Interviewing

• Update & tailor. Edit your resume and cover letter with key words. Confirm your references.
• Get materials reviewed. Get your application materials for typos, content, relevance by friends, family, faculty, staff or the Career Center!
• Meet Employers. Participate in Career Fairs, On-Campus Interviews, Events, etc.
• Make Connections. Chat with Alums, Interns, Graduate Assistants, Family & Friends, Customers, etc.
• Apply for positions. For tips, see our Job & Internship Strategies & About Handshake pages.
• Follow the Directions. Meet the application deadline, submit required materials, include minimum qualifications, sign up for an interview time.

Screening Interviews: phone, email, video, pre-recorded. These interviews are scheduled to gather some basic information about you, your qualifications, and your interest in the position/organization. They are usually scheduled for 15-30 minutes (but may be longer). After the screening they may schedule a longer interview with you, possibly on-site, or let you know if you are moving forward in the interview process, and what are the next steps. It can also help you determine if this is an opportunity you want to continue to pursue.

On-campus interviews. These interviews are typically arranged through Handshake. They may also be associated with career fairs and scheduled during the fair, the day before, or day after.

Video interviews. These could be pre-recorded (asynchronous) where you record yourself on your own time responding to a list of questions provided, or scheduled (synchronous). Scheduled video interviews could also be individual or group/panel.

Group/Panel interviews. This could be multiple interviewers and/or multiple candidates meeting together at the same time for an interview.

On-site interviews. These interviews are scheduled at the place of employment. Make sure you are clear on where you need to go, where to park, or any additional information you need to bring (e.g., photo id). Clarify which costs will be covered by the employer and how to get reimbursed for expenses, if applicable. You may sometimes be asked to prepare a short presentation, bring a work sample, or a portfolio.

Follow-up interviews. These are typically longer, possibly on-site, and you may meet with additional people related to your potential position. They may ask more technical questions about the job/industry for which you are applying. You may be asked to perform certain tasks related to the job, participate in role-play scenarios, or take skills-based or interest assessments.

• Know yourself & your needs vs. wants
  • Brainstorm your knowledge, skills, and abilities. Prepare to share specific examples.
  • Show your interest and ability to contribute to the workplace.
  • Know why you are interested in the employer & position
  • Know your availability & needs vs. wants
• Research Employers (e.g. Why are you interested in working here?)
  • Review mission, vision, values, philosophy, annual reports, community engagement, news/social media, inclusive practices, and any other factors important to you.
  • Research employer's size, locations, reputation, culture, affinity groups, products/services/brands, growth, new initiatives, and populations served.
  • Use employer websites, Handshake, LinkedIn, and your connections to conduct your organization research.
• Practice common interview strategies 
  • Review any tips the employer gives you on possible interview topics or questions.
  • Practice discussing your core skills, strengths, accomplishments, experiences, and unique characteristics out loud. Meet with our staff to help you practice.
  • Review your resume, transcript, projects, portfolio, and LinkedIn profile so the information is fresh in your mind.
  • Identify minimum or preferred qualifications from the job posting that you like to highlight with evidence that supports how you meet or exceed those qualifications.
  • Prepare questions to ask employers.
  • Use tools available to search common interview questions for the position, field, and/or specific employer.
• Confirm interview details
  • Date & time including time zone
  • Modality (virtual or in-person)
  • Location, dress code, etc.

• Timeframe: From interview process to start date averages between 19 - 43 days. 
• Advertising & Recruiting: Employer post & announces opening on company website and other job sites. Reaches out to their network for referrals.
• Candidate Review: Employer reviews and ranks candidates to determine who to ask to interview.
• Interviews: Employer conducts one or more rounds of interviews, narrowing it down to top candidates, and invites finalists for in person interviews.
• Reference Checks:  Employer checks 2 - 3 references that you provided.
• Job offer(s): Employer offers the position to first choice and down the list until a candidate accepts. Or starts process over for failed search.
• You accept the job! Negotiate your salary, benefits, and start date then email a formal acceptance letter. Send a resignation letter to your current employer (typically giving a two week minimum notice.)
• Background checks & new hire paperwork: Typically you will work with Human Resources to complete these forms.
• Start new job! Complete new employee orientation, get your office keys, company email, etc. Thank your references!

