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How to Prepare for an Interview

interview picture The interview is an expected part of the selection process for employment, internships, and many graduate and professional programs. It explores a candidate’s interests and qualifications beyond what is provided in a resume, application, vitae, or cover letter. But, the interview is a two-way process. While the interviewer’s goal is to find the best candidate, the interview is also an opportunity for the candidate to gain insight into the position and organization. Both parties give and receive information during an interview. Approach it as a conversation.

Everything you find here can be found in a downloadable pdf format: Effective Interviewing (pdf 154KB). You can also review interview questions and prepare/practice your answers through OptimalInterview.

The Interviewing Process

The interviewing process can be intimidating if you don’t know what to expect. Even though interviews range from 30 minutes to several hours, most interviews fit general patterns that share common characteristics: the beginning, middle, and conclusion. The beginning of the interview usually consists of small talk, but don’t be fooled, you are being evaluated. First impressions really do count in an interview situation. Don’t be afraid to extend your hand first upon being introduced. It shows assertiveness and confidence.

The middle of the interview focuses on the organization, position, and your qualifications. This is the longest part of the interview. The interviewer will most likely describe the organization and position, and ask questions. After they are finished, it is usually your turn to ask questions. Need help with that? Keep reading.

The close of the interview is just as important as the other two parts. The interview isn’t over until you have left the room, so it is important to remain courteous and enthusiastic. You want to leave the interviewer with a good impression and sense of who you are.

Follow up! One of the most important things you can do after the interview is to send a thank-you letter! The letter should be brief, but communicate your appreciation for the interview, highlight aspects of the conversation you found helpful, restate your interest, and provide any additional information requested. It’s best to be safe and type a formal thank-you letter rather than sending a note or email. For sample thank you letters see the Cover Letter Quick Reference Guide or check out our numerous resources in the Career Resources Area.

How to Make a Positive Impression

Interviewers expect candidates to make a positive impression. This includes paying attention to personal grooming and cleanliness, dress, eye contact, and nonverbal behavior. Your tone of voice also contributes to the impression you create. Dress in a manner consistent with how you want to be perceived. Keep in mind some of these basic tips:
  • When unsure of style of dress (business casual versus full business attire), always choose a conservative, tailored look, usually indicated by wearing a suit (pants or skirt suit for women).
  • Be prepared for a phone interview. All of the same rules of interviewing apply. If you are caught off guard and it is not a good time for an interview when you receive a call, state your interest in the position and ask to reschedule.
  • Check the message on your answering machine. Is it professional? What does it reflect about you? Would you want an employer or graduate school representative to hear it? Student Affairs
  • Don’t forget to smile, make eye contact, and listen! Your tone of voice and nonverbal behaviors can make or break an interview!

How to Prepare for the Interview

Interviewers have expectations of candidates and look for particular qualities when they interview. Identify these qualities through preparation. It will help you feel more confident and relaxed during the interview. Preparation includes these steps:

*Research
Learn about the internship, scholarship, graduate program, or job for which you are interviewing. Be familiar with issues in the field and know something about the organization with which you are interviewing. What skills, abilities, and attributes are expected of candidates? Many employers have websites describing their organization and career opportunities. Use the internet for quick access to organizational homepages. The most updated information about an organization is most likely on their homepage. You may also conduct organizational and industry research using the WetFeet Guides.

*Know Why You're a Good Candidate
Interviewers expect candidates to know what they have to offer. Studies have shown that approximately 90% of people cannot adequately define their skills. If you take the time to identify your skills, abilities, and personal qualities, you are ahead of the competition. Whatever strengths you plan to present, be prepared to offer examples of where you acquired or demonstrated them. Follow these tips:
  • Make an inventory of experiences, skills, and adjectives that describe you;
  • For the adjectives, identify experiences where they worked to your advantage;
  • For experiences, identify the skills, knowledge, and personal qualities that you demonstrated or acquired;
  • For knowledge and skills that you claim, identify examples where you demonstrated or acquired them.
When preparing for a specific interview, compare the job announcement to your inventory and note the skills, abilities, and attributes that support your candidacy. Identify three or four important points you want to make and the strategy you will use to make them. By doing so, you will be prepared if the interviewer begins with "tell me about yourself". Remember, always keep your answers in the context of the position you're interviewing for. Where you were born isn't what the interviewer wants to hear.

