Interviewing Preparation: Tips and Suggestions

Table of Contents
page 1

Dressing for an Interview

page 6

Inside the Mind of an Employer..

page 2

Common Questions Asked by Employers

page 7

Before the Interview...

page 3

Responding to Inappropriate / Illegal Questions

page 8

During the Interview

page 4

Appropriate Questions for Candidates to Ask.. page 9

After the Interview

page 5

Common Factors Leading to Job Rejections.. page 9

Your Interview Goals:

1.

2.

Sell yourself by describing skills and experiences

Employers Interview Goals:

1.

that match the job, and demonstrating that you

the job by evaluating their skills, experience, and

have a sense of direction in your career.

personality.

Get information about the position and

2.

organization not found online or in writing.

3.

Determine whether the candidate can succeed at

Determine whether the position and organization

Assess the candidates fit with a work team

and/or organization.

3.

Sell the organization and the position.

are right for you.

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
Informational Interview: Generally, this is an interview setup by you with a human resources manager or department
supervisor in a career field of interest. The primary goal of this interview is for you to gather insider information regarding a
particular career, job or company. This information can help you make a decision or validate a decision to pursue a career in
the industry or position in question. Additionally, you may gain invaluable advice and suggestions regarding how to best
position yourself for success in a specific field. An informational interview may also produce job leads, that is, if you make a
good impression, you may walk away with names of people your interviewee recommends you meet with.
Screening Interview / Phone Interview: Typically, this is the hiring step an employer takes after all resumes for a position
have been reviewed. These interviews may last 15 to 30 minutes and may take place either in person or over the phone. The
purpose of this interview is to assess a candidates skills and personality to determine if they are capable of meeting the
basic/minimum job functions of the position. Ultimately, employers want to screen out those applicants they should not
hire due to a lack of skills/experiences or poor first impression and screen in those candidates they feel should be further
interviewed. Your job during this preliminary step is to convince an employer that you are worthy to take the next step.

Page 1

Interviewing Preparation: Tips and Suggestions

Types of Interviews..

General / Structured Interview: This is the type of interview most think of when they talk about interviewing. This interview may be
combined with a screening interview due to time constraints in the hiring process. You can expect to meet and be interviewed by the
supervisor over the position for which you are interviewing as well as additional staff with whom you would be working. As an
extension of a screening interview, in this interview you will be discussing the specifics of the position and company for which you are
applying.
Group / Panel Interview: This can be the most intimidating type of interview for most given the amount of people involved and
pressure of feeling as though all eyes are on you or you must do better than the person next to you. There are two variations of
the group interview. You may meet alone and be interviewed by a panel of anywhere from two to five interviewers, or you may be
included in a group of several candidates being interviewed by two to three interviewers, at the same time. Employers may use this
type of interview to save time in the hiring process as well as observe how well you perform under pressure and in group settings.

INSIDE THE MIND OF AN EMPLOYER

When interviewing, most employers look for certain desirable characteristics and skill sets, including:

Excellent listening skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills
Problem-solving skills
Proven ability to get along with co-workers, i.e., interpersonal skills
Dedication, reliability and good attendance record

In order to assess and evaluate your strengths in these areas, an interviewer may ask behaviorally-based questions or conduct a
behavioral interview. The interviewers intention will be to discover how you, the interviewee, acted and responded in past, specific
employment-related situations. The logic being that how you behaved in previous situations will predict how you will behave in the
future, i.e., past performance predicts future performance. An example of a behaviorally-based question would be, Have you
handled a difficult situation with a co-worker? How?
To prepare for a behavioral interview, refresh your memory regarding special situations you have encountered and appropriately
dealt with, as you may be able to use them to frame responses. Recall and prepare stories that illustrate times when you successfully
overcame challenges or performed memorably. Finally, when responding, use the STAR method (see below). Remember, you want to
ensure that the outcome of the story you share reflects positively on you!

