Ace the Interview

You have landed that job interview, now what? Information on this page is designed to serve as guidelines to assist you in preparing for and conducting a successful job interview. 

Remember, how you apply for a job is as important as the qualifications you have to offer. In fact, you should view your job search skills as part of your overall qualifications. Employers evaluate not only the skills you possess for the job, but also the skills you exhibit in looking for the job. These are evidenced in the quality of your resume and cover letter as well as your ability to conduct yourself professionally throughout the interview process.

Top 10 Reasons to Hire Me

How to Research Companies

Avoiding Interview Mistakes

Professional Dress Guidelines

The interview can feel intimidating, whether it’s your first or hundredth. Learning about what to expect, practicing, and reflecting ahead of time can help ease this tension and help you become a great interviewee. Use the below links to dive deeper into the interview.

Sample Interview Questions and Answers

Appropriate and Inappropriate Questions for You to Ask

Behavioral Interviewing

Virtual or Phone Interview

Here are some basic tips to be successful in an interview. Practice these using Big Interview.

• Arrive early (approximately 15 minutes—if you are any earlier, wait in your car until about 15 minutes before the interview).
• Introduce yourself to the secretary/receptionist and inform them that you have an interview with Mr./Ms. (name of interviewer) at (time).
• Follow the interviewer’s lead. When he/she greets you, pause a moment and allow them to initiate the handshake, so as not to appear you are dominating the interview. If they do not, you may initiate it. Always offer a firm handshake.
• Make and maintain good eye contact. If it is a group interview, respond to one of the interviewer’s questions by first looking at them, then making eye contact with each of the other interviewers throughout your answer.
• Show interest and enthusiasm by using attentive listening skills such as nodding to show you are hearing and understanding the question, smiling periodically, and maintaining a pleasant and alert facial expression.
• Pay attention to verbal cues from the interviewer so you’ll know when it’s time for you to stop talking. However, make sure you end your own responses appropriately by developing “concluding statements” that summarize your response and show that you are finished.
• Be an active participant in the interview by bringing up key qualifications you possess if the interview questions aren’t allowing you to communicate these. Use tact and build upon information the interviewer shares by relating specific knowledge, skills, or experience you have relevant to that information.
• As the interview draws to a close, you will likely be asked if you have any questions. Ask about the hiring date or when you can expect to hear from them regarding their decision. Remember to send a thank you within two days of the interview. See Post-Interview Tips for more details.

The interview is over and you can relax…? Not quite! There are some very important, and often overlooked, follow-up activities to complete. Doing so will not only allow you to demonstrate your professionalism, but it will also keep you at the forefront of the employer’s thoughts, and therefore increase your chances of getting the job.

Concerned about annoying the interviewer with follow-up activities? Navigate the links below to see how you can maintain a connection that will reiterate your interest and illustrate your persistence without crossing into annoyance.

Post Interview Tips

• The interview is over and you can relax…? Not quite! There are some very important and often overlooked follow-up activities to complete. Doing so will not only allow you to demonstrate your professionalism, but will also keep you at the forefront of the employer’s thoughts and therefore increase your chances of getting the job. 

• Self-evaluate

  • Make notes on your performance and questions that were difficult for you to answer. Research how to handle such questions in the event you encounter them in future interviews. Write down things you noticed in the interview that are important to you. Did they mention opportunities for growth or promotion? Did you like the people you would work with regularly? Write down any questions that are still lingering. These can be good to ask if you have another interview or in a follow-up email.

• Write a thank you note
  • Write a thank you note within two days of your interview to reiterate your interest in the position/organization. Carefully proofread any thank-you notes you send, and try to reference something specific you liked or found interesting in your interview.
• Keep in touch
  • It is appropriate to call if you haven’t heard from the employer within the time frame you were given to expect a response. It can also be a great time to reaffirm your interest in the position or company and to ask any lingering questions from the interview.
• Be responsive

  • Even if you’re not interested in the position, always respond to emails or phone calls professionally to leave a positive impression. There may be other opportunities with that company in the future, or the interviewer could become part of your professional network. Don’t burn any bridges. Make sure the message on your voice mail is professional, and always answer the phone in an enthusiastic, positive tone in case an employer is calling.

