Office of Student Life
Career Resource Guide

Before the Interview

Know Yourself

  1. Identify your Skills and Qualities
    • List five to seven skills or qualities that define you.
    • Provide examples of how you’ve applied these skills in real-world scenarios.
  2. Reflect on Your Past
    • Dive into your high school, college, and work experiences. Identify how you developed key skills through activities like student organization involvement, part-time jobs, research, sports, extracurriculars, or internships.
    • Potential employers are interested in your leadership skills (Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers, March 2024). These skills are demonstrated in formal leadership positions or as a member of a job team, project group, or organization. Be prepared to describe times when you stepped up to guide a task, facilitate a project, or utilize your personal and team members’ strengths to solve a problem.
    • Reflect on a time when you considered multiple perspectives and learning styles when formulating ideas, addressing team conflict, or resolving a problem.
  3. Review the Job Description
    • Analyze the job description and requirements. Note the key responsibilities and qualifications required.
    • Identify your skills that directly match the position.
    • Emphasize transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, critical thinking, technical, and leadership skills if they align with the job’s expectations.
  4. Create your Answer Bank
    • Create a bank of stories that help you demonstrate the following:
      •  Skills: Can you do the job? (qualified skills, knowledge, and experience)
      • Passion/Motivation: Will you do the job? (motivation and interest)
      • Alignment: Do you align with the organization? (personality, work styles, and values)
  5. Review Your Resume
    • Ensure your resume effectively communicates your skills.
    • Be prepared to answer questions about anything listed on your resume. Familiarize yourself with the flow of your resume so you can walk an employer through your resume if needed.

Know the Company (Company Research): 

  1. Explore the Company: Visit the company’s website, Handshake page, social media, and business publications.
  2. Values and Mission: Know the company’s values, mission statement, and guiding principles. You can use this information to make a connection between your own values and interests and the company’s values and mission.
  3. Understand Products/Services: Familiarize yourself with the company’s offerings and how they align with your career goals.
  4. Industry Insights: Research industry key issues, current events, and environmental considerations. Understand how the company adapts to industry changes.
  5. Engage your Network: Reach out to people in your network who may have insights into the company.
  6. Do Your Research: Many websites, including Handshake, have examples of interview questions that the company has used as part of their past hiring. Familiarize yourself with these questions and prepare answers to them.

Preparation Tips 

A well-prepared and organized approach significantly contributes to interview success.

1. Dress Professionally

  • Make sure your outfit is clean and pressed the night before the interview

2. Bring Essential Items

  • Carry a pad and a pen for notes
  • Bring multiple copies of your resume

3. Prepare Questions

  • Develop three to five thoughtful questions for the interviewer
  • Have a typed or neatly written list of the questions in your portfolio
  • Reference this list only when it’s time to ask questions to show preparation

Example Questions You Can Ask:

  • How would you describe the typical career path for someone in this role?
    • Provides insights into the expectations and potential career trajectory for the position.
  • What are the most challenging aspects of this role?
    •  Gives you an opportunity to prepare for potential challenges and demonstrates your willingness to tackle them.
  • Can you elaborate on the day-to-day responsibilities of this role?
    • It helps you gain a clearer understanding of the job’s expectations and whether they align with your skills and interests.
  • What do you enjoy most about working for this company?
    • Allows the interviewer to share personal insights and provides a glimpse into the positive aspects of the workplace.
  • What is the next step in the interview process, and what is the expected timeline for a decision?
    • Shows your eagerness and helps you manage expectations regarding the hiring timeline.
  • Any other questions that may arise during the interview.
    • Demonstrates your listening skills and ability to communicate in real time

4. Know Interview Logistics

  • Familiarize yourself with the interview’s time, location and duration.
  • If you are interviewing over video/phone or traveling, confirm the time zone for your interview.
  • Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to compose yourself.

5. Phone and Video Interviews

  • Find a quiet space free of distractions.
  • Confirm the phone number or video platform.
  • Test your technology in advance. Make sure your audio/video devices that you will be using are working and well-charged before the call.
  • Choose a clean, well-lit environment.

6. Handling Stress

  • Practice Deep Breathing: Use deep breaths to calm your nerves.
  • Practice, practice, practice: practice answering a variety of questions with a career coach, friends, or mentors to reduce anxiety.