WHAT IS A JOB INTERVIEW?

Simply put, it is when the employer meets with you to determine if you have the right
qualifications to do the available job. It is also an opportunity for the employer to identify
whether or not you fit the company culture. Are you a team player? Do you have the same
values and work ethics as other employees? It is also a chance for you to show evidence that
you have the right qualities needed.

Pre-Interview Research

Research and analyze the position and the company before the interview in effort to
determine whether or not there is a fit. Take the time to prepare your own thoughtful
questions for interviewers to respond to during the interview so that you are able to better
determine whether or not the position and company are a fit for you. Glassdoor– a job-search
app, can be a useful tool for your research.

THINGS TO CONSIDER IN YOUR RESEARCH:

 Is this where you want to go to work every day?

 Does the job description interest you? Are their values well aligned with your own?
 Know how long they have been in business.
 What their major product is.
 Know why you would want to work there and what you will contribute to the
company.
 What are they known for?
 Who are their customers/clients (profile)?
 What is the “culture”?

Be your best self

Should you be yourself during the interview? Yes! Your very BEST self! Don’t sit in the
waiting room with your legs stretched out, phone in hand, with a chilled out demeanor. Leave
your phone in the car! Stand up and greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, and
certainly not a limp handshake which might suggest a weak character. Smile and make eye
contact. Remember that those first few seconds are a great opportunity to create a great
impression.

Avoid the classic negative body language traits; don’t cross your arms as this can be
interpreted as defensive and try to sit forward and make direct eye contact to demonstrate
your enthusiasm for the position.

The #1 traits hiring managers look for in candidates is a positive attitude. SHOW them that, if
you work for them, you will be a team player who will follow directions and take initiative.
That you can do the work!

THE INTERVIEW

Most interviews have a schedule – which makes it easier to follow along and prepare. The
employer will talk about their organization, ask about your skills and experience and what you
have to offer. A sample problem or situation may be offered for you to offer a solution. Think
through it and analyze it like a class problem. Teamwork is important to offer as are concise
answers. A timeline will usually be offered. If not, ask for one.
When asked a question during an interview remember to keep your answers short. While it is
true that you should answer many of the questions in a precise manner, there are also
instances where you have to give detailed and somewhat longer answers. If you are asked
about a specific task in your previous job that you performed really well, be sure to elaborate
on your answer. Providing too short of a response to a question requiring an example means
you’re not selling yourself well enough. That said, be sure not to ramble. Generally, limit your
more detailed responses to 2-3 minutes. You can practice this by rehearsing verbal
presentations of key qualifications in your resume.

Be ready to convey your relevant skills, interests, and goals. Practice explaining your strengths
and accomplishments ahead of time and have your elevator pitch ready. If they ask you what
your salary expectation, it is a good idea to know the starting salary range for your major so
that you are able to provide realistic information. Indeed.com or glassceiling.com are good
Internet sites to use when checking into general salary ranges. Generally, salary is not
discussed during the interview. The key objective for you and the employer is to determine the
mutual fit and how you can add value. Compensation talk comes last – after they’re sold on
you.

HOW TO ANSWER COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Question: Tell me about yourself.

How to answer: This is your opportunity to discuss who you are as a professional. Be sure to
mention your education, experience, skills, possibly even why you chose this career path. Keep
your response focused on who you are as a professional.

2. Question: What are three of your greatest strengths?

How to answer: Be thoughtful and honest in your response. Describe the skills you have that
are most relevant to the position. Be prepared to back up your response with an example. You
can provide examples of how your strengths have worked for you in the past and discuss the
ways the skills could benefit you in the position you are interviewing for.

3. Question: What are three of your weaknesses?

How to answer: Be honest, but be cautious of stating that your weakness is what they are
looking for an employee… Think about the job duties described in the job postings and try not
to point out weaknesses that would be a major obstacle should you be hired. It is also wise to
discuss how you are working on the weakness. Do not respond with “I can’t really think of
anything”.

4. Question: Why should we hire you?

How to answer: Be sure to point out qualities/skills/attributes that you possess that may set
you apart from other candidates. Do you have certifications that others may not? Demonstrate
confidence without sounding conceited. Illustrate your worth as an employee by talking about
what past and present supervisors would say about you. Make sure you highlight your
uniqueness to show you would be the best candidate for the position.
5. Question: Describe a leader you admire.

How to answer: You do not have to know the person in order imitate their leadership, but it
may be more realistic if you do. Be sure you list someone that you believe has effective
leadership and know why you feel they are successful in leading. Refrain from choosing a
controversial leader. Discuss why you admire this person, what is it about their leadership that
made you choose them. What are some of the lessons you learned from this person and how
could you incorporate that into your life.

6. Question: Tell me about a time when you had to extend a deadline.

How to answer: You do not want to give a negative view of your accountability. Your answer
should not indicate that you have poor time management skills or poor work ethic. Discuss
your willingness to adjust a deadline if you think it will add to the overall quality of the project.
What could happen if you had not adjusted the deadline. What steps did you take to extend
the deadline?

