Interview Skills
You’ve already got interview experience under your belt - remember, you had to go through not one, but two interviews to join Yipiyap. That means you’ve already practiced presenting yourself, answering questions, and making a great impression.
But after a year of tutoring, growing, and learning, you’ve now got so much more to talk about - and it’s time to make your Yipiyap experience shine.
This article is all about helping you build on what you already know so you can go into any future interview feeling confident, prepared, and proud of everything you’ve achieved.
What Makes a Great Interview?
An interview isn’t just about giving the ‘right’ answers. It’s about showing:
That you know yourself
That you understand the role/course
That you’re a good fit - and that you bring something unique
It’s a two-way street. Yes, they’re evaluating you…
But you’re also deciding if this opportunity is right for you.
Reflect on your Yipiyap Experience
Here’s the good news: you’ve done loads this year that interviewers will want to hear about. When prepping for interviews, think about:
Planned tutoring sessions
This shows organisation, initiative and adaptability.
Navigated classroom dynamics
This shows communication, patience and teamwork.
Worked with a range of learners
This shows problem-solving, resilience and confidence.
Attended enrichment events
This shows a proactive attitude to personal and professional growth.
Received positive feedback from schools
This shows impact, reliability and strong relationships.
The STAR Technique
For answering competency-based questions (like “Tell me about a time when...”), use STAR:
Situation – Set the scene.
Task – What was the goal or challenge?
Action – What did you do?
Result – What happened, and what did you learn?
Example: "A student I worked with lacked confidence in maths (Situation). I needed to help them believe they could do it (Task). So, I broke down the topic into small steps and celebrated little wins along the way (Action). By the end of term, they were raising their hand in class and hitting their target grade (Result).”
Boom. You just told a great story and showed you’ve got skills.
Common Interview Questions
Here are some questions you’re likely to be asked, plus how to frame your answers with your Yipiyap experience:
"Tell me about yourself"
Give a short summary of your current experience, your goals, and a highlight from your tutoring year. Think: “Who am I, what have I done, and where am I going?”
"How do you handle challenges?"
Talk about a tricky tutoring moment and how you stayed calm, adapted, or asked for help.
"What are your strengths?"
Use real examples. If your strength is communication, mention how you adapted your explanations for different learners.
"Why do you want this role/course?"
Link your tutoring experience to your future - show that this opportunity is the next step in your journey.
Before the interview - Get Prepped!
Research – Know the organisation, course, or employer.
Revisit your application – Know what you said, and be ready to expand on it.
Prepare examples – Have 2–3 strong stories that show your skills and growth.
Have questions ready – Ask something that shows you’ve thought ahead.
On the day - Be Present, not Perfect
Dress the part – It helps you feel confident and sets the tone.
Breathe – Nerves are normal. Pausing before answering is a power move.
Be honest – If you don’t know something, own it. Nobody expects perfection.
Smile – Friendly goes a long way.
A Challenge for You
Write and practise a 60-second ‘elevator pitch’ about yourself.
Think of it like answering “So, tell me a bit about you.” Include:
What you’re doing now (tutoring with Yipiyap!)
A few key strengths
What you’re aiming for next
It doesn’t have to be perfect - just get used to saying it out loud. Confidence grows with practice!