Tips & Types
Interviews
An interview is your opportunity to shine. Knowing what to expect and preparing for it will give you confidence and allow you to perform to the best of your ability. Remember that the employer has asked you to interview because of genuine interest in you. Now it is your turn to demonstrate reciprocal interest and proof of your abilities.Visit the Office of Career Services for a mock interview.
Preparation is one of the keys to a successful interview. Your career counselor can help you in practicing the questions you might receive at an interview as well as provide suggestions and tips to calm pre-interview jitters.
Employers want to learn three things about you during an interview.
- Can you do the job? (your skills/credentials)
- Will you do the job? (your motivation)
- Are you a good fit? (relationships)
Look for opportunities to match your background with their needs.
This requires preparation - employer research and self-knowledge. Employer research can be as simple as a review of their website or more advanced to include conversations with representatives of the organization. Self-knowledge includes a careful evaluation of your background to identify the breadth of your skills, interests, and accomplishments developed in every part of your life- academic, work, campus, and community. Since employers are also hiring a colleague, your personal characteristics count. Look for ways to convey these through your thoughtful, well-prepared questions and answers.
Screening & Site Interviews
Screening Interviews
These are used by employers to quickly gauge your fit with their position or organization. Because this interview is brief, 2 minutes to 1 hour, you must make an immediate positive impression. If mutual interest is established, you will be invited for a second interview, the selection interview.Phone interview: Arrange a quiet place to make or receive your call. Use a landline rather than a cell phone when possible. Have your resume and supporting documents in front of you. Realizing you are not able to exchange non-verbal cues with the interviewer, you will need to convey your energy and enthusiasm through your voice. Hint: standing up helps! This interview is typically 5-30 minutes in length, though it can go as long as one hour.
Career fair interview: This is likely to be a brief interaction in a busy environment, ranging from 2-15 minutes. Your focus on the conversation at hand is key. Prepare a brief introduction to begin your conversation. Be aware of the employer’s cues as to whether it is appropriate to elaborate or wrap up. Some employers will create their phone, campus, or site interview schedules at the fair.
Information session interview: This is generally 1-2 hours in length. A formal presentation by the employer is followed by informal conversations between students and representatives. Information sessions are often scheduled the evening before on-campus interviews.
On-campus interview: This is typically 30 minutes in length, but some employers prefer 45 minutes to one hour. This interview takes place in the Career Center interview rooms.
Selection (site) Interviews
The selection interview follows a successful screening interview and usually takes place at the employer’s site. This interview can range from 2 hours (for a local employer) to 2 days (for an out-of-town employer). Most interviews are 30 minutes to one hour in length. You will have the opportunity to observe the work environment. In a selection interview, you have several opportunities to make a positive impression since many personnel often have a voice in the hiring decision. You will meet with 3-8 individuals who represent various positions and units -- human resources, a recent college hire, team members, a supervisor, a high level manager. Every interaction counts from the time you arrive to the time you leave.Behavioral & Traditional Interviews
Behavioral interviews:
The majority of employers are now using behavioral interviews. Employers first identify the characteristics important for success in their organization. Then employers choose questions to help them identify candidates who possess these characteristics. Behavioral interviews are based on the notion that past behavior is a good predictor of future behavior. A behavioral question will ask you to recall a past situation or task, explain how you responded or the action you took, and describe the outcome or results you achieved.Sample behavioral interview questions:
- Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
- Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve that goal.
- Tell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with an upset customer, co-worker, or classmate.
Traditional interviews:
A smaller group of employers conduct traditional interviews. These interviews follow the organization of your resume. Your resume is used as a guide to probe your preferences, decisions, and achievements as demonstrated through academic, work, campus, and community involvement.Sample Traditional Interview Questions:
- Tell me about yourself.
- What do you consider to be your greatest strengths?
- What motivates you most in a job?
- Why should we hire you?
- What do you know about our organization?
Checklist for Success
Before the interview- Know your strengths.
- Research the organization.
- Clarify the details of the interview in advance – date, location, schedule, attire.
- Arrive 10 minutes early.
- Prepare questions to ask employers.
- Bring several copies of your resume and a list of references.
- Bring your portfolio or samples of your work, if appropriate for your field.
- Bring an unofficial copy of your transcript.
- Be a good listener. Let the interviewer guide you.
- Watch your body language – smile, practice a firm handshake, maintain good eye contact, sit and stand in an attentive manner, stay focused on the conversation at hand while in a group setting.
- Ask for clarification if you are unsure of the question.
- Be honest if you are asked a question you are unable to answer. Offer a thoughtful way in which you would try to find the answer.
- Display energy and enthusiasm for your field and the organization.
- Be prepared to give specific examples to back up statements you make about yourself. These can be from academic, professional, and personal experiences.
- Look for opportunities to highlight your strengths and match them to their needs.
- Evaluate your performance.
- Follow up with a thank you note within 24 hours.