Interviewing
Tips
- Develop a great
resume. Spend weeks not hours preparing it. Ask no fewer than three people
to give you constructive feedback. Absolutely no typos permitted!
- Practice with
a Mock Interview at Career Services.
- Prepare by writing
out answers to "deep" questions. You can answer most factual questions on
the spot, but it helps to have a
prepared response on the deeper ones such as…
- Name a time
in your life when you had to be innovative.
- What is
the most creative thing you have done?
- Who do you
admire most in your life and why?
- Describe
a time in your life when you were creative in solving a problem.
- Describe
a time when you witnessed great leadership.
- Describe
a time when you had to lead or motivate people.
- If someone
asked you to research a new type of ink, how would you proceed?
- If you could
be a superhero, who would you be?
- Etc. — additional
questions can be obtained from Career Services.
Note: of course don’t recite a memorized response.
- Dress professionally
(Business suit or equiv.)
- Relax, take
a deep breath and come in with a smile and a firm handshake.
- Don’t give short,
non-descriptive answers. Explain in detail each response.
- Think about
the meaning behind a question.
- .If you don’t
know an answer to a question, say so. Indicate how you would go about finding
out the answer and if need be, tell the interviewer that you will get back
to her/him with an answer. Of course, get back with her/him within 2 days
if you say you are going to!
- Stay positive
during the interview. Don’t bash previous employers. Make your answers reflect
a positive frame of mind. Demonstrate that hiring you will bring a positive
influence into the company. If asked about a negative situation, simply state
the answer and how would improve it.
- Don’t be arrogant.
Only the Chiefs need to hire a superstar.
- Don’t talk the
"whole" time. Allow some natural pauses to occur.
- Be prepared
to ask some questions about the company. Don’t ask about salary or benefits
but rather about philosophy, business style, or the market in which the company
serves.
- Ask for a business
card at the interview. Leave with a smile, handshake, and a thank you.
- Write a follow-up
letter within 3 days, thanking the interviewer for her/his time. Take an opportunity
to express your interest in working for the company and tell her/him something
additional about yourself.