Interviewing
While an interview may be an opportunity for you to learn more about a particular organization or to see if a company is a "fit" for you, your primary objective in any interview setting is the same: Get the internship or job. You may have to go through multiple rounds of interviews in order to land an offer, but your preparation for each round is largely the same. UCS can assist you as you prepare to interview through:
* Workshops & Employer Programs
* Individual counseling appointments
* Mock interviews
Check the UCS Calendar for workshop schedules and call 432-0800 to schedule an appointment.
General Interviewing Tips
Never walk into an interview unprepared. To some degree, interviews are open-book exams; you must research the company, the industry, and related events and trends that may impact the company. You should also have a basic understanding of the day-to-day functions of the position, as well as an idea of what common interview questions you may expect. Research resources may include:
Additionally, you should be sure to dress the part of a professional in the field for which you are interviewing. Know the expected dress code for your target companies.
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Men
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Women
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Professional: Suit & tie or sport coat, slacks & tie |
Professional: Suit or dress skirt or pants w/blouse or sweater |
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Business Casual: Dress pants (no cargos, distressed fabrics, etc) with a collared shirt work; sweaters may be acceptable; all should be neat and pressed. |
Business Casual: Dress pants (no cargos, distressed fabrics, etc) with a collared shirt work; sweaters may be acceptable; all should be neat and pressed. |
In general, it is best to err on the side of conservative dress. If you must wear perfume or cologne, keep it light. When in doubt on any of these issues, consult a UCS counselor.
Impact Interviewing
It has been said that there are only really eight categories of questions, though there are millions of possible ways to ask them. Preparing for these categories will help you to respond intelligently when you are in the thick of an interview: they provide you with a framework around which to plan your answers.
1. Tell me about yourself. You WILL get this question! Whether directed toward your academics, extracurriculars, summer employment, or any other aspect of your life that pertains to the job, this question is central to the interview. Be clear where you want to go- solid answers can set up the rest of the interview in a positive direction, weak answers just showcase your capacity to ramble!
2. What are your strengths? Be ready to talk about both skills (specific things you can DO -software, languages, organizational, etc); and personal assets (QUALITIES you possess- creativity, dependability, team player, etc). Have at least three of each type readily available, since the question may be asked in several different guises.
3. What are your weaknesses? DO NOT turn this into a strength! People are very tired of hearing about "perfectionism", or "pushing yourself too hard"! You need to honestly identify a couple of things that could be improved. Think about HOW you would improve them, then BEGIN that process. Talking about your weaknesses shows self-awareness, maturity, responsibility and integrity. Taking action indicates many of the same qualities. "I can't think of any" shows a total lack of self-awareness, or a stunning arrogance. Which impression would you prefer to convey?
4. Why are you interested in this industry/field/job? Be specific! Tie your skills and qualities to the needs of the job. Explain the research you have done into the field, and why you believe it is a good fit.
5. Why do you want to work for us? Again, use specifics, not platitudes. This is not about what THEY can do for YOU ("great training"), but the other way around. What can you bring to them, and why is this particular position with this particular organization the best fit for you?
6. Context questions. Since most questions in an interview follow on from the prior answer, the answers you give you to "open" questions ("Tell me about yourself"), should directly encourage the interviewer to ask you more about the things you WANT to talk about. Context questions make up the overwhelming majority of questions in an interview, and good preparation from you can result in most of the interview focusing on subjects of essentially your choosing!
7. What questions do you have for us? Ask questions that will make them think, that reflect your knowledge (but be careful of showing off, or making mistakes), and that are relevant to the field. "What keeps you excited about your work?"; "How did the merger with XYZ impact the company?"; "Where do you see the industry headed in the next five years?" And don't use these! You need to come up with ones that matter to YOU. Be prepared to have them thrown back at you- "I'll give you my opinion, but I'd be interested in hearing yours first." You need to have a point of view. DO NOT:
- Tell them "you've answered all my questions"
- Ask questions if you do not care about the answers
- Ask questions you could have answered if you had read their literature
- Ask them what a typical day is like- it implies you don't know what you are interviewing for!
8. Case/Structured Interviews. Once almost exclusively confined to the consulting and financial industries, these types of questions are becoming more common among all potential employers. Refer to the Case/Structured Interviews page for more information.
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