Interviewing

Whether you’re having informal chats at a career fair or a formal, one-on-one interview, you need to prepare to represent yourself well.

Before an interview or career fair

Research companies of interest

For each company that interests you, know the basics:

• Products, services, customers, markets, etc.
• Organizational structure and size
• Mission, goals, and values
• Positions offered/career paths and types of jobs
• Locations of offices, headquarters, etc.
• Marketing campaigns and competitors
• CEO and other upper-level management

Look for background information in the following places:

• Company websites
• Company’s annual report and press releases
• Professional journals, magazines, and other publications

Determine how you could fit

• If you are applying for a specific job, learn as much as you can about it.
• Be able to articulate why you are interested in a specific company.
• Match your qualifications to the company.

Prepare an Elevator Pitch

Prepare a 30-second introduction for yourself. Include:

• Your name
• Your year in school and major/minor
• Career goals or interests
• What makes you unique (club involvement, leadership, work experiences, etc.
• End on a question specific to whom you are speaking with

Example for Creating a Winning 30 Second Elevator Pitch

1. (Who are you?) Hello, my name is ______ (offer handshake)
2. (Mention a link if you have one) ________ suggested I contact you.
3. (Connect yourself to them by mentioning some personal information) I am a ______ studying _________. OR I am interested in ___________.
4. (Schmooze a little – acknowledge that you know a bit about them or have a mutual interest) I see/understand that you ______. I admire what you have done with ____. The _____ with _______ is very interesting.
5. (Ask a leading question) What can you tell me about ________? I would like to hear more about _________.
6. Thank you for your time. (Get contact info!) Do you have a business card?  Here is my card.  (Offer your info) I would love to talk with you more about this.  This is great information.  May I contact you later?

Anticipate questions

• Practice answering questions with a mock interviewer and/or yourself in the mirror
• Prepare three or four stories/experiences that illustrate your past performance using the STAR approach:
  • Situation: Describe the specific situation that you were in. This can be from a previous job, a volunteer experience, or any relevant event.
  • Task: Describe the task you needed to accomplish. What was the goal?
  • Action: Describe the action you took and keep the focus on what you did.
  • Results: Explain the results you achieved. What happened? How did the event end? What did you accomplish? What did you learn?
• Have two or three questions prepared to ask each representative individually.

Questions that interviewers may ask you

• Tell me about yourself.
• What is your most important accomplishment to date?
• What motivates you?
• Why should I hire you?
• Tell me about some of your recent goals and what you did to achieve them?
• What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
• What major problem have you had to deal with recently?
• What is your greatest strength?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• If I were to ask one of your professors or a boss to describe you, what would they say?

Questions that you might ask your interviewers

• What do you like best about your job?
• What do you like best about this company?
• What is the most important quality you are looking for in a candidate for this position?
• What are your expectations for the person you hire?
• What do you see as the main priorities of this position?
• What do you see as the main challenges for this position?
• Do you offer a training program? If so, can you explain it?
• What are the advancement opportunities for this position and the typical time frame for advancement?
• What makes this company/organization different from others?
• What would a typical day be like in this position?
• Where do you see the company headed in the next 3–5 years?
• Can you explain your organizational structure?
• How would you describe your corporate culture?
• I’m excited about this position. What are the next steps in the hiring process?
• What is your timeline for making this hiring decision?

Follow up and Thank You Cards

Send the interviewer an email or handwritten thank-you card within 48 hours. Doing so solidifies your interest in the position, demonstrates your professionalism, and distinguishes you from other candidates.

• Use an appropriate “business-style” card
• Send the card so the employer receives it within two or three days
• Thank the recruiter for their time and prompt consideration
• Don’t talk about yourself (except to briefly mention something important you forgot to say in person)
• Write in a professional and formal manner—no slang or abbreviations
• Keep it simple and brief
• Address the card to the specific individual you talked to using Mr. or Ms.
• If you met multiple people, write to each of them an individual card
• Have someone proofread your cards to avoid errors