Interview Preparation

An interview is your opportunity to go beyond your resume and demonstrate your skills, experiences, professionalism, and interest in an organization. Whether you’re interviewing for an internship, full-time position, graduate school program, or professional opportunity, preparation can significantly improve your confidence and performance.

Career Development provides resources, guidance, and personalized coaching to help you prepare for every stage of the interview process.

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Preparation Strategies

Successful interviews begin well before the interview date. Taking time to prepare can help you communicate your qualifications effectively and feel more confident during the conversation.

Before your interview:

• Research the organization, industry, and position, explore:
  • The organization’s website, especially the About Us, Leadership, and Careers pages
  • Recent company news and announcements
  • Products, services, and industry trends
  • Company values and mission statements
  • Employee experiences and workplace culture
  • Recent accomplishments, challenges, or strategic initiatives
• Review the job description carefully
• Identify examples that demonstrate your skills and accomplishments
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer
• Practice discussing your experiences confidently
• Test technology in advance for virtual interviews
• Plan your professional attire and travel arrangements

Remember that employers are evaluating not only your qualifications, but also your communication skills, professionalism, and enthusiasm for the opportunity.

Research Checklist

Before your interview, be prepared to answer:

• What does the organization do?
• Why are you interested in working there?
• What skills and qualifications are most important for the role?
• What recent news or initiatives can you discuss during the interview?
• What questions do you want to ask the interviewer?

Tip: Follow organizations of interest on LinkedIn and enable notifications to stay informed about company news, hiring activity, and industry developments before your interview.

Resources for Researching Organizations

• LinkedIn – Research company profiles, follow organizations, review recent updates, and explore the backgrounds of employees and alumni who work there. LinkedIn can provide valuable insight into company culture, hiring trends, and career paths.
• Glassdoor – Explore employee reviews, workplace culture insights, salary information, and interview experiences shared by candidates. While individual reviews should be considered thoughtfully, Glassdoor can help you identify common themes and interview expectations.

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Common Interview Questions

While every interview is different, employers often ask questions designed to learn more about your background, experiences, and career goals.

Examples include:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why are you interested in this position?
• What are your strengths?
• What is a challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?
• Describe a time you worked as part of a team.
• Why do you want to work for our organization?
• ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

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Behavioral Interview Questions

Many employers use behavioral interview questions to understand how you have handled situations in the past. These questions help employers evaluate skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, adaptability, and conflict resolution.

These questions often begin with:

• Tell me about a time when…
• Give me an example of…
• Describe a situation where…

One effective approach is the STAR Method:

Situation: Describe the situation or challenge.
Task: Explain your responsibility or goal.
Action: Describe the steps you took.
Result: Share the outcome and what you learned.

Using this framework can help you provide organized and impactful responses.

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Questions to Ask the Interviewer

Asking thoughtful questions demonstrates preparation, curiosity, and genuine interest in the opportunity. Consider selecting a few questions that are most relevant to the position and organization.

• What does success look like in this role during the first 6–12 months?
• What are the biggest priorities or challenges for the person hired into this position?
• Can you tell me more about the team I would be working with?
• How would you describe the organization’s culture and work environment?
• What opportunities are available for professional development and growth?
• What do you enjoy most about working for this organization?
• How does this role contribute to the organization’s overall goals and mission?
• What are the next steps in the hiring process, and what is the anticipated timeline for a decision?
• Questions to Avoid

Interview Questions to Avoid

• Questions that can easily be answered by reviewing the company website
• Questions focused only on salary, vacation time, or benefits during an initial interview (unless the interviewer raises the topic)
• Questions that suggest a lack of interest in the position or organization

Tip: Bring a list of prepared questions to the interview. Having thoughtful questions ready shows professionalism and can help you determine if the opportunity is a good fit for your goals and interests.

Common Interview Mistakes

Even highly qualified candidates can hurt their chances by making avoidable mistakes.

Common interview mistakes include:

• Arriving late or unprepared
• Failing to research the organization
• Providing vague or incomplete answers without specific examples
• Speaking negatively about previous employers or experiences
• Not asking questions
• Forgetting to follow up after the interview
• Appearing distracted during interviews

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Virtual Interview Tips

Many employers use video interviews as part of their hiring process.

Before your interview:

• Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection
• Choose a quiet, professional location
• Minimize distractions and notifications
• Dress professionally
• Maintain eye contact by looking at the camera
• Keep a copy of your resume and notes nearby

Treat a virtual interview with the same level of professionalism as an in-person interview.

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Practice Makes a Difference

Interviewing is a skill that improves with preparation and practice. We encourage students to practice responses out loud, participate in practice interviews, and seek feedback before important interviews.

Career Development can help you:

• Develop interview strategies
• Practice common and behavioral interview questions
• Prepare for virtual and in-person interviews
• Build confidence and improve communication skills
• Prepare for graduate school and professional program interviews

Schedule an appointment on Handshake.

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