Prepare for Interviews

The purpose of a job interview is to get a job. An interview is your chance to sell yourself and show the employer how your experience and skills will benefit the organization. That pressure can be nerve-racking; however, preparing for your interview ahead of time can help you feel more confident and relaxed. Below are some tips for increasing your chances of receiving a job offer.

A professional job interview
 

How to Stand Out in a Job Interview

  • Research the company by visiting their website, reading current press releases about the company and understanding their mission and values.
  • Practice, practice, practice! Prepare answers to common interview questions and set up a mock interview at the Kelcy Warren Career Experience Center.
  • Prepare specific examples of your work in case the interviewer asks for examples.
  • Bring your portfolio or provide a link to your digital portfolio if you have one.
  • Create a list of questions to ask at the end of the interview. This shows that you are interested in the position and the company.
  • Choose your interview attire -- Even if the company dress code is more relaxed, make a good first impression by dressing professionally. Arrive at your interview 15 minutes early. Map it out ahead of time, and if possible, travel to the interview location the day before to avoid unexpected delays on the day of the interview.
  • Highlight your accomplishments to show how you will contribute to the role. Relate your achievements to the job description to show value.
  • Stay positive, even when answering questions about a negative experience or previous employer. This illustrates that you can overcome challenging situations.
  • Relax and be yourself. Think of an interview as a conversation. The employer wants to get to know you better and learn more about your experiences.
  • Get the names and contact information of the interviewer(s) and send an email within 24 hours thanking them for their time. This is also a chance to restate your desire for the position or mention something you forgot to talk about in the interview.

Types of Interviews

  • Initiate an informational interview by identifying professionals who work in your desired industry, organization, or career path -- this can help you expand your network and discover unadvertised opportunities.
  • Learn about a career firsthand by speaking with someone currently in the field about their responsibilities, career path, and tips for success.
  • Get an inside glimpse of an organization's culture and benefits to better understand whether the environment aligns with your goals.
  • Reach out on LinkedIn or via email to request an informational interview.
  • Prepare thoughtful, open-ended questions to help you gain meaningful insights.
  • Follow up with a thank you note and stay connected for future opportunities.
  • This is the most common form of interview consisting of general questions geared to help the employer learn more about you and your qualifications.
  • The first question is usually, "Tell me about yourself," so be ready to give your elevator pitch. Talk about your education, experience, and skills, keeping it under 3 minutes.
  • Employers want to know why you are interested in working for them to ensure that you will be a good fit. Explain how your values and career goals align with the role and the organization. Don't be afraid to show your enthusiasm!
  • Know your strengths and provide examples to demonstrate them.
  • When asked about a weakness, choose a real, but manageable one that isn't critical to the job, and talk about how you are taking measures to improve it.
  • Be prepared to answer the salary expectation question. If the salary isn't advertised, research typical salaries for similar roles and provide a range.
  • The best predictor of the future is the past, so employers use this type of interview to gauge how you would handle certain situations based on past behaviors.
  • Responses can be drawn from work, school, and personal experiences.
  • Behavioral interview questions are difficult to predict, but the S.T.A.R. Method can help you structure clear, effective responses:
    • Situation: What was the scenario? Set the stage and describe relevant details.
    • Task: What was your role in the situation? What were you trying to accomplish?
    • Action: What specific steps did you take to overcome the challenge?
    • Result: Explain the outcome of the situation using quantifiable achievements.
  • Think of behavioral interview questions as storytelling -- a chance to illustrate how you have used your background and skills to successfully navigate tough situations.
  • If you don't understand a question, don't be afraid to ask the interviewer to clarify.