S.T.A.R. Method
Situation: Briefly describe the situation you were in, provide background and context. Give enough detail for the interviewer(s) to
get it.
Tasks:
Identify the task(s) or goal(s) you set out to accomplish. This step may reflect your strategy/approach.
Action:
Describe the actions you took to address the situation. What did you do specifically? What skills did you use?
Results:
Describe the outcome. What happened? What did you learn or achieve? How might you do things differently next time?

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BEFORE THE INTERIVEW

Know yourself, know the employer/organization, prepare responses to commonly asked questions, develop a list of questions to ask
and practice. Follow these steps to help you effectively prepare for an interview.

Review your resume: make sure you know your resume well enough that you can discuss every line if necessary!
Assess yourself: evaluate and be prepared to discuss your strengths and weaknesses, interests, education and skill sets.
Develop your career objectives: be prepared to articulate your career goals, highlighting how these goals fit in with the position
and organization you are interviewing for.

Research the employer: research its history, present day standing and future directions. Explore the companys website,
company brochures, yearend statements, trade journals, local Chamber of Commerce, professional organizations and media
coverage. Develop an understanding of their mission and vision, size and locations, organizational structure, services/products
offered, sales volume and competitors.

Conduct informational interviews: with alumni, current and/or previous employees of the organization with whom you have
been referred. Remember, with every interaction you have the potential to leaven an impression, for better or for worse.

Practice, Practice, Practice: conduct a mock-interview with a colleague, friend, family member or Career Development Center
professional. Keep in mind that the less familiar you are with your mock-interviewer, the more likely you are to experience and
have the opportunity to practice managing the real life anxiety and pressure you can expect during your actual interview.
Prepare responses to commonly asked questions and rehearse them to ensure a professional and articulate performance. Prepare
a list of questions to ask of the interviewer(s).

Choose your interview attire: try it on after you pick it out and model it for a friend. Be certain it is laundered and pressed.
Business attire is appropriate for most interviews, unless otherwise notified. See interview clothing tips later in this guide.

Complete a walkthrough: If your interview is off campus, take a test drive to the location where you will be interviewing. Be
aware of how long the commute took, consider whether traffic will increase the drive time and by how much, and identify parking
options and requirements (metered, fee, free parking, etc.). Be sure to check the weather for the day you are interviewing and
prepare accordingly.

Make necessary arrangements: be sure that you make all necessary arrangements to ensure you will be free of distractions and
stressors the day of the interview. Be sure you have secured reliable transportation and have an adequate back-up plan to address
any unforeseen challenges. Finally, get a good nights rest!

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DURING THE INTERVIEW

This is what you have been preparing for, take a deep breath and acknowledge all the preparation you have put into today.
Remember, performance anxiety is normal; in fact it can be helpful up to a point. To combat nervousness and anxiety before an
interview, find a relaxation strategy that works for you, such as listening to a favorite song, deep breathing, visual imagery,
meditation, etc., and rely upon it to calm your mind and improve your focus. Below are some additional tips and considerations to
make throughout the actual interview process.

Responding to Questions

Create a Good First Impression

Check your grooming, hygiene and appearance.

Avoid strong scents such a perfumes/colognes,

as the employer discusses the organization,

eating odorous foods, smoking, or drinking coffee

position, and/or unique circumstances/challenges.

before an interview.

imply and highlight your interest and knowledge of

cover letter.

the organization and position.

Arrive 10-15 minutes early and dont appear

statements before replying, listen to the entire

Once you arrive onsite, your interview has begun.

question before constructing a response.

Be aware of how you are presenting yourself,

Respond with confidence and enthusiasm.

especially non-verbally, as you may unknowingly

Speak and enunciate clearly. Use proper grammar.

walk by someone involved in the interviewing or

Use descriptive examples when sharing

experiences.

Greet everyone with respect and professionalism,

Stay on topic, try not to ramble.

from grounds keepers to executives.

Be prepared to respond to employer concerns or

negatively construed aspects of your background.

