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.

• 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, and awards.
  • Research Employer's size, locations, reputation, culture, affinity groups, products/services/brands, growth, and new initiatives.
  • Use Employer websites, Handshake, UMD Library's Resource Guide, LinkedIn, and your connections.
• Practice out loud 
  • Record yourself answering questions
  • Practice with others and/or make an appointment with a Career Development Specialist
  • Practice online with Interviewing.com (see login instructions below)
• 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.  
  • Company Research questions. Why do you want to work here?
  • Credential/Experience questions. How have you used this software? Describe your experience managing budgets.
  • 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? What can I clarify for you? Can I contact your references?
• Questions to ask the employer.
  Have 2-3 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, Equity, & Inclusion.  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. Hopefully you won't be asked questions that ask about your:
  • Age, Criminal History, Disabilities, Ethnicity, Financial Status, Marital Status & Children, Religion, Sexual Orientation, or Veteran's Status.
  • If you are asked an illegal question, you could: 1) Answer anyway; 2) Decline to answer; 3) Ask for question clarification, e.g. Are you curious if I'm able to work nights & weekends?

Use the SAR method to share a specific example:

• Situation. Give brief context.
• Action. Describe your actions.
• Results. Share results or learning.

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.

• 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