Communities and Justice

Get ready for an interview

At DCJ, we are committed to providing a fair and standardised interview process. To help us understand your capabilities, experience and how you can contribute to our team, we may use a variety of questions to explore what you have done in the past, what you may do in certain work-related situations and what job-related skills you bring to the role.

We typically use behavioural-based questions in our interview process. These are designed to give us insight into how you’ve handled situations in the past. We ask all candidates the same set of questions to ensure fairness

You are encouraged to approach these questions using the STAR Method. This structured approach will help you provide a clear and focused response. 

What is the STAR method?

Situation - describe the situation you were working within, including key details that will provide important context.

Task - define the tasks that you were required to undertake to address the situation.

Action - describe the specific actions you took to address the situation and task.

Result - describe the outcome of your actions and what results you specifically achieved. 

Result - describe the outcome of your actions and what results you specifically achieved.

Other assessment activities at DCJ

Work Sample Tasks

You may also be invited to participate in a work sample task, which  is designed to give you a realistic preview of the job that you are applying for.Work sample tasks might include:

  • Written exercises
  • Role plays
  • Group-based activities
  • Presentations.

The tasks may be given to you before, after or on the day of your interview. Your Talent Acquisition contact will provide clear instructions on the timing, technical requirements, reasonable adjustment arrangements and any additional materials you need. 

Psychometric Assessments

Some roles may require online psychometric assessments to help us understand your abilities and working style.  At DCJ, the most common forms of assessments include: -

  • Cognitive ability tests (also referred to as aptitude tests) -  Assesses your problem-solving abilities across various areas, including verbal, numerical and logical thinking.
  • Occupational Personality Assessments – Explore your natural tendencies and preferred style of working.

If you are required to complete a form of online testing, you will receive an email with clear instructions from our assessment provider. There are practice questions available on the provider’s website to help you get familiar with the testing format and question types.You are encouraged to use these to get a feel for the assessment before you begin.

Most psychometric assessments can be completed using a computer or tablet device. If you require any adjustments, please reach out to your TA contact. We are there to support you!

Last updated:

06 May 2025