Greet people using their names, offer a firm

handshake, make eye contact, and smile. Avoid

NEVER criticize a former employer.

sitting down until invited to do so.

NEVER bring up salary or benefits in the first

Again, be aware of your non-verbal

interview. If you are asked to provide expectations,

communication, including posture, facial

ask the employer about the positions salary range

expressions, hand gestures and nervous habits.

first.

Demonstrate positive energy and enthusiasm that

ensure you are coming off as genuine and not
faking it. Be yourself!
Remember, even small talk counts. Everything you
say and do may be evaluated.

Use active listening let the employer finish

hurried or rushed.

Wrapping Up Well

fits with your personality style. In other words,

When seeking clarification, your questions should

Prepare and take extra copies of your resume and

hiring process.

Remain attentive and seek clarification, if needed,

Remain calm. Take moments to refocus, if needed.

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Final impressions are as important as first.

If unclear, ask about the next steps in the process.
Express gratitude and thanks for being hosted.
Shake the interviewers hand and be sure to leave
with business cards (for thank you letters).

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

After an interview, once an employer thanks you for coming in and interviewing, the formal interview has concluded; however, the
employer has not completed their evaluation of you as a prospective employee. What you do following an interview can be as
important as what you did prior to and during, in regards to improving your chances of being hired.

Prepare and Send Thank You Letters or Emails: express your gratitude, acknowledge the meeting, reiterate a couple of
important points you made during the interview, and/or provide information you forgot to mention. Keep your letters /emails brief
and send them within 24 hours of your interview (see thank you letter handout).

Prepare for salary negotiations: know what the position pays in similar size companies (review the NACE salary survey in our
centers library and/or visit the O*Net online) as you do not want to sell yourself short or overprice yourself. Know your bottom
lineconsider your living expenses and what you absolutely need to live on. Remember to consider the entire benefits package,
health, life, vision and dental insurance and vacation days.

Following-up: if the discussed follow-up timeframe has passed and an employer has not followed-up with you, wait a few days and
email or call the employer to inquire as to the status of the position and your candidacy. If you werent given a timeframe, it is
appropriate to follow-up with an employer a week after the initial interview. However, never stalk an employer and dont be
paranoid if you dont quickly hear back from them, as hiring may not be their top priority or they may be out of town for business. A
delay in their response is not always an indicator of disinterest.

If you are offered the position: thank the employer and ask for time to consider. It is wise to take at least 24 hours to evaluate
an offer, but do not drag things on. Ask the employer when they need to know your decision.

Declining a job offer: thank the employer for their job offer and express regret that you will not be able to accept their offer at
this time. If you wish, provide reasoning as to your decision, being sure to include aspects that attracted you to the job. Remain
friendly and tactful throughout, as you do not want to burn any bridges with them.

Withdrawing from consideration: inform the employer if you no longer wish to remain in consideration for the job so that you
can be removed from the active list of candidates. State your appreciation for the interview(s) and remain friendly and tactful so as
to maintain an amicable relationship with the employer. Provide reasoning if you wish.

Response to being declined for a job: be sure to demonstrate a positive attitude and express gratitude for having been
considered. If so desired, suggest that you would be interested in similar positions within the organization as they become available.
If you anticipate reacting poorly to being declined for a job, talk about this with someone as soon as your complete your interview
so that you can prepare accordingly. Remember, recruiters and hiring personnel know one another and you do not want to hurt
your chances of being hired elsewhere due to expressing a negative or unprofessional reaction after being declined for a job.

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DRESSING FOR AN INTERVIEW

We cannot overstate the importance of maintaining a professional appearance during an interview. Your interviewers will develop a
visual impression of you within the first 10 seconds of meeting. Be aware of your physical appearance, dress conservatively; be neat,
clean and tidy. Remember, what you say is as important as how you present the information.

