Interview 101

• Define your transferable skills, personal attributes, work values, and future goals.
• If you don’t know the product (you), selling it is difficult.
• Why are you interested in this position? How do your experiences and qualifications fit the requirements of the job? Be able to discuss your experience and what you can bring to the position. Write down your accomplishments and prepare concrete examples as evidence.
• Prepare yourself to answer the all-important questions: “Tell me about yourself” & “Why are you interested in this position?”
• Know your resume by heart, know your range of experience.
• Make the connection between your qualifications and the role clear for the interviewer. Make it easy for them to see you in the position and invite you back.

• Visit their website to gain an understanding of the clients they serve, their products/services, culture, competitors (if applicable), and other key information.
• Search for news articles and publications about the organization.
• Use Google, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Reuters.
• Identify people in your network that work at the company/organization in order to gain first-hand information about the organization and the position.
• The interview is as much about their needs as yours. The research and the interview will help you to determine if this is the best fit for you.

• When you are contacted about an interview you may be given the names of the individual(s) you will interview with. If you are not given their names, it is appropriate to ask whom you will be meeting with.
• It is helpful to know the background of the interviewers and prepare appropriate questions to ask them. Research their background using:
  • Company website
  • LinkedIn
  • Google

• Analyze the job description and connect your experiences, skills, and interests to the job.
• Know the salary range for the position so that you can better negotiate when you have an offer. See The Salary Question below for more information.

• Do not ask the salary for the position until you are offered the position.
• You may be asked your salary range during a screening interview. Ahead of time research the salary range for the geographic location. For U.S. cost of living: https://www.bestplaces.net/cost-of-living/
• Ask questions about benefits including vacation, personal, and sick, time, tuition reimbursement, retirement plans, health insurance, stock options, etc.
• You can ask if there is flexibility in the salary but be realistic as most entry-level jobs do not have much room for negotiation.
• For more information, see the Career Development Center Blackboard page.

• References should be a separate document with your contact information formatted identic to your resume.
• Include the name, title, organization, address, phone number, and e-mail of each reference. It is helpful to provide how the reference person knows you.
• Make sure that you ask permission before including someone as a reference. Ask your potential references if they are able to provide you with a positive reference.
• Update them on your progress. Send them a copy of the job description, cover letter, resume for any position you interview for so they can prepare what to say if called.

There are various interview formats and sometimes the interview process may involve multiple interviews and multiple types of interviews. In addition to asking whom you will be meeting with, it is acceptable to ask the format of the interview, list of people you will meet with, and the length of the interview.

Screening

Often the initial interview is conducted by phone, Zoom, or pre-assessment tools like HireVue. The purpose is to screen candidates in or out of further interviews. Applicants may be asked questions about their interest in the position, applicable experience, and salary requirements. This is the opportunity to demonstrate your ability and to be invited to an in-person interview.

• Make sure that you are in a quiet place where you can focus and that has good cell or WiFi reception. If technology is involved, test your sound, webcam, and microphone in advance.
• HireVue, online screening: Talent acquisition departments and recruiters are increasingly using technology for pre-hire assessment. See HireVue's preparation ideas. 
• Zoom: This can be an initial screening interview or because of distance, the entire interview process may be conducted using virtual tools. Watch tips for conducting a virtual interview. 
• Telephone or Video Conferencing: This is similar to the screening interview but generally more in-depth.
• Have a copy of your resume and the job description in front of you with notes about your skills and experience and how it relates to the position.
• If using Zoom or other video meeting tools, be sure to have the instructions and log into the meeting on time. Make sure you and the space behind you appear professional.

In Person

When possible, employers would like to meet and form an impression of who you are, your qualifications, communication skills, and the fit within the team. Check out the Interview Rubric at the end of this guide for what hiring managers consider in interviews.

Panel/Group

Since many offices work as part of a team, offices often want several staff members to participate in the hiring process. This allows staff to offer insight on the role and the capabilities of each candidate. Be prepared to answer questions from each person and when answering, make eye contact with everyone.

Lunch/Dinner

In this situation you will be having a meal with one or more members of the office. Although you are in a less formal setting, you are still interviewing. The hiring manager would like to see if you socially fit in the team. It is important to be aware of body language, stories or discussions that are inappropriate, and don’t drink alcohol, even if the interviewers are drinking.

Traditional

This type of interview involves broad and general questions and is the opportunity to sell yourself and your qualifications. The interviewer asks open-ended questions in order to learn specific information.

Behavior-based

The format of this interview encourages you to talk about how you dealt with past experiences, since past behavior is the best predictor of future performance. Prepare a few examples to showcase your background and its relevance to the role.

• Designed to ask questions about a candidate’s past performance - “Describe a time when...” or “Give me an example ...,”
• Interviewers wants specific details and examples of your experience. The answers should give information on the impact of your experience.

Prepare to ask questions and demonstrate your level of interest in the position.

• Develop questions based on your research of the company and the position. Don’t ask questions that are easily found on the company website.
• Prepare ten questions and write them down
• Examples of questions might include:
  • Can you describe a typical day?
  • To whom would I report? What is their supervisory style?
  • What are the strategic priorities of the team this fiscal year?

• Review Interview Questions Everyone Should Expect.
• Record yourself using your phone, practice verbalizing your qualifications and accomplishments.
• Use Big Interview – a platform Career Development Center subscribes for students and alumni. It offers prerecorded interview questions so you can practice with your webcam and review your performance with a peer, Career advisor, or professor. 
• Schedule a mock interview with the Career Development Center.

• The goal: to convey confidence and project a positive image.
• When speaking, keep your head up so your voice naturally projects.
• It is okay to pause and think for a short moment as you prepare to answer a question. Avoid using filler words such as ‘you know,’ ‘like,’ or ‘um.’
• Provide upbeat non-verbal feedback to interviewer: nod in agreement, smile, maintain eye contact.
• Nervous? Take a few deep breathes or a sip of water to focus.
• 65% of your “message” is conveyed through non-verbal behavior:
  • Eye Contact = listening
  • Smile/Facial Expressions
  • Appearance
  • Posture/how you sit
  • Gestures
  • Tone of voice
  • Professional interactions with everyone, in-person or virtual

Special note: Due to the pandemic, people may not expect to shake hands. If your interviewer greets you with a handshake and you are uncomfortable with it, politely say something like, “Very nice to meet you.” Respond with a nod, wave, or smile, and maintain eye contact.

• Professional dress – it's always better to be over dressed then underdressed.
• Try your outfit on well before the interview to ensure it fits. Prepare the outfit the night before.
• Choose conservative colors and traditional styles.
• Avoid wearing strong perfumes/colognes –many are sensitive or allergic to them; it can be distracting.
• Hair (and facial hair) should be neat and clean.

• If attending an in-person interview, arrive at least 15 minutes early. You may want to do a practice drive to the location ahead of time so that you know where you are going, where to park, or the public transportation route.
• Smile and maintain eye contact when greeting your interviewer.
• Bring copies of your resume and supporting materials including reference sheet – it is acceptable to bring a portfolio with you.
• Ask questions – write them down ahead of time and bring them in your portfolio.
• Collect business cards from each interviewer – for thank you notes.

• Send a thank you note to each interviewer within 48 hours. This is an opportunity to not only thank them for meeting with you but to highlight your interests, qualifications, and briefly expand on the topics discussed during the interview.
• After the interview, identify where you felt you were strong and where you struggled with questions. Ask Career Development Center for assistance with areas that you want to improve for the next interview.