How to prepare for an interview with a local authority

An interview with a local authority is your chance to showcase your qualifications for the role, express your interest in the organisation, and highlight your personality. Being well-prepared can help you feel calm and confident on the day, ensuring you can effectively answer the questions you're likely to be asked. There are several steps you can take to prepare for any interview. In this article, we offer various strategies to help you succeed in your upcoming local authority interview.

Analyse the job description

Carefully read the job description to understand the qualifications, qualities, and background the local authority is seeking in candidates for this role. Use this information to highlight your most relevant qualities and qualifications. Understanding the job description can also provide insights into the local authority and help you anticipate possible interview questions.

Review your qualifications and goals

Reflect on what the local authority is looking for in candidates and review your CV to identify the qualifications you have provided that you may need to elaborate on. You might be asked to explain how your professional background aligns with the job description and the role's expectations. This is also a good time to consider how this job fits into your career path and how it can help you achieve your long-term professional and personal goals.

Research the local authority's organisational structure

Gaining a thorough understanding of the local authority and your potential position within it will help you determine how you will fit in with the employees, management, and overall organisational culture, which may be discussed during the interview.

Here are some resources to explore before your interview:

1. Local authority website and 'About Us' section

2. History, mission, and values of the local authority encapsulated in the corporate plan and any specific functional specific plans to this role

3. Look into the political situation at the council and how that has informed their direction. Could the politics change in the future?

4. Social media channels of the local authority

5. Industry news, such as press releases and articles

6. Check out the people you are being interviewed by and their line managers on LinkedIn to get an understanding of the individual and what topics you can build rapport over.

   
   

If you find any information about the local authority that you want to know more about, bring it up during your interview. The interviewer may appreciate your curiosity, demonstrating your genuine interest in the role.

Practise interview questions

Reviewing common interview questions is an excellent way to prepare for an interview with a local authority. Thinking through these questions helps you present yourself eloquently, accurately, and positively. Reflect on your skills and past accomplishments, and consider how you can incorporate these points into your answers to demonstrate that you would be a valuable addition to the local authority.

Common interview questions may include:

Why do you want this job?

To prepare for this question, understand the job description and the local authority's mission statement, and explain how it aligns with your personal career goals.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This is your opportunity to discuss both soft and hard skills. Highlight your personal attributes that would help you succeed in this role. When discussing weaknesses, focus on how working for the local authority can help you improve.

Where do you see yourself in five years' time?

The interviewer is asking about your ultimate goals and whether you see yourself working with the local authority for a significant period. Connect your long-term professional goals to the skills and experience you plan to gain in this role, and describe the potential advanced positions you aim to hold within the local authority as you progress in your career.

What is your understanding of working in a political environment, and how would you approach supporting members in delivering their plans?

Local authorities operate within a political framework, where decisions and policies are influenced by elected members and political agendas. The interviewer wants to assess your awareness of this dynamic and your ability to navigate it effectively. They are looking for candidates who can work collaboratively with elected officials, understand the political context, and contribute to the successful implementation of their plans.

How to answer it:

Demonstrate your understanding:

• Explain your knowledge of the political environment within local authorities, including the role of elected members and the impact of political decisions on operations and services.

• Mention any relevant experience you have working in or with political entities, highlighting your ability to adapt to changing priorities and navigate political sensitivities.

Outline your approach:

• Describe how you would support elected members in delivering their plans, emphasising collaboration, communication, and strategic thinking.

• Provide examples of how you have successfully worked with stakeholders to achieve common goals, showcasing your ability to build relationships and foster cooperation.

Prepare for role-specific evaluation

You should also be prepared for a possible test or evaluation, which the interviewer may use to see your skills at work. This may be as formal as actually having to examine a specific piece of information and review, but more likely it is go to be talking through how you would approach this task from a methodology perspective. For example, if you are interviewing for a job as an Estates Surveyor, you may be asked to evaluate a lease or how you would tackle a challenging tenant who was in arrears. Remember to approach such an evaluation with confidence and talk through your thought process so your interviewer can get a better idea of how you work.

"Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure." — Confucius

Think of questions for the interviewer

Asking insightful questions about the position and the local authority can leave a positive first impression. Prepare several questions to ask the interviewer to demonstrate your interest in learning more about the organisation and your thorough understanding of the role. Here are some questions you might consider:

Role-Specific Questions:

• What does a typical day look like for someone in this position?

• What are the key challenges someone in this role might face?

• How does this position contribute to the local authority's overall goals?

Team and Culture:

• Can you tell me more about the team I would be working with?

• How would you describe the organisational culture here?

• What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the local authority?

Performance and Expectations:

• What are the most important qualities for someone to succeed in this role?

• How is performance typically measured and reviewed?

• What are the short-term and long-term goals for this position?

Local Authority Insights:

• What do you enjoy most about working for this local authority?

• How does the local authority support its employees in achieving work-life balance?

• Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives that this role will be involved in?

• How stable are the politics at the Council and how does this translate into the strategic direction of the council.

Subscribe to the Truth about Local Government podcast

Next Steps:

• I've really enjoyed learning about this role. What are the next steps in the hiring process?

• Is there anything else you need from me to move forward in the application process?

Print out copies of your CV and references

While the interviewer likely has access to a digital copy of your CV, bringing a hard copy to the interview demonstrates your preparedness. Bring at least three copies for multiple interviewers, plus one for yourself to follow along. Additionally, print out copies of your references to provide if requested, showing that you are thorough and ready for any eventuality.

Prepare your travel arrangements

Determine the location of your interview, how long it will take to get there from your home, and the most convenient mode of transportation. Planning your travel in advance ensures you arrive on time, boosting your confidence and demonstrating your professionalism and time management skills. 

Here are some steps to ensure everything goes smoothly on the day of the interview:

• Leave early: Once you know how long it will take to reach your interview location, leave early to account for any traffic or travel delays. Arriving 15 minutes early shows your interest in the position and your ability to plan ahead. Use this time to mentally prepare, review your CV, and familiarise yourself with the building.

• Research the area: If possible, visit the building where the interview will be held a few days before the scheduled time. If you can't visit, study the area. Check local train timetables and research any travel disruptions, such as station closures or planned engineering works. If you need more information, contact the interviewer for details about the area.

• Save interview contact information: In case of unexpected travel issues, have your interviewer's contact information handy so you can call and inform them of the problem. Aim to provide at least an hour's notice as a professional courtesy for their time.

  
  

Draft a follow-up message ahead of time 

Sending a follow-up email a few days after the interview is a great way to show your continued interest in the position, remind the interviewer of your conversation, and address any points you may have forgotten to mention. Before your interview, consider drafting the message with a standard greeting, a structure for the points you want to include—such as references to specific conversation topics—and areas to highlight other information you want to emphasise. Conclude by expressing your anticipation of hearing back. After the interview, you can efficiently complete the draft and send it promptly.

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." — Maya Angelou

Preparing for an interview with a local authority involves several key steps to ensure you present yourself as a well-qualified and enthusiastic candidate. By thoroughly analysing the job description, reviewing your qualifications and goals, researching the local authority's organisational structure, practising common interview questions, and planning your travel arrangements, you can approach the interview with confidence and professionalism. Additionally, bringing printed copies of your CV and references, and drafting a follow-up message ahead of time, can further demonstrate your preparedness and interest in the role. With these strategies in place, you'll be well-equipped to make a positive impression and increase your chances of success in securing the position. Good luck!

This blog post was sponsored by Local Partnerships LLP, who help local authorities to deliver projects and implement changes efficiently. They offer expertise in climate adaptation, energy efficiency, waste management, housing, infrastructure, procurement, and digital transformation, ensuring excellent value for money and meeting key priorities.