Interviewing

Before the Interview

There are a few things you need to consider in order to be prepared to have a great interview.

• Research the organization you want to work for so you can understand their need and shape your answers to match
• Know yourself well enough to connect your past experience with the needs of the employer
• Plan out your outfit the night before to make sure it's clean, fits well, and is laid out for the next day.
• For the interviewer, bring extra copies of your resume, your reference list, a list of questions for the interviewer, and performance pieces or portfolios if needed
• For yourself, bring breath mints, extra money for parking or transportation, and a business notepad with a pen.
• Make sure you DON'T bring gum, coffee, soda, family, friends, or an attitude.
• Think about your answers to basic interview questions
• Check on the travel time to make sure you account for it
• Wake up early and leave earlier than needed
• Avoid caffeine because it can increase anxiety

During the Interview

 Remember when you are in the interview that preparation will help you remain calm and focused on each question.  Mistakes can happen, but do not let that make you lose focus.  

Here are some basics to interviewing well:

• Be prepared to talk about yourself and your experiences at length
• Remain positive, enthusiastic, poised, and confident throughout the entire process
• Avoid filler words
• Avoid indecisive phrases,
• Remember that you can ask questions.  If you do not understand a question, ask the interviewer to repeat it or clarify it.

Common Questions to Practice:

• Tell us about yourself.
• Why do you want to work for us?
• What are your strengths?
• What is your biggest weakness?
• Why should I hire you?
• What are your short-term and long-term career goals?

Behavior-Based Interviews

• Use your past performance to predict your future performance
• Usually starts with "Tell me about a time when..."
• The best way to answer is with the SOAR or STAR Method
  • S - Situation
  • O - Obstacle
  • A - Action
  • R - Result
    
    

• • S - Situation
  • T - Task
  • A - Action
  • R - Result

Avoid being overly focused on benefits or salary in fear that you will look more interested in the benefits than the job.

Ask questions after the interview:

• If I'm hired, what would be my first project?
• What do you like the best about working for this organization?
• How would you describe this companies culture?
• Did I answer all of your questions?
• What opportunities for advancement are there within this organization?
• When will the decision be made regarding a successful candidate?
• Do you have any concerns about my qualifications?
• May I contact you if I have any other questions?

After the Interview

Unfortunately, you are not going to be successful in every interview.  Sometimes, the candidate with the best skills loses out to the candidate that is the best fit for the organization.  The only thing you can do is move on and learn from your mistakes.  here are some possible reasons for rejection from a job.

• Inability to express self clearly
• Poor communication skills
• Poor personal appearance
• Lack of enthusiasm
• Excessive interest in salary, benefits, and vacation
• Lack of courtesy, maturity, or tact
• Lack of knowledge of the organization
• Lack of confidence or over-confidence
• Evasiveness

It is important to practice and prepare yourself for future interviews.  The Career Development Center has several tools to help students prepare for future interviews.

• Big Interview
• Mock Interview Program

You can also answer questions asked by your friends and family in order to make sure the message you are sending out matches what you want to say.

Introducing yourself to strangers and striking up a conversation can also be a great tool for improving your interview skills.  What is an interview if not having a conversation with strangers?

Interview Types

Interviewing has been through a lot of changes to help interviewers understand candidates better.  Different interview styles can be approached differently.  Here is a quick guide to different interview styles.

Informational Interview: 

In an informational interview, the objective is to seek advice and learn more about a particular employer, sector, or job. Interviewing experts in their field is one more way to add to your employment knowledge base.  As a result, gaining this information means you are more prepared. It is also an excellent way of networking and adding to your contacts.

Screening or Telephone Interview:

Phone interviews – these types of interviews are proving to be a more cost-effective way to screen candidates. Slots range from 10 to 30 minutes.  Firstly, prepare for it as if it is an open-book exam.  Secondly, make sure you have your CV, the job description, a list of references, and prepared answers noted in front of you. A large part of communication is visual and as they can’t see your body language, it critical to have positive and sharp answers delivered with enthusiasm. Finally, don’t forget to ask what the next step will be.

Individual Interview:

Often referred to as a “personal interview” this is the most common type of interview and is usually held face to face at the company’s offices.  Find out the approximate length of the interview in order to prepare; they range from 30 to 90 minutes.  Shorter interviews will mean delivering concise answers that are to the point.  On the other hand, longer interviews allow you more time to go into detail and support your answers with examples.

Small-Group or Committee Interview:

These types of interviews mean meeting a panel of decision-makers at once. This can be daunting and intimidating if you are not well prepared in advance.   However, more than one interviewer means efficiency and an opportunity for different opinions of the same answer.  Try to build a rapport with each member of the panel and be sure to make eye contact with everyone, not just the person asking the question. It is also worth trying to find out the names and roles of those on the panel.

On-Site Interview:

The second interview means you have been successful on the first occasion and they would like to know more.  As a result, these types of interviews can be longer, some lasting half or a full day. They often mean meeting three to five people which can include Human Resources, the line manager, office staff, and the head of the department.  Most importantly, be ‘on the ball’ and show enthusiasm! Try to find out as much as possible about the agenda for the day as this will go some way to making you feel less anxious about the whole process.  This is usually the last stage before an offer of employment is made.

Behavioral-Based Interview:

Known as Critical Behavioral Interviewing (CBI), the theory is that past performance in a similar situation is the best predictor of future performance.  This method of interview probes much deeper than the usual interviewing techniques.  Have specific examples ready that highlight your attributes in core areas such as teamwork, problem-solving, communication, creativity, flexibility, and organizational skills.  However, be structured in your answers and explain your examples in terms of the situation, the task, the action you took, and the outcome achieved.

Task-Oriented or Testing Interview:

These types of interviews are structured in a way that allows you to demonstrate your creative and analytical abilities in problem-solving through varied tasks or exercises.  It may include a short test to evaluate your technical knowledge and skills.  Other tasks can be delivering a presentation to a group to determine your communication skills.  Relaxing is key!