Soft Skills Employers Want

Employers want more than a list of technical skills — they want to understand how you work with others, solve problems, and adapt in real situations. Rather than simply stating that you have strong communication, teamwork, or leadership skills, show them by sharing specific examples of when and how you used those skills. As you answer interview questions, intentionally weave soft skills into your responses by explaining your role, how you interacted with others, and the impact of your actions. Concrete examples help employers visualize how you would perform in their workplace. Below are examples of soft skills that employers desire in employees:

  • multicultural sensitivity
  • organization
  • problem solving/reasoning
  • creativity
  • teamwork
  • honesty/integrity
  • dedication/work ethics
  • dependable/reliable
  • loyalty
  • positive attitude/passion
  • professionalism
  • time management
  • curiosity
  • innovation
  • empathy
  • adaptability
  • self-confidence
  • ability to work unsupervised
  • willingness to learn
  • communication
  • analytical research skills
  • flexibility/adaptability
  • ability to manage multiple tasks
  • interpersonal skills
  • leadership/management
  • decision-making
  • conflict resolution

Questions to Prepare For

  1. Tell me about yourself. Give your elevator pitch. Keep it under 3 minutes.
  2. What do you know about our company? Do your research and show how your experience aligns with their mission/values.
  3. What interests you about our company? Is there something they do that speaks to your passion? Tell them about it!
  4. Tell me about your education. Connect your academic experiences directly to the job requirements.
  5. Why did you choose this career? Share a personal story about what led you to your career.
  6. How does this position fit into your overall career plan? Illustrate how your professional goals align directly with the role's responsibilities and opportunities.
  7. How would your boss describe you? Answer honestly, highlighting your strengths and providing specific examples.
  8. What do you think of your last supervisor? Keep your response positive, even if you have had a negative experience.
  9. How do you handle working under deadlines or pressure? Draw from past experiences, highlighting soft skills such as organization, time management and work ethic.
  10. What are your strengths? Know what they are and prove it with specific examples.
  11. What is your greatest weakness? Talk about a manageable weakness and show what actions you've taken to improve.
  12. What are your salary expectations? Research similar roles in the industry and give a range.
  13. Where else are you interviewing? Be honest but keep it general. Emphasize your interest in the role and the company.
  14. What position do you expect to have in 2-5 years? Focus on professional growth within the company. They want to see your fit for the position and your commitment to the company.
  15. What kind of hours would you like to work? Be honest about your availability while showing flexibility and alignment to the role's needs.
  16. Why do you want to work for us? Focus on specific aspects of the role and company that genuinely excite you and explain how your skills and background can help them reach their goals.
  17. Why should we hire you? Connect your specific skills, experience, and achievements to the company's needs while conveying passion and a strong cultural fit.
  18. Do you have any questions for me? Prepare a list of questions to ask. This reinforces your interest in the role and the company.
  1. What are the expectations you have for the person who takes this position?
  2. What does a typical day look like for a person in this role?
  3. What are the challenges a person might face in this role?
  4. What are the company's long-term goals? How does this position contribute to the company's goals?
  5. What are the opportunities for growth within the company?
  6. What do you want the person in this role to accomplish in the first six months?
  7. What type of training do you offer employees?
  8. How do you measure success in this role?
  9. What are the next steps in the process?
  10. Is there anything else I can clarify about my resume?
  1. Tell me about a time you used creativity to solve a problem.
  2. Explain the most difficult decision you have made in the last six months and your process for deciding.
  3. Describe your best example of taking the initiative to do something that needed to be done, even though it wasn't your responsibility.
  4. Describe a situation in which you believe you were effective in achieving an aggressive goal.
  5. Tell me about the most significant project you have worked on in which it was crucial to keep track of details while still managing the "big picture".
  6. Describe a time when you had success communicating your thoughts clearly to another person or group.
  7. Tell me a time when you voiced a concern or disagreement to a co-worker, supervisor, or professor.
  8. Tell me about a situation in which you had to lead several other people to achieve a goal.
  9. Describe one of your most stressful experiences and how you coped with the situation.
  10. Tell me about a time that you were effective in putting your technical expertise to use to solve a problem.
  11. Describe a recent group project you experienced when your peers were not pulling their weight.
  12. Tell me about a time when someone was critical of your work and how you dealt with the criticism.
  13. Tell me about a time when you built strong relationships where none existed before.
  14. Tell me about a time when you faced an unexpected emergency at work.
  15. Describe a time when you were working with a team that needed to make a group decision, yet there was not agreement in the group.
  16. Describe a time when you used persuasion to convince someone to see things your way.
  17. What is your best example of customer service?
  18. Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventative measures.
  19. Give me a time when you were responsible for a project that didn't go the way you expected. How did you handle it?
  20. Tell me about a time when you successfully worked with someone you didn't particularly like.

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