Career Services | Interview

Interviewing

Additional information on this topic is available in the Career Resource Center in 180 Lighty. Interviewing Handout (PDF File)

The information on this page will help you put your best foot forward throughout the interview process. "Hot Tips" provides a brief overview, "Preparing for the Interview" will help you get ready, "During the Interview" tells you what to expect, and "After the Interview" will help you follow up once the interview is over.

To prepare for typical interview questions, check out "Questions an Interviewer Might Ask", "Questions an Interviewer Should NOT Ask", "Questions You Can Ask in an Interview", and "Behavioral Interviews".

Hot Tips for Successful Interviews

Learn as much as you can about the company beforehand-know its products and services, its profit margin, its management, its culture, its dress code, and anything else you can think of. Good sources are the Career Services Resource Room and web site, Holland Library or Neil Public Library, and the Internet.
Do practice interviews. Read through sample interviews on our web site or watch a video interview on the Discover software. Make an appointment with a career counselor for one-on-one coaching or participate in mock interviews with employers before the Fall or Spring Job Fairs. Make a videotape of yourself in a mock interview if you get the chance.
Think about how your experience in work, classes, and activities can relate to the job you're seeking.
Allow plenty of time to get to the interview and, if possible, visit the site in advance and time how long it takes to get there.
Plan your interview attire in advance and make sure your clothing is pressed, your shoes are shined, and your hair and nails are well groomed.
Bring extra copies of your resume and a list of references.
Speak slowly and clearly and don't be afraid to pause for a moment to collect your thoughts.
Be honest. Don't try to cover up mistakes. Instead, focus on how you learned from them.
Be assertive. Remember that the interview is a way for you to learn if the job is right for you.
Ask the interviewer for a business card and send a thank-you note or e-mail as soon as possible.

Adapted from: 43rd Edition, PLANNING JOB CHOICES: 2000...The career planning guide. National Association of Colleges and Employers.

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW

Spend a couple of hours on periodical data base systems (such as InfoTrac) at the library. These databases allow users to search for magazine and newspaper articles that can, for interviewing purposes, provide information on the companies and industries in which you are interested.
Acquire company literature such as newsletters and annual reports.
Get comfortable talking about yourself, your career and your accomplishments. Practice out loud, by yourself or in front of friends, to get used to what can be an uncomfortable and/or unusual situation. Know how you will answer the inevitable questions, "How can you help our organization?" and "Tell us about yourself."
Talk to friends or colleagues who have gone through a job search. Ask them about the kinds of questions you can expect and how they handled particular situations. Try to become as familiar as you can with the interviewing process.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

An interview begins with introductions and a handshake. Look the interviewer in the eye and use a firm handshake when introducing yourself. This conveys confidence. Once you are seated, the interviewer may begin with "small talk" to help you relax.

The second phase of the interview consists of the interviewer asking you questions to try to determine your match to the specifications needed to do the work well. Often an interviewer's first question is "Tell me about yourself?" Translate this to "Why should I hire you?" and the question is much easier to answer.Always relate your answers to your future responsibilities and the organization's policies. Give concrete examples from your past activities as illustrations of your qualifications. Never answer with a simple "yes" or "no"; instead give examples whenever possible. The STAR technique can help you to develop strong answers to interview questions. For each of your answers, try to:

S = Describe a situation.
T = Describe the tasks involved in the situation.
A = Describe the action that you took.
R = Describe the results of your action.

The third phase of the interview consists of the interviewer asking if you have any questions about the position or the organization. Ask questions that show you are interested in and knowledgeable about the organization and the position for which you are interviewing. "What's in it for me" questions (salary, benefits) should be left for later interviews with the organization or until a job offer has been made.

The final phase of the interview consists of ending the interview. Hopefully, the interviewer will provide the following information:

"Next steps", if any
A timeline for making a decision about candidates
Whether or not you will be notified if you do not receive a job offer
Interviewer's business card

If an interviewer does not provide the information, don't hesitate to ask for it. It will help you when you follow up after the interview. Also, it helps to have a short summary statement prepared for the end of the interview. Reiterate your interest in the position & mention a few of your strong points or reasons why you would be the best person for the job.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Take a few minutes to write down your impressions of the position. This may help you if you need to decide between two or more job offers. Review the questions you were able to answer well and those that gave you trouble. Use the questions that gave you trouble as an opportunity to improve your interviewing skills. Why were they difficult questions? If you are asked similar questions in another interview, how would you respond?

As soon as possible after the interview (preferably within a day or two) send the interviewer a short thank you letter. This serves several purposes. It shows your knowledge of proper business etiquette and common courtesy, reminds the interviewer of who you are, and gives you another opportunity to "sell" your skills, abilities, and interest in the position.

QUESTIONS AN INTERVIEWER MIGHT ASK

General

Tell me about yourself.
If you had your life to live over again, what would you do differently? Why?

Work Related

Describe your ideal work environment.
What kinds of rewards are most satisfying to you? How do these rewards affect the effort you put into your work?
What did you enjoy most on your last job? Least?
Describe the most difficult work-related situation you have ever faced. How did you react?
What was you relationship with your supervisor?
What qualities do you prefer in a boss?
What relationship should exist between a supervisor and those reporting to him/her?
Did you work alone or with other people in accomplishing the majority of your tasks?
How important is communication and interaction with others on the job?
Why did you leave you last job? Would they give you a good recommendation?
Give an example of a time you took the initiative at work.
Do you have a geographic preference? Are you willing to relocate?
How do you feel about working overtime? Travel overnight?
Are you willing to spend at least six months as a trainee?

