Interviews

Preparing for a job interview involves thoroughly researching the company, understanding the role (review the job description), and practicing responses to common interview questions. It is important to review your resume, highlight relevant experiences, and prepare questions to ask the interviewer. To practice questions, you can write out potential answers and record yourself answering them; schedule a mock interview with a Career Advisor to receive feedback.

Dressing appropriately and planning logistics ahead of time will also help reduce stress and make a strong first impression. Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to be on time for the interview.

To successfully enter a job interview, dress professionally and bring any necessary documents, such as copies of your resume or portfolio. Make sure you also turn off all mobile devices or notifications before entering the interview. Greet your interviewer with a confident smile, firm handshake, and polite introduction. Make eye contact, stay calm, and show enthusiasm for the role and company. First impressions matter, so project confidence and professionalism from the moment you walk in.

There are several types of interviews that each serve different purposes.

Common formats include phone or video interview for initial screening, in-person interviews for more in-depth evaluation, and panel interviews where multiple interviewers ask questions. Other types of interviews include behavioral interviewers, which focus on past experiences, and technical interviews, which assess job-specific skills.

Each type of interview requires a slightly different approach and preparation strategy.

Interview questions can vary widely but generally fall into a few main types.

Behavioral questions ask about past experiences to predict future performance (e.g., “Tell me about a time you faced a challenge at work.”).

Situational questions present hypothetical scenarios to assess problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Other types include technical questions, which evaluate job-specific skills, and personal or motivational questions, which seek to understand your goals, values, and cultural fit.

Consider what the interviewer needs to know about you, and provide specific examples using the STAR method when answering behavioral and situational questions:

• Situation: Describe the situation you were in.
• Task: Describe the task you had to complete.
• Action: Describe the action you took to complete that task.
• Result: Describe the result of your actions.

To successfully answer the “Tell me about yourself,” question, give a brief, focused summary of your professional background, key skills, and recent accomplishments that relate to the role.

Start with your current position or most recent experience. Then, highlight relevant past role and what you are looking for next. Keep it concise, confident, and tailored to show how your background aligns with the job. Avoid going into personal details unless they directly support your professional story.

Wrapping up an interview is a critical moment to leave a positive and lasting impression.

Begin by thanking the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to discuss the position. Take a moment to briefly reinforce your interest in the role and highlight how your skills and experience make you a strong fit. This is also an appropriate time to inquire politely about the next steps in the hiring process, demonstrating your proactive engagement.

Finally, conclude with a friendly, confident statement or gesture to ensure you leave the conversation on a professional and enthusiastic note. Do not forget to give the interviewer a handshake as you leave.

After a job interview concludes, it is important to thank the interviewer for their time and express continued interest in the role. Within 24 hours, send a professional thank you email that highlights key points from the conversation and reinforce your enthusiasm. Reflect on how the interview went and note any questions you struggled with to improve for the future. Stay patient while waiting for a response, but be prepared to follow up if you have not heard back within the suggested timeline.