MEN

WOMEN

Wear a solid colored suit or sports coat with color

coordinated pants.
Choose a neutral or dark suit
color navy, black or gray
are appropriate. Subtle
stripes are fine, but avoid
bold prints and patterns.
Light colored rather than
dark, and cotton or
cotton blend long sleeve
shirts are conservative options.
Be sure your shirt is pressed and free of wrinkles.
Wear a tie. It should be darker than the color of
your shirt. Avoid bold prints and patterns.
Wear leather shoes. Your shoes should be color
coordinated with your socks and belt and should
be polished.
Keep jewelry to a minimum, no more than two
pieces, ex. a watch and a ring.
Make sure your nails are trimmed and clean
Maintain a neat, trimmed hairstyle.
Minimize colognes and aftershaves, as many
people are allergic.
Carry a professional portfolio or padfolio.

Wear a two-piece matched pant or skirt suit.

Choose solid colors and conservative prints; avoid
bold patterns, which can be distracting.
Appropriate color choices include navy blue, black,
brown, dark green, dark red, burgundy or gray.
Skirt length should reach the knee or longer, and
should cover your thighs when seated. High skirt
slits are not considered appropriate for a
professional environment.
Silky and rayon blouses look dressier than cottons.
Choose a conservative neckline.
Wear shear, plainly styled (no patterns) stockings
in a soft neutral color complementing your suit.
Closed toe and moderate height
heels are best. Avoid sandals,
stilettos and chucky platforms.
Keep jewelry to a minimum, leaning toward simple
and conservative.
Fingernails should be trimmed to a reasonable
length and polish color should be neutral.
Minimize perfume, as many people are allergic.
Avoid big bags, choose a small and simple
purse/handbag or carry a portfolio.

What NOT to Bring to an Interview:

Gum (to freshen breath, chew a few breath mints before the interview).
Turn off or silence cell phones.
iPods/ MP3 devices, iPads/tablets, or other personal electronics.
If you have several piercings, remove jewelry with the exception of conservative earrings.
Cover visible tattoos.

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COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED BY EMPLOYERS

GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Tell me about yourself.
Why/how are you qualified for this position?
What do you know about our organization? Our
products? Services? Competition?
Why do you want to work here?
What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
What can you offer us?
Why should we hire you rather than another candidate?
Define success. Failure.
Have you experienced failure?
What did you learn?
Of which three achievements are you most proud?
Who are your role models? Why?
What motivates you?
Have you had difficulty getting along with a professor
(supervisor, co-worker)? Explain.
Do you prefer to work independently or with
supervision?
How do you prioritize your tasks?
YOUR EDUCATION
How did you choose your college?
Why did you choose your major?
Which classes do you like best? Least? Why?
Would you change anything about your education?
In which campus activities did you participate?
Do your grades accurately reflect your ability?
Why or why not?
Did you pay for any portion of your education?
YOUR EXPERIENCE
What did you most/least enjoy about your last Job or
internship?
Which skills do you enjoy using?
Have you ever spoken before a group of people?
Did you work while going to school?
Have you ever quit a job? Withdrawn from a course?
Have you ever done any volunteer work?
How would a former supervisor describe you and your
work?

YOUR CAREER GOALS

Describe your ideal job.
What other types of positions are you considering?
Describe your ideal work environment.
Where do you want to be in five years?
Do you plan to go to graduate school?
Would you be willing to relocate?
BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEWING QUESTIONS
Describe a project or experience where you worked as
part of a team.
Discuss a situation where you resolved a conflict.
Demonstrate your leadership skills.
Tell about a time when you persuaded someone or
successfully pitched an idea.
Describe a time when you worked under stress and
demonstrated your coping skills.
Give an example of a situation in which you provided a
solution or improved something for an employer.
Give me an example of a time when you set and then
achieved a specific goal.
Describe a time when you had to conform to a policy
with which you did not agree.
Tell me about a time when you had too much to do and
how you prioritized your tasks.
Share an experience that demonstrates your willingness
to go above and beyond the call of duty to get a job
done?
Describe the most significant written report that youve
completed.
Have you ever had to make an unpopular decision? Give
an example.
Whats the best example of how you think logically and
use sound judgment?
Tell me about a difficult decision youve made in the past
year.
Describe a situation where you failed.
Give an example of how youve taken initiative.
How have you dealt with a co-worker or subordinate
who was incompetent?
How have you handled an emotional reaction or
personality conflict with someone?
Describe an instance when you had to think on your feet.