Education Related

What was your most rewarding college experience?
What is the highest level of education that you have completed?
Why did you choose your college/university?
Why did you select your field of study Was that your original goal as a freshman?
Which courses did you like most? Least? Why?
What do you hope to do with your degree?
What was your GPA? Could your GPA have been higher? What kept it from being higher?
Do you think your grades are a good indicator of your college achievement?
What is your greatest educational achievement?
How do you think your education has prepared you for your desired career?
If you had the chance to repeat your college career, what would you do differently? Why?
What do you feel you will have to do to remain current in your field?
Do you plan to continue your education?

Activities Related

How do you like to spend your time outside of work and classes?
What extra-curricular activities did you participate in?
Why did you select those activities?
What opportunities did you have for leadership?
How did these activities affect your work? Your grades?
What goals have you set for yourself outside of work?

Goals

Where do you hope to be in your career in 1 year? In 5 years? In 10 years?
Where do you hope to be in our organization in 1 year? In 5 years? In 10 years?
What are your short and long-term career goals?
When and why did you establish these goals? How are you planning to attain them?
What kind of salary do you expect? In five years?
What do you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?
What do you hope to be known for after you die?

Personal Qualities

How would you describe yourself? How would a close friend (professor, employer) describe you?
Give 3 words that describe you best.
What is your best asset? Your worst liability? What is your greatest strength? Weakness?
Give 3 reasons why you should be hired by our organization.
What do you feel would be your greatest contribution to our organization?
How long will it take you to make a contribution to our organization?
How can our organization help you overcome your worst trait?
Do you enjoy working alone or with other people?
What can you do for us that someone else cannot do?
What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?
Think of a crisis situation, during which things got out of control. Why did it happen? What role did you play?
Are you creative?
What is your typical role as a group member?

Success/Failure

What are your 3 greatest successes? Why?
What are you 3 greatest failures? Why?
What do you feel are the reasons for your successes? Your failures?
What would you do differently to change the failures into successes?

Knowledge of the Organization

Why did you seek a job with our organization?
What do you know about our organization? The industry?
What is your impression of our organization?
Why do you want to work here?
Why should we hire you?
If you were hiring a person for this position, what qualities would you look for?
What criteria are you using to evaluate the organization for which you hope to work? Does our organization match your criteria?

Technical

These vary from industry to industry.
You may be asked to solve a problem.
You may be given a situation and asked how you would respond.

QUESTIONS AN INTERVIEWER SHOULD NOT ASK

Under federal and state equal employment opportunity laws, it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of an applicant's race or ethnic group, national origin or citizenship, religion, sex, age, marital status, or disability. Therefore, raising a topic or asking a question pertaining to any of these protected subjects could be considered discriminatory, if the effect of the pre-employment inquiry is to put the applicant at an employment disadvantage ("adverse impact") and the employer cannot show that the inquiry is related to a bonafide job requirement.

As an applicant, it is not against the law for you to provide this information to prospective employers, but you are under no obligation to do so.

QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK IN AN INTERVIEW

Information About the Organization

What makes your organization different from others?
How did the organization get where it is today?
Where does this organization plan to be in 5 years? in 10 years? in 20 years?
What are the short- and long-term strategic directions of the organization? How does the organization plan to get there?
What is the greatest challenge, from your perspective, that the organization faces in the next year?
What are the core values of this organization?

Position and Infrastructure

How does the job for which I am interviewing fit in with the mission of the organization?
What would a typical day be like in the position for which I am interviewing?
How does this position relate to others in this department?
Which departments would I interact with most?

Advancement Opportunities

What is the organization's policy on promotions?
How is the position for which I am applying evaluated? How often?
How long should a person plan, on average, to be in a position before being eligible for promotion?
Does the organization have formal career paths established?
What is the organization's policy on lateral transfers?
In your opinion, where would the supervisor for this position intend to be in 1 year? in 5 years?

Job Security

How did the opening for which I am applying occur?
Where is the person who held the position before the opening now?
How secure is this position?
Your organization has recently reorganized. Do you anticipate further changes in the next year? Would they affect the position for which I am applying?

Professional Development

Is training provided for the position for which I am interviewing? How is it provided? How long is it provided?
Are training opportunities available through the organization?
What is the organization's policy on continuing education through colleges? Professional seminars?
How does the organization handle days away from work to attend classes or seminars?
Does the organization support membership and participation in professional organizations?

Mobility

What is the organization's policy on relocation?
How often could a person be expected to move in this position?
Does the organization cover relocation expenses?
Does the organization assist with the relocation process (finding housing, job assistance for spouse, etc.)?

Benefits (Best to Ask After an Offer is Made)

What type of benefits program does the organization offer fixed or cafeteria style?
Which of the following are available: medical, dental, vision, accidental death/dismemberment, life insurance, vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, child/dependent care, employee discounts, company car or mileage allowance, clothing allowance, athletic/exercise facilities, bonuses, profit sharing, stock options, retirement plans?
How much does the organization pay for?

Compensation (Best to Ask After an Offer is Made)

What is the starting salary?
What is the maximum salary, if any, for this position?
How are raises awarded? According to tenure? According to merit? Cost of living?
How often is a person eligible for a raise?
How often are paydays?

BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEWS

This section is currently under construction.