Preparing for the Interview

 

Pre-Interview

  • Review the job posting you applied to.
  • Review your skills and experience that relate to the position you applied to.
  • Familiarize yourself with Performance Based and Behavior Descriptive interview questions.
  • Performance based question example:
    • In your current or previous role, can you describe a time where you had to pay close attention to small details in order to be successful?
  • Behavior descriptive question example:
    • Can you describe a time in your professional career when you were faced with a conflict with a peer? How did you handle it and what was the outcome?
  • Familiarize yourself with the STAR Method described below.
  • STAR Method: When preparing your responses to behavior descriptive interview questions, we recommend using the STAR method. This is a logical way to provide the interview team the information they are looking for.
    • Situation: Describe a situation you were involved in. The situation can be from a previous job, a volunteer experience, school or any other relevant event.
    • Task: Describe the tasks that were involved in the situation.
    • Action: What actions did you take? Focus on and highlight your individual actions or contributions even if you were working as part of a team.
    • Result: What results were achieved due to your actions?

What TO DO during the interview:

  • Come prepared having researched the company.
  • Be on time.
  • Be enthusiastic and smile.
  • Bring a copy of your resume, a notebook, and pen.
  • Relate your skills, accomplishments, and objectives to the needs of the company.
  • Use the STAR Method outlined above.
  • Keep eye contact.
  • Make sure to ask questions at the end of the interview.
  • Ask about next steps.

What NOT TO DO during the interview:

  • Do not be arrogant.
  • Do not speak negatively about your last place of employment.
  • Do not be late.
  • Do not lie or exaggerate.
  • Do not go on your phone.
  • Do not check the time.
  • Do not act desperate.
  • Do not come unprepared.
  • Do not be rude.

Post-Interview

  • Send a Thank You note to your Interviewer.
  • Be Patient.