• Interview modality & audiences
  • Virtually, in person, or by phone.
  • Each round (if more than 1 interview) could be in a different modality.
  • Multiple interviews may involve different audiences (group/co-workers, panel/search committee, presentation, supervisor, etc.)
• What will they ask me? 
  The same questions and interview length will be given to each candidate.  E.g. 8 questions & 30 minutes.  Sometimes you will receive the questions ahead of time.
  
  Types of Questions:
  • Opening questions. Tell me about yourself. Tell me about your background.
  • Company Research questions. Why do you want to work here? What do you know about our organization?
  • Credential/Experience questions. How have you used this software? Describe your experience managing budgets. Discuss your teaching experience.
  • Opinion questions. What qualities does a good supervisor have? What have you learned from your mistakes?
  • Behavioral questions. Describe a challenging situation and how you handled it.
  • Personal style questions. What motivates you? How would your co-worker describe you?
  • Closing questions. What questions do you have for me? Is there anything else you would like to add before we close the interview? Why should we select you?
• Questions to ask the employer.
  Have 3-5 questions to ask. Questions already answered? Share the questions you were going to ask. 
  
  Ask about:
  • Work culture. What is your favorite part of working here? How would you describe the work environment?
  • The position. What are key challenges facing the person in this position? What are your expectations for this role?
  • Commitment to diversity of views and experiences.  Do you have any affinity groups to support diverse populations? What social justice causes do you support?
  • Next steps. What are the next steps? When should I expect to hear from you?
• Illegal questions. Interviews should not ask candidates about protected or personal topics during an interview.
  • Includes questions about: age, disability, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, family or pregnancy status, financial situation, or veteran status.
  • If you are asked an illegal question, you are not required to answer. However, you can respond in several respectful ways: refocus on qualifications, clarify intent, answer if you're comfortable, redirect to relevant information, or politely set a boundary.

Use the STAR method to share a specific example:

• Situation. Briefly describe the context. Include relevant background and where/when the experience took place. Keep it concise and focused on what the interviewer needs to understand the situation. 
• Task. Describe your specific responsibility or objective. What were you expected to do? What challenge or goal were you working toward?
• Action. Explain the steps you took to address the situation or complete the task. Emphasize specific skills or strengths you demonstrated while taking actions. Identify how you handled challenges or obstacles. 
• Results. Share the outcome of your actions. When possible, include measurable results (e.g., time saved, improved performance, increased engagement). Conclude with any key takeaway or what you learned from the experience.

Strategies to display calm & confidence:

• Breathe & Smile. Both are relaxation strategies. 
• Pause. It is o.k. to think about your response before answering.
• Repeat the question. Gives you a moment to organize your thoughts.
• Clarify. Rephrase the question, and ask if that is what they are looking for?
• Pass. State that you do not have experience in that area, but are willing to learn.

• Arrive approximately 10-15 minutes early.
• Bring the following materials: folder, copies of your application materials, notebook, pen and/or pencil, and a list of your questions for the interviewer.
• Turn off or silence your phone.
• Treat everyone you encounter with respect. Everyone you meet may play a role in the hiring process no matter their position.
• Remember that you are also interviewing them to determine if this is the right environment for you!
• If one is not offered, it is okay to ask beforehand for a printed copy of the interview questions to reference during your interview (especially during an in-person interview).

• Reflect & record key details. Questions asked, interviewers’ names & contact info, new information shared, next steps, benefit details, things to improve on for next time.
• Send a thank you letter. Send after an interview, career conversation, career fair session, or networking event. Read A Perfect Interview Thank You for tips. 
• Follow up. Weighing different offers with deadlines?  Follow up once in method stated by employer.
• Withdraw application? You realized during the interview this opportunity or employer was not for you.  Send an email to withdraw your application.

Find out more on our How to Navigate Offers page!

Including how to:

• Prepare for an offer
• Evaluate an offer
• Negotiate an offer and/or salary
• Accept an offer
• Reject an offer
• Increase your changes of receiving an offer