Purpose of
Interviewing
- To convince the employer/interviewer that you can make
a contribution to their organization
- To appraise the job opportunity
- To avoid being screened out
- To land the job
Before the Interview
- Know yourself: strengths, values, interests, skills,
accomplishments, goals, etc.
- Prepare your materials: resume, references, transcripts,
supplemental materials.
- Prepare your interview attire: professional and conservative
attire. For more information, see our Dress
For Success site.
- Research the Employer
- Talk with faculty, alumni, other employees, etc.
- Research the organization on the web
- Find out information on: ownership, products,
services, new projects, location of facilities,
headquarters location, recent market developments,
competitors, growth patterns, reputation, size,
international operations, training, evaluations,
etc.
- PRACTICE - DO A MOCK INTERVIEW
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Types of Interviews
- Directed/Structured Interviews: formal
and direct; guided by the interviewer; questions are
mostly job related; a no-nonsense style.
- Unstructured Interviews: open-ended
questions; relaxed style conducive to shedding light
on candidate's personality; be assertive and stay away
from 2-3 word answers; provide examples.
- Stress Interview: sometimes used when
job has strict guidelines; purposeful long gaps of silence;
get candidate's true colors to show through.
- Telephone Interview: often used to
narrow job pool; many times the interview is with a panel.
- Group Interview: several candidates
are interviewed at the same time; sometimes used with
large organizations that hire large numbers.
- Panel Interview: more than one interviewer
posing questions; many times they are set questions asked
of all candidates; helpful hint-maintain eye contact
with everyone.
- Behavioral Interview: the most accurate
predictor of future performance is past performance in
a similar situation; employers predetermine which skills
are necessary for the job; your responses need to be
specific and detailed; always listen carefully to the
questions and ask for clarification if necessary; your
interview preparation should include identifying examples
of situations where you have demonstrated behaviors.
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Typical Interview Structure
- Making contact: establish rapport and structure
- Establishing qualifications and opportunities: information
gathering and giving
- Closing: ask questions of the interviewer; interviewer
outlines next steps
- Administration/Preparation: interviewer completes notes
and review of resumes, references, evaluations and other
materials
- Thank you letter: interviewee sends thank you note
immediately
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What Employers Really
Want To Know
- Academic Record: often an indicator of motivation and
work ethic
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills: get along with
different types of personalities and communication effectively
- Leadership: not afraid to assume responsibilities;
work with minimum supervision
- Enthusiasm: attitude and behavior; alert, responsive
and energetic
- Flexibility: expand and change with organization
- High Energy Level: capable of handling multiple tasks;
show commitment to job
- Maturity: know how to handle yourself in a leadership
or difficult situation
- Special Qualities: what are your 3 most marketable
strengths
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Typical
Interview Questions
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why are you applying for this job?
- What can you offer us?
- What are your strengths? weaknesses?
- What is your greatest accomplishment?
- What do you hope to gain from this job?
- How did you choose your academic field?
- What are your career plans for the next five years?
- Describe your work style.
- How do you prefer to be supervised?
- Why should we hire you?
- Why did you take your last job?
- Describe a situation in which you were successful.
- What motivates you?
- How do you handle stress?
- How do you think a professor or friend who knows you
well would describe you?
- What have you learned from your past mistakes?
- How do you determine or evaluate success?
- Describe your most rewarding college experience.
- Will you relocate? Do you have a geographical
preference?
- How do I know you're the best candidate?
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Behavioral Interview Questions
- Give me a specific example of a time when you used
good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
- Describe a situation in which you were able to use
persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things
your way.
- By providing examples, convince me that you can adapt
to a wide variety of people, situations and environments.
- Describe a time on any job that you held in which you
were faced with problems or stresses that tested your
coping skills.
- Give an example of a time in which you had to be relatively
quick in coming to a decision.
- Tell me about a time in which you had to use your written
communication skills in order to get an important point
across.
- Give an example of an important goal which you had
set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching
it.
- Describe the most significant or creative presentation
which you have had to complete.
- Tell me of a time when you had to go above and beyond
the call of duty in order to get a job done.
- Give me an example of a time when you were able to
successfully communicate with another person even when
that individual may not have personally liked you or
vice versa.
- Tell me about a time when you worked under tremendous
stress.
- Describe the most rewarding aspect of your previous
job.
- Describe the most challenging or frustrating aspect
of that same job.
- If you could change one thing about your current boss,
what would that be and why?
- Give me an example of a problem you faced on any job
and how you went about solving it.
- Describe an experience when you dealt with an angry
customer.
- When was the last time you "broke the rules" (thought
outside the box) and how did you do it?
- What was the wildest idea you had in the past year?
What did you do about it?
- What is the most difficult decision you've had to make
and how did you arrive at your decision?
- When taking on a new task, do you like to have a great
deal of feedback and responsibility at the outset or
do you like to try your own approach?
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Illegal Questions
Interview questions must all be job/experience related. If
questions come up that are illegal or improper, such as
questions about your family plans, etc, then you need to
consider your options:
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Questions You Ask
- What do you look for in applicants?
- What continuing education and supervision is provided?
- In what directions do you see your organization going
in the near future?
- What are some current challenges here?
- What do you like most about your work here?
- What makes a successful employee in your organization?
- How would I be evaluated?
- What's a normal work week like?
- Is there other information I can provide you?
- When will your hiring decisions and offers be made?
- What are the specific duties required?
- Please tell me about your experiences with this organization.
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Evaluation of the Interview
The employer will consider the following in evaluating your
interview
- Your handshake, attire, eye contact, etc.
- A demonstration of awareness of the company/organization
- Relevant questions asked
- Responsive listening
- Enthusiasm about the company/organization
- Ability to fit in with the company/organization
- A fit between the company's needs and your talents/skills
- Demonstrated ability to work as a team player
- Motivation and energy level
- Attitudes toward work, self and others
- Ability to lead or supervise
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After the Interview
- Send a thank you letter within 24 hours of the interview. You
may email or fax your letter, but always send a hard
copy in the mail for follow-up.
- Complete any written applications and forms requested.
- Make notes to yourself
- Write down key things that were said. These can
be used in your thank you letter
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Helpful Hints
- Focus your energy towards the employer and remember
the non-verbals: a good strong handshake and body language.
- The eyes have it! Look at the employer when you
speak and listen.
- Be aware of fidgeting. Watch for nervous habits.
- Plan well ahead. Get your materials in order
and do your research.
- Practice!! Set up a mock interview with a career
counselor.
- Arrive at the interview early.
- Be yourself during the interview and be honest.
- Ask questions. Prepare your list and bring it
to the interview.
- Remember to dress for the interview, not the job.
- Bring extra copies of your resume.
- Keep your answers concise and on track. Don't
fall into a rambling trap.
- Give your own views, not what you think you are expected
to say.
- Be enthusiastic, but don't oversell yourself.
- Ask yourself the following questions: Can I do the
job? Do I have a good work ethic? How interested am I
in this kind of work? Will I fit into the company? Why
do I want to work for this company?
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