7. Question: Where do you see yourself in five years?

How to answer: This is one question you would not answer specifically. If you would like to see
yourself in management, it is fine to say so, but you may not want to list a specific title you
would like to hold. Be realistic. Consider the company you are interviewing with, their
opportunities for advancement and how that will fit into your five year plan.

8. Question: Why are you leaving your current job?

How to answer: Give two or three reasons why you are looking for a new position. Regardless
of your feelings towards your supervisor and co-workers, refrain from talking negatively about
them. This is a good opportunity to discuss the fact that you will be obtaining (recently
obtained) a degree and you are looking for an opportunity to use the knowledge you gained
through your education.

9. Question: Why do you feel you would be a good fit for this position?

How to answer: Consider the skills and characteristics that you possess that could help you
succeed in the position you are interviewing for. Think about the kind of person that would be
perfectly compatible with the job duties. Discuss how you stay current in the field.

10. Question: What do you look for in a good supervisor?

How to answer: Be sure to discuss the qualities, traits, characteristics that you look for in a
supervisor. Discuss the characteristics, do not just list them.

11. Question: If you were hired how could your supervisor help you do the best on the job?

How to answer: Discuss what you would want to see from your supervisor in the first weeks of
your new position… Training, what type of supervision would you expect as you begin, things
they could to do assist you in getting acclimated to the position, etc.

12. Question: Tell me about your relationship with your current and past supervisors

How to answer: This question will give the interviewer a sense of your personality and how it
relates to the prospective supervisor. How you discuss your past supervisors will give insight to
the way you work and any potential problems that may arise. AVOID being negative! Be
honest, but try to put a positive spin on it. If you didn’t get along well discuss what you learned
about yourself, etc.

13. Question: Talk about a work environment that you think would be ineffective for you.

How to answer: What do you need to have a positive work environment, or things that could
have been better at a previous environment? Discuss how it would be ineffective without
those things. You could consider the importance of: communication, feedback, ability to infuse
a personal touch on projects, etc. Would having these items make the work place more or less
effective?

14. Question: In your previous experience, would you say you were known for taking the
initiative? If so, provide an example

How to answer: If you are known for taking the initiative be sure to provide a good example of
what you did and why it was taking initiative. If you have not been known to take initiative in
the workplace, provide an example of why.

15. Question: Do you prefer a stable day-to-day routine or a dynamic constantly changing
environment?

How to answer: Be sure to consider the position you are interviewing for. If you prefer
consistency, will this job provide that? If you prefer dynamic constantly changing, will this
position provide that?

16. Question: How well do you handle criticism?

How to answer: You may consider responding that constructive criticism allows you to grow as
a professional.

17. Question: Tell me something about yourself that I will not find in your resume.

How to answer: This is your opportunity to discuss experiences that you may have omitted
from your resume to keep it at one page. Be sure the information you provide is relevant and
not found in your resume. You want to give them something new. If you have won awards that
weren’t noted, if you are currently working on a certificate, but didn’t include it on the resume
because it is not finished… now is the time to bring those things up.

18. Question: Tell me about a time when you showed real determination.

How to answer: Talk about a time when you persevered to accomplish a goal. Choose
something that that will reflect an interest in developing new skills, demonstrates your ability
to gather resources and manage stressful situations. Discuss the results you obtained.

19. Question: How do you manage stress in your daily work?

How to answer: The interviewer is attempting to gain information to see if you have a
tendency to crack under pressure. Be sure you show that you can manage high-pressure
situations. Think of ways you manage your stress throughout the day. Stay professional, and be
sure not to give an example of something that would display you are unproductive during work
hours because of stress.
20. Question: What do you bring to this job that is unique and would make us want to hire
you?

How to answer: Your answer should demonstrate confidence in your abilities without
sounding conceited. Consider what past and present supervisors or co-workers would say
about you. What specific skills do you have that relate to this job? What specific tasks do your
current co-workers/supervisors come to you to complete and why? Be sure to answer the
question, do not just list the same skills that are displayed on your resume.

21. Question: What would your ideal job be like?

How to answer: Your answer should demonstrate confidence in your abilities without
sounding conceited. Consider what past and present supervisors or co-workers would say
about you. What specific skills do you have that relate to this job? What specific tasks do your
current co-workers/supervisors come to you to complete and why? Be sure to answer the
question, do not just list the same skills that are displayed on your resume.

22. Question: Do you prefer working alone or in a group?

How it works: Be honest, but also appear flexible. Consider the values and mission of the
company… is teamwork something they strive for? If you are best at completing tasks alone,
you can honestly say that, but also state that you can work in a group setting, and if you are
better working in a group, that is okay, but be sure to mention you can also complete tasks
individually. Be sure that you consider the typical work day in this position and if you would
normally be working alone or in a group…

23. Question: Why do you want to work here?

How it works: Be sure to consider what you know about this company, their mission, values,
reputation, etc. (be aware of these, but do not recite them in the interview.) Discuss the
reasons why a position in this company is appealing to you. Be sure to be insightful.

MAKE A JOB INTERVIEW IN GROUPS OF 2