…
Tip: This is your chance to clearly link your story with their job.
Remember
❤️ Your story matters
💛 You deserve to be in the room
🖤 Culture is strength and not a barrier
💙🤍💚 You don’t have to speak like everyone else to be heard
How-To Guide: Core Interview Readiness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Candidates
This guide has been developed to empower our mob to walk into interviews strong, proud, and prepared. It's not about changing who you are to fit a system—it's about showing employers the strength, skills, and wisdom you already carry.
1. Understanding the Interview Process
What to expect:
Panel interviews: Usually include 2–4 people. Expect structured questions, often with note-taking.
Phone interviews: Often used for first-round screening. Clear, confident speaking is key.
Virtual interviews: Test your tech beforehand and choose a quiet, culturally safe space.
Cultural safety:
You have the right to a culturally safe process. Ask if a First Nations panel member is present or request a support person if needed.
Common questions:
Designed to assess your skills, experience, and how you’ll fit the role.
Example: "Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge."
2. Preparing Your Story
Share your journey with pride:
Where you're from, what you've done, what drives you.
Include cultural identity appropriately:
You don’t have to disclose mob or Country—but it can add strength to your story.
Use the STAR method:
Situation, Task, Action, Result — keep it real and grounded in your truth.
3. Cultural Identity in the Workplace
Telling your story:
Share mob, Country, or kinship roles if you're comfortable.
Show strengths from culture:
Leading in community? Organising Sorry Business? That’s real-world leadership.
If you get a culturally inappropriate question:
Redirect the focus to your skills or politely state that it’s not appropriate.
4. Common Interview Questions – and How to Answer Them
"Tell me about yourself": Include culture, values, and what you’re passionate about.
"What are your strengths?": E.g., resilience, adaptability, community focus.
"What are your challenges?": Show how you've worked through them.
"Teamwork": Think of group projects, family organising, or community events.
"Handling conflict/stress": Speak to listening, staying calm, and cultural values of respect.
5. Talking About Gaps in Employment
Own your story: Caring for family or dealing with health is valid.
Reframe it: What skills did you gain? Resilience? Organisation?
6. Decoding Employer Language
"Cultural fit" = Do your values align?
"Initiative" = Have you ever stepped up in your community or home?
"Leadership" = Doesn’t always mean a title. Think influence.
7. Cultural Integrity Questions
These assess your understanding of culture and respect in the workplace.
Prepare by reflecting on how you work in culturally respectful ways.
8. Preparing Questions to Ask Employers
Ask things like:
What does cultural safety look like here?
Is Sorry Business leave part of your policy?
Are there Elders or First Nations staff I can connect with?
9. Confidence and Mindset
Imposter syndrome is real—but don’t let it win.
Use grounding techniques: deep breaths, affirmations.
You belong in that room. Your story is powerful.
10. Rights and Responsibilities
You have the right to:
A culturally safe process
Be free from discrimination
Request an identified or culturally safe support person
11. Clothing and Presentation
Dress in what makes you feel confident.
Cultural jewellery, tattoos, and attire are part of who you are.
Don’t feel you need to hide identity to be "professional."
12. Post-Interview Actions
Send a thank-you email.
Ask for feedback—even if you didn’t get the job.
Stay connected—another opportunity might come up.
Finally
Walk in with pride. You bring knowledge, resilience, and value that can’t be taught. Employers aren’t doing you a favour—you’re offering them a deadly opportunity to work with someone strong, skilled, and connected to one of the oldest living cultures on Earth.
You got this.