Second Interview Preparation

• Do take a practice run to the location where you are having the interview — or be sure you know exactly where it is and how long it takes to get there.
• Do remember these three words: More, More, More. Compared to the first interview, a second interview will likely involve more preparation, more people, more questions, more intensity, and more pressure — in addition to more likelihood that you will land the job.
• Do research— even more than you did for the first interview. Presumably you researched the company before the first interview. Now it’s time to delve even deeper into that research. Some experts suggest that talking with company insiders is one of the most productive ways to prepare for a second interview. If you are a college student, particularly seek out alumni from your school or sorority/fraternity who work for the employer. Also be sure you’re up to date on developments in your field or industry by reviewing trade publications.
• Do try to find out in advance exactly what the agenda will be and with whom you can expect to interview. If you aren’t given this information when the interview is set up, contact the person you’ve been in communication with to request further details.
• Do get a good night’s sleep the night before this potentially grueling day. Also look for opportunities to refresh yourself during the interview day. If there’s a break in the action, splash some water on your face or take a brisk walk to rejuvenate. Take along a pocket- or purse-sized snack in case there is no lunch break. Maintain your energy, confidence, and enthusiasm.

• Do be up on business dining etiquette if you are asked to eat with representatives of the prospective employer.
• Do be aware that you might be asked to complete psychometric tests dealing with such things as skills, intelligence, and personality. There’s not a lot you can do to prepare for them, other than a good night of sleep.
• Do expect to be asked some of the same questions you were asked in the first interview, but some new ones as well. Second-interview questions may delve more into your personality, or specific technical skills — or both. Keep your responses fresh yet consistent for each person you meet with, and don’t worry about repeating yourself —you will!
• Do expect behavioral questions, which are commonly asked in second interviews, even if they haven’t been asked in the first interview.

• Do listen for clues that get at the heart of what the employer seeks in the person hired, and key into the needs, concerns, issues, and problems that you would be expected to handle.
• Do be prepared with lots of questions to ask. You will likely have more opportunity to ask questions in the second interview and will be expected to make more sophisticated inquiries than you did in the first interview.

• Do ask about the next step in the process if you don’t receive an offer. How soon will a decision be made, and how will they let you know?
• Do try to collect the business card of everyone you meet with throughout the second interview process. Keep a small notepad handy to write down names in case there’s someone from whom you can’t get a card.

• Don’t neglect to review your performance from your first interview. Note any questions or situations that caused you difficulty and plan how you will handle those aspects better in the second interview. Brainstorm new information you can offer —new accomplishments, new examples, new evidence of how much you know about the employer.
• Don’t slack off with your interview attire. A second interview generally doesn’t denote a more casual interview.

• Don’t be caught off guard if an interviewer raises the subject of salary and benefits. You may also be asked about your willingness to travel and relocate, so be ready with your responses. Make sure to defer salary  negotiations until an offer is extended. Avoid giving an answer immediately if the employer makes an offer. Ask for a few days to think about it. 
• Don’t be shocked if some of the people you meet with aren’t very competent interviewers. While managers trained in interviewing often conduct first interviewers, some of the people who might talk with you during the second-interview may lack training in how to conduct an interview.
• Don’t be surprised if you’re interviewing with multiple people in the room. As you respond to a question, maintain eye contact with everyone on the panel or in the room—not just the perosn who asked the question.

• Don’t be surprised if the second interview is actually a series of interviews—in both
  individual and group/panel formats—making for a long day. You may interview with managers, senior executives, department heads, and prospective team members. You may also get a tour of the workplace and be taken out to eat. 
• Don’t neglect to talk to people beyond those you are interviewing with. Chatting up—not too excessively—the receptionist and prospective co-workers can give you a better feel for how much you’d like to be part of this workplace culture, as well as make a positive impression.

• Don’t forget to take notes between or right after the interview. You’ll want to use this to evaluate how the interviews went, determine if you are interested in the job/company, and to write thank-you notes.
• Don’t forget to send a thank-you note or e-mail to everyone you meet with. That’s right—every single person. Aren’t you glad you collected those business cards/emails? You can write the same basic message to all, but try to include something personal that you discussed with that person.