Interview Advice

Research

Researching is one of the best strategies to help you ace your interview. To the extent that you can, know who will be interviewing you (sometimes there will be multiple people), learn the questions they will ask (Glassdoor.com has a list of questions for specific companies that may be helpful), and bring extra copies of your professional documents (resume, portfolio, etc.).

You are interviewing the employer as much as they are interviewing you. The steps below will help prepare you and set you apart.

Review the job description in depth

Save the job description for your records to provide a basic outline of topics you should be aware of before walking into the interview. Use it to identify your experiences and qualifications related to the requirements or preferred qualifications listed. You can also use it to shape questions you want to ask the interviewers!

Research the company, organization, and how the role fits into their bigger picture.

Learn as much as possible about your potential employer, including the company values, mission, vision, goals, and top competitors, to name a few. You can do this by reviewing the company website, conducting informational interviews, and searching companies on websites such as Glassdoor, LinkedIn, or Handshake. Incorporating a company;s language goes a long way in demonstrating your "fit" with the company culture.

Identify the interview style and research potential interview questions

Reach out to alums, look on Glassdoor, and connect with people at the company. You'll start to see common themes/patterns emerge. With practice, you can answer almost any question without hesitation.

Types of Interviews

Phone Interviews	A quick and efficient way for employers to guage potential fit and qualifications Typically, 15-30 minutes with an average of 4-6 questions
Virtual Interviews	A standard interview, 30-45 minutes in length, that takes place on a video platform such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams Occasionally conducted through a video platform where a candidate is asked to record themselves asynchronously through programs such as HireVue, Vimeo, or Big Interview Averaging 4-10 questions with an opportunity for the candidate to ask questions of the interviewer(s) Guages candidates' comfort with professional communication in a virtual setting
In-Person Interviews	A standard interview, 30-45 minutes in length, that takes place in a physical location with a single interview or hiring committee Can be conducted at the place of employment or secondary location such as a campus interview room Averaging 4-10 questions with an opportunity for the candidate to ask questions of the interviewer(s)
Case Interviews	Used generally by consulting firms, investment banks, and tech companies Aims to showcase both the analytical and creative skills of the candidate

Learn More About Case Interviews

Prepare your core stories and practice them

You have experiences that could be easily re-shaped and re-worded to answer multiple questions. Rather than writing a script for specific questions, look at the qualifications of a job description and identify experiences and skills that fit a broader scope. For example, participating in a class project could easily cover leadership, organization skills, or problem-solving questions. Write bullet points for these experiences and have them available to reference.

Brainstorm questions for the employer

Prepare 3-5 questions to ask during the interview—make sure the answer is not on their website. Interviews are two-way; asking thoughtful questions shows you are engaged and eager to learn more about the role and company.

Conform interview details and practice your interview

2-3 days before your interview, double-check and confirm all details (i.e., date/time, location, parking, links, etc.). By doing this, employers will note your initiative and organizational skills. Do a test run with all aspects of your interview, such as technology, professional dress, and even the route to the location.

Practice

Now it's time to practice! This section outlines the types of questions you'll encounter in interviews and quick tips for preparing answers, followed by sample questions sorted by the skills employers look for in new employees. Brainstorm 3-5 core stories to reference and connect your experiences and qualifications to the job and company.

Icebreakers & Introduction Questions

These types of questions are sure to be asked at the start of an interview. Effectively articulating your story is key to making a positive impression and presenting yourself as a confident professional.

Common questions like:

"Tell me about yourself"
"Share something about yourself that's not on your resume"
"Walk me through your resume"

Aim for a 50-50 balance between speaking about yourself (i.e., professional values, goals, and qualifications) and the company/position. The goal is to connect with your passions, excitement for this role, and the company.

Pro-Tip: Name names! Show you put in the extra effort to connect with the company through networking and share what you've learned.

Situational or Case Questions

Situational questions, sometimes known as case questions, are designed to showcase the candidate's analytical and creative skills. Consulting firms, investment banks, and tech companies typically use this questioning to shape entire interviews, which can feel intimidating. Don't worry; most employers don't expect a specific answer; instead, the intent is for you to articulate an analytical and creative thought process.

An example of a situational question could be as follows:

An airline finds that, while its revenues are high, the company is still operating at a loss. What is going on?

Learn More About Case Interviews

Pro-Tip: Ask clarifying questions and walk through your thought process out loud to show employers how you think through problems.

Behavioral Questions & the STAR Response Method

STAR (situation, Task, Action, Result) is a formula for responding to behavioral-based questions. When interviewers ask questions, they expect you to articulate the full scope of your experience.

Develop at least 3-5 examples from jobs, internships, classes, and leadership/service experiences. Use the sample questions in the next section to brainstorm scenarios, then use this worksheet to outline your STAR responses.

S	Situation Define the general context and mention the problem to solve.
T	Task Identify the key objective and issue you addressed.
A	Action Share your responsibility in completing the task and skills utilized.
R	Result State the outcome of the situation.

Question: Tell me about a time when you had to lead a team?

S	Situation Last semester, I took a DATA course where I was placed in a team with four sophomores, a junior, and myself.
T	Task Our team created a website for a virtual pharmaceutical company. We needed to use Dreamweaver and HTML components. The project was a critical part of our final grade.
A	Action Last summer, I had the opportunity to take a course in Dreamweaver, so I felt confident in my ability to use the software. My team members suggested that I lead the team and guide them in the design and execution of the project. My job was to divide the website components and mentor other team members as we set up the platform.
R	Result only our team received a perfect score. Additionally, a team member thanked me for teaching them how to use Dreamweaver beyond the scope of the class.

