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Job Search - Interviewing

Interviewing Resources

  • InterviewStream – free interview practice – see yourself on streaming video!
  • Interviewing
  • Make an appointment for interview practice-READ Interviewing first.
  • For questions and virtual interviews: Monster Career Advice
  • For a practice interview: Interview Coach
  • Google "case interviews", "first interviews", "second interviews" – even "EMC Interviews".
  • Vault – especially on case interviews

Why Bother To Prepare… Watch This!

Top 10 Interviewing Tips

Prepare!

  1. Know yourself. Review your skills, your strengths, your style, your accomplishments, what you’re proud of. Be able to be specific about the contributions you can make. Know your resume backwards and forwards!
  2. Prepare responses to the classic interview questions, with examples. Keep your responses brief and to the point. If you don’t understand a question, ask for clarification. Handle the question from Hell? Blithering wastes time you could be using to make great responses to other questions. Say you can’t answer that question and could you please have another one! Poise and resourcefulness count, too.
  3. Develop examples or stories.  One specific, brief example of what you have done to solve a problem, help a team function, or complete a difficult project is more memorable than a thousand generalities. Choose your examples with care.
  4. Know the company. Its product, mission, what its marketplace is like, who its competitors are, what key issues affect its business. Read annual reports, search for articles, seek out alumni who work at the company or in the field for an insider view.
  5. Prepare questions. Intelligent questions will show your enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity. Never ask a question you could have answered for yourself with a little research.

    Examples
    • What skills and attributes do you most value in your entry-level hires?
    • What do you see as the key issues facing this department in the next couple of years?
    • If I were to be working for you, what should I know about your management style and the culture of this division?
    • What was important to you when you made a decision to come to XYZ?
  6. Organize your stuff. Bring extra copies of your resume, your list of references, your questions, and paper for making notes. Take along a portfolio or other examples of your work if you have them.
  7. Dress for success: conservatively! Even if you know that dress is casual in the company your are visiting, do not dress casually for an interview. A man should wear a suit or jacket and tie, and a woman should wear a suit, skirt or pants and a jacket. Avoid extremes in style, hair, makeup and jewelry. Review dress plans with Career Services if you’re not sure. Or read this Careerbuilder Article for more details!
  8. Create a great first impression!
    • Getting there. Plan ahead how you will get to the interview site. Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Allow for traffic and parking delays.
    • Check your appearance and take a deep breath. Smelling too much of food, smoke or perfume will make you negatively memorable. It’s normal to be nervous. Don’t forget to breathe!
    • Greet everyone you meet politely from the parking attendant to the receptionist. Anyone you meet may be asked how you came across. Remember to smile.
    • Rehearse your greeting.  A good firm handshake, great eye contact, a genuine smile and a confident and energetic hello will start you on your way to a great interview. Practice them all.
  9. Be enthusiastic. Employers want to hire people who want to work for them. Breathe, smile, and show your interest in the job. Also, be sure to send a thank you note after the interview.
  10. Immediately write a thank you email or note. Get cards from everyone who interviews you. Send an individual email or note to each. Use this opportunity to re-state enthusiasm, add more to a response, or ask an engaging question.