Tips for Interviewing
Interviews are a two-way street
Successful job candidates are those who best meet the needs of the employer and who market themselves effectively. While employers will evaluate your qualifications and will try to obtain information about you, interviewing is NOT a one-way street.
The truly sophisticated job hunter will look at the employer with a critical eye to determine how they will fit into that organization. In fact, you should be interviewing the employer, just as the employer is interviewing you.
The employer tries to determine if the candidate:
- Will fit into the organization
- Has the skills necessary for success on the job
- Can and will do the job the well
- Has potential for promotion
The job seeker considers these questions:
- How would you fit into the organization? What will be expected of you?
- Do you feel comfortable with the people you have met?
- Do you like the work you will be expected to perform?
- Do you believe in the products/services provided by the employer?
- Do you see yourself reflected in the organization and in leadership?
interview strategies
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Before the interview
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During the interview
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After the interview
Your first impression starts early
- Research the organization that you are interviewing with. Understand their mission and vision, key initiatives, and available information about the role you are applying for.
- Prepare for common interview questions, especially behavioral questions. It’s best not to try to memorize a script, but instead, to prepare anecdotes related to different topics that you can elaborate on and put into the necessary contexts.
- Make sure that you’re clear on the date, time, location, and modality of your interview. If you’re traveling, account for traffic and time to find the location within the building you’ll be arriving at. If you’re interviewing virtually, test out your technology beforehand and ensure that you have a space available that will be non-disruptive.
- Conduct a practice interview! Career Development can help with this, but friends, professors, mentors, and colleagues are also great resources.
Appearance
While it’s important to represent yourself, remember that professional attire is best until you assess the company’s culture.
General Recommendations
- Clean, tailored clothes in good condition, wrinkle- and lint-free.
- Neat and clean dress shoes.
- Well-groomed hair.
- Nails and makeup should be natural and in style.
- Wear only moderate jewelry.
- Mild or no fragrance.
- Piercings and tattoos should align with the company culture.
- Belts should match your shoes and outfit.
- Cell phone off and out of sight.
Business Casual
- Nice pants or slacks
- Dresses and skirts (knee-length or longer)
- No Jeans, shorts, sundresses, or athletic wear
- Tie-optional
Business Professional
- Solid, dark or neutral matching suit
- Light colors can be worn underneath
- No stripes, bright prints or bright colors
- Closed-toe heels or dress shoes
Attitude
Your attitude makes a statement. If you act enthusiastic and eager, the impression is that you’re an enthusiastic and eager worker. If you act too timid or too quiet, it implies that you may need a lot of supervision. Some managers say that attitude can be even more important than experience.
Manners
Good manners are important. They show that you will represent the company well and work well with your colleagues. The first manner an employer will look for is punctuality; it is critical that you arrive on time to an interview!
Strategies for Success
- Arrive early!
- Dress professionally! If you need help accessing professional clothing for an interview, come to the Career Development office and shop for free at our Career Closet!
- If you’re interviewing virtually, make sure that your background is professional. If you’re not able to find a relatively neutral background, use the “blur background” feature in Zoom or Teams so that nothing is pulling focus from you.
- It’s okay to pause and think. Be mindful of your pacing and use of filler words.
- Remember that you’re interviewing them as well. An interview is a great time to get a sense of company culture and if this organization will be a good fit for you. Always have questions prepared for the interviewer to highlight your interest in the position and gather knowledge about how well the organization and position will meet what you’re looking for.
Interview Questions
There are generally two segments to the questioning:
During the first, the interviewer will have the opportunity to question you about your skills, abilities, interests, values, goals, and aspirations.
In the second segment, you will have the opportunity to ask the interviewer questions related to the position, the organization, the employer’s expectations of the new employee, etc.
Study Tips
- Prepare five or more success stories and provide concrete, quantifiable data.
- Read your resume. Know what you’ve written about your work experiences, your education, and your extracurricular activities.
- Research the organization. What are the employer’s primary products and/or services? Know something about their operations and/or current events.
- Review the “Potential Questions” section of this guide. You should be able to easily answer these questions when asked.
- Repeat your key strengths several times.
- Show some emotion. Be enthusiastic about the organization and the opportunity.
- Be prepared to ask several questions. Show an interest in the possibilities.
The Interview Continues
After the preparation and official meeting is over, the interview is still going! A couple more key steps can help ensure your success:
Write a thank you message
Send a thank you message within 24 hours of the interview. This can make a big difference!
- Thank your interviewer for their time.
- Remind them of your success stories.
- Relate it the position.
- Provide any follow-up materials they may have requested (for example, certification or licensure documentation).
Take some time to debrief
- What did you feel went well?
- What did you feel needs improvement?
- Make note of any particularly difficult questions or scenarios so that you can be more adequately prepared for your next interview.
Keep applying, keep interviewing
- It is important to continue your search until you have secured an opportunity that fits your career goals.