Sample Questions

Because every interview is different, it is wise to have answers ready for various questions. Below are some generic yet plausible questions you may be asked. Outline potential responses and practice answering with your career coach, a friend, or a mentor.

Career & Self Development

How do you effectively communicate with team members or colleagues to ensure successful project completion?
Explain a time when there was a breakdown of communications with one or more persons. How did you handle the situation? How did you mitigate the problem?
How do you communicate feedback or criticism constructively and professionally?
Please describe a situation where you had to communicate complex information to a non- technical person. How did you ensure they understood the information?

Critical Thinking

How do you approach decision-making in your professional life?
Tell me about a time when you implemented a procedure that you had to pull back from because it didn’t work as planned.
Give an example of when you did something which you had not done before and how you handled it.
What kind of information have you been Required to analyze? Describe one of your most difficult analyses.

Equity & Inclusion

How do you ensure that your work is inclusive of diverse perspectives and experiences?
There are many ways to show respect to others. What works best for you? Give me a specific example.
What would you do if you received a standoffish response from another employee in working with someone from a diverse background?
Describe a customer who was difficult to deal with because of cultural differences. Explain how you managed the situation.

Leadership

How do you ensure that your team members feel valued, heard, and supported?
Can you describe your leadership style and how it has evolved over time?
Can you describe a time when you had to lead a project or initiative that faced significant challenges? How did you approach it?
Not everyone agrees with our decisions. Tell me about an unpopular decision you made and how you gained acceptance from others.

Professionalism

How do you define professionalism and what does it mean to you?
How do you ensure that you are always prepared and organized in your professional life?
Give me an example where you consistently exceeded internal or external expectations. How did you do this? What approach did you take?
Can you describe a time when you had to maintain composure and professionalism in a high- pressure situation.

Teamwork

How do you approach collaboration and communication with team members?
Tell me about a time when you were part of a team and had to find a solution to a problem.
How did you deal with different stakeholders on a project asking for two different requirements which are contrasted and you can only do one?
How do you ensure that team members feel comfortable and safe to share their opinions and ideas?

Technology

What technical skills do you possess and how do they align with the requirements of the position?
When have you successfully demonstrated your technical knowledge? Contrast this with a time when you weren’t able to do so. What did you do differently?
Can you give an example of how you have used technology to improve efficiency or productivity in your previous work experience?
How do you approach learning new technologies and adapting to new software or hardware?

Nervous About Your Interview?

Mock Interview

Schedule an appointment with your Career Coach to practice answering interview questions and receive immediate feedback.

Schedule an Appointment

StandOut Practice Virtual Interview

Practice your interviewing skills through this free virtual resource. You can design yor own or use a pre-designed practice interview with industry-specific questions.

Start Practicing Now

Day of the Interview

Today is the day! Use the tips below to stand out whether your interview is virtual, over the phone, or in person.

General Tips

Dress professionally: clean, ironed professional clothes
- Check out this Backpack to Briefcase episode for advice
Eat a snack and use the restroom before your interview
Speak enthusiastically, clearly, and with conviction
Be positive in all the responses
Ask for clarification when unsure about a question
Prepare 3-5 questions to ask the interviewer including, the next steps in the hiring process
Express sincere gratitude and your continued interest at the end of the interview
BE YOURSELF!

Phone Interview Advice

Dress professionally and find a distraction-free environment to ensure a proper mindset even though you will not be visible to the interviewer
Have your research about the company and accomplishments, and prepare questions for the interviewers available
Save questions about salary for the offer negotiation stage

In-Person Interview Advice

Arrive 10-15 minutes early and silence your phone
Greet anyone you meet (pleasantly) along the way to the interview
Bring several copies of your resume, a pen/pencil, a notebook or padfolio, and any other materials the interviewer requested
Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact as you do, and smile
Break the ice by bringing up relevant topics or asking introductory questions

Virtual Interview Advice

Dress professionally to make a positive impression
Have documents readily available (i.e., research about the company, accomplishments, prepared questions for the interviewers, a digital copy of your resume)
Log on early and check your technology (i.e., camera, microphone) as well as your internet connection
Set up the camera to be at eye level, look at the camera, remove clutter from the background, set up lighting so your face is evenly lit, and minimize distractions (tv, laundry, phone, etc.)
Break the ice by bringing up relevant topics or asking introductory questions
Have your calendar readily available in case you need to schedule a second or follow-up interview
You can reserve a room for virtual interviews in the Eccles Business Building

How to Avoid Interview Pitfalls

Be honest in your responses; if you don’t know something, truthfully acknowledge it or answer to the best of your abilities
Having gum or candy in your mouth during the interview is distracting and unprofessional
Negotiate salary or terms after you have received a job offer

Follow Up

Follow-up after an interview is crucial. It demonstrates professionalism, is an excellent opportunity to remind the hiring committee of your qualifications, and expresses your enthusiasm for the position. Promptly send your brief, and personal thank you note or email 24-48 hours after each interview.

Allow the hiring manager at least two weeks to get back to you unless they indicate a more prolonged process during the interview. You may follow up with your point of contact to determine where the organization is in the hiring process

Sample Thank You Note/Email

Dear Mr. Roland,

I am writing to express my gratitude for meeting with me to discuss the details of the Financial Analyst internship. I came home more enthusiastic about the organization and how I can use my skills in data mining to help the team meet its goals.

Once again, thank you for the opportunity to meet with you and the team. I look forward to hearing from you soon and joining the team.

Best regards,

Jane Doe

Thank You Note/Email Template

Dear __________,

Thank you for your time. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet you and learn more about the __________ position. I appreciated _________ aspect of the role/company. It was enjoyable getting to know more about the work that you do, and exciting to learn more about the work that I can do for __________.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to continuing as a candidate and speaking with you again.