*Be Prepared to Tell a Story
Behavioral interviewing is being widely used by employers. This approach is based on the premise that past behavior predicts future behavior. Questions or requests are designed to target information about how you behaved in particular situations. Be prepared to tell short (1-2 minute) “stories,” that provide evidence from the past to document any skills or qualities you want to claim. Your anecdote may also make it easier for the interviewer to remember you.
Prepare to be a STAR. Recall recent situations that illustrate favorable behaviors or actions, especially involving course work, experience, expertise, leadership, problem solving, initiative, planning, teamwork and customer service. Prepare to discuss success stories which describe the:
S: situation you were in,
T: task you faced,
A: action you took, and the
R: positive results

Interviewing Questions

Interview questions involve: questions you will be asked and questions you will ask. Following are some typical questions/behavior-based questions that interviewers may ask.
  • What would you like to develop or improve in yourself? Have you thought about how you will do this?
  • Describe a situation in which you recognized a potential problem as an opportunity. What did you do?
  • Describe a time when you got co-workers or classmates who dislike each other to work together. How did you accomplish this? What was the outcome?
  • Tell me about a time that you failed to meet a deadline. What things did you fail to do? What were the repercussions? What did you learn?
  • Where do you plan to be in five years? Ten years?
  • Describe a specific problem you solved for your employer or professor. How did you approach the problem? What role did others play? What was the outcome?
While it is good to prepare for these basic types of questions, interviewers can ask one question in many different ways, so it is important to understand the themes behind most interview questions:
1. Why are you here?
2. Can you be an asset to the organization?
3. What kind of person are you?
4. What distinguishes you from other people who can do the same tasks as you can?
If you can address these basic four themes with specific examples you will be well prepared.

Questions to Ask

Now it’s time to think of questions to ask. Interviewers expect it and if you’re not prepared with intelligent, planned questions, it may communicate lack of interest. What are some good questions to ask? They vary, but here are some basics:

  • Ask specific questions about the position, especially duties
  • Questions concerning advancement and promotion paths
  • Who does your performance evaluations? How often?
  • Questions about location and travel
  • What are the major challenges and priorities in the position?
  • What is the culture of the organization?
  • What do people like best and least about working for the organization?
Questions Not to Ask

Just as there are appropriate questions to ask, there are questions you should not ask during the initial interview:

  • Salary/benefits information. Do not discuss this issue until the interviewer brings it up. Research the salary range for the position prior to the interview. To be prepared for a salary question, give a range that reflects your understanding of typical salaries for the position and your experience. Check out books and internet resources on salary negotiation, salary surveys, or speak to a career counselor about this issue to be fully prepared.
  • Questions about the interviewerfs personal background including education, marital status, etc.
  • Questions that have already been answered during the interview. If your "planned" questions have already been answered, focus on clarification of those issues, but do not repeat the question.

3 things you can do if asked an illegal question

Various federal, state, and local laws regulate the questions a potential employer can ask a job candidate. If asked an illegal question, there are three things you can do:

1. Answer the question, keeping in mind that your answer may actually hurt your candidacy in some way.

2. Refuse to answer the question, which is well within your rights. Depending on how you phrase your refusal you run the chance of coming across as defensive.

3. You can examine the question for its intent and answer it in a way that applied to the position. For example: If you’re asked, “Are you a U.S. citizen?” you can respond by saying, “I am authorized to work in the United States.” Or, with the question, “Do you have children?”, you can respond by saying, “I can meet the travel and hour requirements.”


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