Interviewing Tips

Interviewing Tips Interviewing can make people nervous and in order to interview well, there are some ways to prepare and practice beforehand.

First Impressions

If you're looking for a job, you should know that what you do and what you say during the first 10 seconds of the interview may determine whether you are hired, according to Robert Half International.

Preparing for the interview

You must be able to express your qualifications, strengths, and interest for the position and be knowledgeable regarding the interviewer’s organization.

Interview Practice

Don't make the mistake of scheduling your most important interview before you practice. Good interviewing skills are learned, and practice is the key to success. Career Services offers two options for improving your interviewing skills: InterviewStream and Mock Interviews.

Sample Interview Questions Asked by Employers

The initial interview will usually consist of fairly general questions that will not afford much opportunity for either party to elaborate. Time will be short. Concentrate on making your responses positive.

Sample Interview Questions to Ask Employers

At the end of the interview you will have the opportunity to ask questions and YOU SHOULD ASK QUESTIONS!!! Here are some examples of questions you could ask.

Phone Interview

Many employers screen job applicants over the telephone, and the number of these calls is expected to increase as they seek ways to reduce their recruiting costs.

Dressing for the Interview

Dress professionally! If unsure what to wear, it’s better to overdress than under dress; a dark suit is always appropriate. Wear comfortable shoes! Check out this Power Point presentation for more about what to wear.

Interviewing Tips for Success

For more information on interviewing, check out our handout about tips for success.

Informational Interviews

For a twist on interviewing, try an informational interview. One of the best sources for gathering information about what's happening in an occupation or an industry is to talk to people working in the field. This process is called informational or research interviewing. An informational interview is an interview that you initiate - you ask the questions. The purpose is to obtain information, not to get a job.

Useful Articles that Offer Interviewing Tips:

Tell Me About Yourself - it seems like a simple request, but "tell me about yourself" often trips interview candidates up because of its open-ended nature.
Do Your Pre-Interview Research - As it turns out, recruiters actually want candidates to Google them before their job interview. It's how you use that info to help find a common thread.
Get Fit: What it Means to be a 'Cultural Fit' for a Job - You may learn that you were just not the right 'fit' for the job. What does that mean? Check out this article to learn more.
Interview Protocol Police - Protocol, etiquette, or just plain old politeness are pivotal to conducting business with confidence and flair.
Interview Prep: Identifying a Strength vs. a Skill - Make sure you're not flubbing your answer to this omnipresent interview question.
Defining Your Strengths and Weaknesses - How to answer this dependable, go-to question in your next interview.
What Your Language Really Says in a Job Interview - In an interview, the shortest words can say a lot. Be aware of what you're saying and how you can say it better.
Stumped in an Interview? Show Your Thought Process - We learn from recruiters that in an interview, your thought process can actually trump your response.
The Importance of Asking Questions During the Interview - The 411 on why asking questions in a job interview is important, and what it says about you as a candidate.
3 Things Employers Look for in an Interview - Follow this advice to confirm what interviewers are already predisposed to believe: that hiring you is a wise move.
The Perfect Form: Your Interview Body Language - An interviewee's body language--how he crosses his legs or sits in the chair--can make a big impression on the interviewer.