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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AS AN INTERVIEWEE

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Act has established criteria and guidelines that employers must follow when conducting job
interviews. There are certain questions that are illegal for employers to ask you, as the interviewee.
Specifically, interview questions must be job-related; that is, necessary to judge an applicants competence for the job in question.
Employers should not ask questions concerning:
Marital and/or Family Status

Ancestry, National Origin, Race or Color

Religious, Political and/or Organizational Affiliations

Gender Identity

Age (except to ensure minimum age requirements by law)

Sexual Orientation

Mental/Physical Disability

Language skill (unless necessary requirement for job)

Military Record

Photograph (requested before hiring)

Arrests

Relatives

Credit Ratings (unless written consent is obtained)

Pregnancy

HOW TO HANDLE ILLEGAL OR INAPPROPRIATE QUESTIONS

Most individuals interviewing for well-established organizations will not encounter these types of questions, as their hiring personnel
should be well versed in equal employment laws. Most times when an individual is asked a seemingly inappropriate question, it is done
so inadvertently. There are several ways you may address such questions:
1.
2.

3.
4.

Deflect the question. Simply reiterate why you are a good candidate for the job and ignore the actual question.
You may give an honest, assertive but non-contentious reply. Example:
a. Interviewer: Does your spouse mind if you travel?
b. Candidate: We are completely supportive of each others career endeavors
You may give an antagonistic reply such as, That is an illegal question and I dont have to answer it. Such a reply may risk
ending an employers consideration of you for the position, as it would reflect upon your interpersonal skills.
Address the employers concern, not the question. Example:
a. Interviewer: Do you have children or plan on having children?
b. Candidate: If you are concerned about my ability to maintain life-work balance, I assure you that I am prepared to set
healthy boundaries that will allow me to meet my obligations professionally.

If you feel that your legal rights have been violated during an interview, we encourage you to notify and discuss this with the Career
Development Center. If desired we can refer you to the appropriate government agency.

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APPROPRIATE QUESTIONS FOR CANDIDATES TO ASK DURING AN INTERIVEW

1.

What would a typical first assignment be?

2.

What type of orientation would I have?

3.

What type of training programs do you have?

4.

What can I expect in terms of job progression in your organization?

5.

How often would my performance be reviewed?

6.

Are there any new offices or sites being planned?

7.

Are there any plans for new goods or services?

8.

What percentage of supervisory positions are filled from within the organization?

9.

How much travel is normally expected?

10. How do you (the interviewer) like working here?

11. What are you doing in the local community?
12. What are the next steps in the interview process?

INTERIVEW KILLERS: NEGATIVE FACTORS AND COMMENTS FREQUENTLY LEADING TO JOB REJECTIONS
Poor personal appearance

Not enough examples when responding

Overbearing, aggressive or arrogant behavior

Lack of maturity

Inability to express self clearly, poor voice dictation or and

Lack of courtesy
No interest in company or industry

spoken grammar
Lack of researching the company or organization

Emphasis on whom candidate knows

Lack of planning for career, no purpose or goals

Intolerant, strong prejudices

Lack of interest and enthusiasm

Lack of appreciation of the value of experience

Lack of confidence and poise, increased nervousness

Late to interview with no good reason

Over-emphasis on money

Never heard of company

Unwilling to start at the bottom, expects too much too soon

Failure to express appreciation for interviewers time

Makes excuses, is evasive and harps on trouble areas

Asks no questions about the job

Sources: Adapted from Tufts University Career Services, University of Delaware Career Services, Virginia tech Career Services interviewing resources.

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