Why do you want to join our graduate program?

What the interviewer listens for. Has researched the program: You name something specific about the program. Shows fit: You say the skills you want to build and what you bring. How to answer. 1. Something specific about the program. 2. The skills you want. 3. What you bring.

Tell me about a time you worked in a team to reach a goal.

What the interviewer listens for. Works with others: You say what your part was and how you worked with the team. Shows the goal was reached: You say what the team achieved and how you helped. How to answer. 1. The situation, in one sentence. 2. Your task. 3. What you did, step by step, with I. 4. The result and what you learned.

Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn?

What the interviewer listens for. Owns the failure: You say clearly what went wrong and your part in it. Learns and applies it: You say what you learned and how you used it later. How to answer. 1. The situation, in one sentence. 2. Your task. 3. What you did, step by step, with I. 4. The result, and the lesson you used later.

Describe a time you showed leadership.

What the interviewer listens for. Takes initiative: You show that you stepped up and took charge. Guides others: You say how you helped others work towards the goal. How to answer. 1. The situation, in one sentence. 2. Your task. 3. What you did, step by step, with I. 4. The result and what you learned.

Tell me about a time you used information to make a decision.

What the interviewer listens for. Analyses the information: You say what data you looked at and what it showed. Makes a clear decision: You say what you decided and what the result was. How to answer. 1. The data. 2. What it showed. 3. Your decision. 4. The result.

What is a recent change in our industry, and how does it affect us?

What the interviewer listens for. Names a real change: You name one recent change in the industry. Explains the effect on them: You say how the change affects this employer and why it interests you. How to answer. 1. One change. 2. Its effect on them. 3. What you find interesting.

How do you manage competing deadlines?

What the interviewer listens for. Has a planning method: You describe how you plan and order your work. Gives an example: You give a real example of using your method. How to answer. 1. Your method. 2. An example.

Tell me about a time you persuaded someone.

What the interviewer listens for. Persuades with reasons: You show the reasons and evidence you used to change their mind. Shows the outcome: You say what the person decided and what happened next. How to answer. 1. The situation, in one sentence. 2. Your task. 3. What you did, step by step, with I. 4. The result and what you learned.

What do you bring as an international graduate?

What the interviewer listens for. Knows your strengths: You name what you bring, such as languages and cultural understanding. Shows the value to them: You show how adapting to a new country helps you in this job. How to answer. 1. Languages. 2. Cultural understanding. 3. Adapting to a new country.

What are your work rights after you graduate?

What the interviewer listens for. Explains your eligibility: You name your visa now and after graduation, and what work it allows. Is open about it: You answer clearly and openly, without hiding anything. How to answer. 1. Your visa now and after graduation. 2. Be open about it. Many programs ask for permanent residency or citizenship, so check each program's rules first.

Graduate program interview questions and answers

10 questions graduate programs ask, what they want to hear, and a free way to practise each one out loud.

Practise these questions

By Thanh Tran, PTE and IELTS coach
Updated October 2026

The 10 questions, and how to answer

Answer each “tell me about a time” question with the STAR method: the Situation, your Task, the Action you took and the Result.

Why do you want to join our graduate program?
About you
What the interviewer listens for
- Has researched the program. You name something specific about the program.
- Shows fit. You say the skills you want to build and what you bring.
How to answer
1. Something specific about the program
2. The skills you want
3. What you bring
Practise this question out loud
Tell me about a time you worked in a team to reach a goal.
Tell me about a time
What the interviewer listens for
- Works with others. You say what your part was and how you worked with the team.
- Shows the goal was reached. You say what the team achieved and how you helped.
How to answer
1. The situation, in one sentence
2. Your task
3. What you did, step by step, with I
4. The result and what you learned
Tell it as one real example with the STAR method.
Practise this question out loud
Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn?
Tell me about a time
What the interviewer listens for
- Owns the failure. You say clearly what went wrong and your part in it.
- Learns and applies it. You say what you learned and how you used it later.
How to answer
1. The situation, in one sentence
2. Your task
3. What you did, step by step, with I
4. The result, and the lesson you used later
Tell it as one real example with the STAR method.
Practise this question out loud
Describe a time you showed leadership.
Tell me about a time
What the interviewer listens for
- Takes initiative. You show that you stepped up and took charge.
- Guides others. You say how you helped others work towards the goal.
How to answer
1. The situation, in one sentence
2. Your task
3. What you did, step by step, with I
4. The result and what you learned
Tell it as one real example with the STAR method.
Practise this question out loud
Tell me about a time you used information to make a decision.
Tell me about a time
What the interviewer listens for
- Analyses the information. You say what data you looked at and what it showed.
- Makes a clear decision. You say what you decided and what the result was.
How to answer
1. The data
2. What it showed
3. Your decision
4. The result
Tell it as one real example with the STAR method.
Practise this question out loud
What is a recent change in our industry, and how does it affect us?
What you know
What the interviewer listens for
- Names a real change. You name one recent change in the industry.
- Explains the effect on them. You say how the change affects this employer and why it interests you.
How to answer
1. One change
2. Its effect on them
3. What you find interesting
Practise this question out loud
How do you manage competing deadlines?
Tell me about a time
What the interviewer listens for
- Has a planning method. You describe how you plan and order your work.
- Gives an example. You give a real example of using your method.
How to answer
1. Your method
2. An example
Tell it as one real example with the STAR method.
Practise this question out loud
Tell me about a time you persuaded someone.
Tell me about a time
What the interviewer listens for
- Persuades with reasons. You show the reasons and evidence you used to change their mind.
- Shows the outcome. You say what the person decided and what happened next.
How to answer
1. The situation, in one sentence
2. Your task
3. What you did, step by step, with I
4. The result and what you learned
Tell it as one real example with the STAR method.
Practise this question out loud
What do you bring as an international graduate?
About you
What the interviewer listens for
- Knows your strengths. You name what you bring, such as languages and cultural understanding.
- Shows the value to them. You show how adapting to a new country helps you in this job.
How to answer
1. Languages
2. Cultural understanding
3. Adapting to a new country
Practise this question out loud
What are your work rights after you graduate?
Work rights and hours
What the interviewer listens for
- Explains your eligibility. You name your visa now and after graduation, and what work it allows.
- Is open about it. You answer clearly and openly, without hiding anything.
How to answer
1. Your visa now and after graduation
2. Be open about it
Many programs ask for permanent residency or citizenship, so check each program's rules first.
Practise this question out loud

These are practice questions and answer outlines, not legal, visa or career advice. For work rights, check the current rules on the Home Affairs website. Student visa conditions on the Home Affairs website.

Questions for other jobs

Many questions repeat from job to job. Practise the common ones too.

More for your job search

Staying on after your degree? See the English score for the 485 visa.

Common questions

What questions are asked in a graduate program interview?

Why this program, a time you worked in a team, failed, led or used information to decide, a recent change in the industry, how you manage deadlines, and what you bring as a graduate.

Can international students apply for graduate programs in Australia?

Some programs accept them and many ask for permanent residency or citizenship. Read each program's rules before you apply.

How do I answer “Tell me about a time you failed”?

Pick a real, small failure, say what you did about it and what you learned. End with a later time you used that lesson.

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