Interviewing
You've searched, applied, and now it's time to make a great impression. Learn how to prepare, research, and present the best you to your prospective employer. Career Services offers a breadth of opportunities both online and in person through our office and campus events.
Interviewing Timeline
One of the best things to do is practice and go into the interview with a plan of what you want to convey. Career Services offers a multitude of opportunities and resources for you to refine your skills.
Before the Interview
Types of Interviews
The following video will describe and give helpful tips on how to master each of the following interview styles. There are some benefits and pitfalls to each type so it is important to be prepared for whatever type you are going into!
- One-on-One
- Team/Panel Interview
- Telephone Interview
- Video Conferencing
Understanding Interview Formats
Be Prepared
- FD Interview Information Prep Packet
- Participate in a Mock Interview through Career Services - Make an appointment with one of our counselors for a practice interview and an individualized follow-up to help you improve.
- Practice in front of a mirror or with a friend, using these commonly asked interview questions.
- Be aware of nervous habits and body language.
Interviewing: Visioning Self Using the STAR Method
Challenging Interview Questions, Part 1: Alumna Tanya Krieg addresses 2 common interview questions
Challenging Interview Questions Part, 2: Answering Common Questions for Teaching Using STAR Method
Challenging Interview Questions, Part 3: Managing Common Questions
Logistics and Planning
- Study the job description and research the organization. Be educated about the position!
- Plan your attire and make sure things are ready to go the day before. Don’t wait until the morning of your interview to learn how to iron.
- Prepare your materials: Copies of your resume, backup copies of your presentation printed or a backup version saved in another location.
- Plan your time for travel, and know the parking situation. Odds are you will need additional time to find parking and find your way to the interview.
- Be well rested.
During the Interview
- Arrive 10 minutes early
- Firm handshake
- Be mindful of your nervous habits (Verbal-slang, filler words, profanity and Non-verbal, posture, enthusiasm, hand gestures)
- Establish Eye-contact with all interviewers
- Smile, Be yourself! The interviewer is nervous too
- Keep answers concise, if you feel yourself rambling pause to collect your thoughts
- Never say anything negative about an individual or an organization. You never know who or what someone has a personal connection to
- Use the STAR Technique when answering questions
S - Situation (the context, what was happening)
T - Task (over-arching goals and objectives)
A - Action (how did you achieve XYZ)
R - Result (if it’s not positive say what you would change) - Be sure to ask the interviewer 2-3 questions as well. Check out CareerOneStop for ideas on what is appropriate to ask!
After the Interview
- Send an email thank you and a formal thank you after the interview, or leave a thank you card the day of.
- Evaluate your performance post interview. What did you do great? What could you improve on next time?
- Make notes from the interview to prepare for a possible second interview. Things that stuck out as important to the interviewer you want to bring up or elaborate on.
