Interviewing Overview

Interviews provide an opportunity to determine fit and alignment with a position and organization. Preparation is key to your confidence and success. You can’t control how qualified the other candidates are, you can only control how prepared you are.  

Social Media 

  • Make sure your email address and social media links are professional. 
  • Utilize Handshake and LinkedIn as an extension of your resume.
  • Google yourself and consider what an employer sees. Make changes and adjust privacy settings as needed. 
  • Be careful of what you post on social media as it relates to your job search. Avoid sharing information until you have signed a contract on a final offer.

Research and Reflect

  • Thoroughly research the organization to learn about their mission, values, and what makes them unique from their competitors. 
  • Carefully review the job description to understand the roles, responsibilities, and management structure and consider your fit for that particular position and organization. 
  • Ask your friends and family, “Why would I be successful in this position?” Their responses can help provide guidance for how to respond to interview questions.

Presenting Yourself

  • Consider what you will wear and focus on something simple, comfortable, and with minimal distractions.
  • Carry a padfolio to take notes and to bring printed copies of your resume.
  • Bring only a small bag or purse. Turn your phone off or leave it behind.
  • Practice strong posture and don’t forget to smile.
  • Your interview begins before the formal interview, it starts with arrangements for the interview, in the parking lot, and conversation in the elevator or reception areas.  
  • Practice being courteous, professional, kind in every step of the interview.  
  • Show gratitude at the beginning and end of the process.

Tips

  • Get a good night’s rest to help stay focused and alert; set two alarms.
  • Avoid strong smells and perfume/cologne; some organizations have no-scent policies. 
  • Eat nutritious foods – fill your stomach solidly without overeating. 
  • Do a final head-to-toe check and practice deep breathing before you check-in.
  • Know where you are going and arrive early, but not too early (10-15 minutes early is usually a good window).
  • If possible, make the trip to the interview site the day before so you’re aware of traffic patterns, any construction, and get a sense of where to park and enter.

Introduction 

  • Practice your brief professional introduction and with an overview of what you bring to the table starting with your full name, major, background, and experiences.
  • Use this as your first chance to sell yourself. Show your passion for the field, position, and organization. Stay with professional, not personal, information.
  • Review Elevator Pitch handout for more guidance

Questions for You

  • Questions tend to fall in the categories of general interview questions, behavioral based questions, and questions specific to the field or positions. 
  • Prepare 10-15 great stories that highlight your strengths, experiences, and background. 
  • Practice giving concrete responses that are approximately 1-2 minutes in length.
  • Demonstrate strong storytelling by giving the situation, the action and results.
  • Remember it is okay to take a pause before answering their questions; organize your thoughts before speaking, which may help to eliminate some filler words in your answer.
  • Watch filler words: um, like, stuff, anyway, so. Aim to reduce, not eliminate.

Question for Them

  • Prepare 6-8 questions with the goal of asking 2-3 of the questions; remember that many of your questions may be answered during the interview process itself. 
  • Use questions to increase knowledge of the organization, position and working culture.
  • Refrain from questions on salary/benefits; save these questions for the time of the offer.

Follow-up

  • Follow up with a professional error-free thank you within 24-48 hrs. 
  • See Thank You Letters/Emails for additional guidance. 
  • Pay attention to their directions regarding follow-up and next steps.

Practice

  • Interviewing is a skill that improves with practice, practice out loud with friends, family, classmates, and Interview.com technology.
  • Schedule an appointment with Career Services staff for a mock interview.
  • The goal of practicing is not to become rote and memorized, but to help manage your nerves so that you can be authentic and genuine on the day of the interview.