INTERVIEW HANDBOOK

Career Development Services

805.437.3270
[email protected]
www.csuci.edu/careerdevelopment/
 THE PURPOSE OF AN INTERVIEW
An interview is a mutual exchange of information between an employer
and you, as a candidate for a position. The primary objectives are to:

• Supplement resume information

• Show that you understand your strengths and weaknesses and have a
sense of direction
• Enable the employer to evaluate your personality and attitudes in
terms of the demands of the organization and the position
• Allow you to gain information about the organization and the job
that is not available through other sources
• Give you and the employer an opportunity to discuss the desirability
of further contact or an offer of employment

The interview is a two-way process. You evaluate the employer while

he/she evaluates you. Since there is no one way of interviewing, you will
have to develop your own style. In order to present yourself well during
the interview, you must be prepared. Preparation builds confidence and
INTERVIEW CHECKLIST: enables you to give a better presentation of your qualifications.

• 5-10 copies of your resume

INTERVIEW PREPARATION
• A portfolio/notebook
First Impressions
• Pen/pencil
Your success or failure in an interview can depend on your appearance
• Questions for the interviewers and the interviewer's first impression of you. Research indicates that, on
average, an interviewer decides to hire in just 5½ minutes. If the first
• Positive attitude impression is not positive, it will be difficult to change the interviewer's
• Professionally dressed mind during the rest of the interview.

Be punctual. Arrive 10 minutes early to allow yourself time to collect

PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE: your thoughts. Take the opportunity to observe the work environment.
Keep your eyes and ears open.
• Solid color, conservative suit
• Coordinated blouse/shirt Look professional—neat, clean, and well groomed. Select proper
clothing for the type of organization interviewing you. If in doubt, be
• Minimal jewelry/accessories/tie conservative. It is also advisable to keep fashion accessories to a
• Moderate shoes minimum, to avoid wearing strong scents, and to turn off devices such as
cell phones and electronic organizers.
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Manicured nails Greet each person with respect and professionalism. When you shake
hands, make eye contact and smile. Handshakes should be firm but not
aggressive; try to match the grip of the interviewer. It is good etiquette
to wait to sit down until the interviewer invites you to do so.

Know the Company/Organization

You must be familiar with the position and the organization so that you
can demonstrate your interest in and fit for the job. Refer to the
research notes you made as you reviewed print and online materials,
spoke with people about the position, and prepared your resume and
cover letter.
 BEHAVIOR-BASED A commonly asked interview question is: "What do you know about our
company?" If you are unable to answer this question effectively,
QUESTIONS
employers will see this as a sign of lack of planning or interest.
• Describe a time when you
were faced with problems or Research the Employer
stresses that tested your Thoroughly research the organization to impress those with whom you
coping skills and how you meet and discuss your alignment with the company.
handled it.
Suggested information to research:
• Describe a time when your
• Key people in the organization • Potential markets
work was harshly criticized.
• Size of organization • Stock and assets information
How did you react to this
feedback? • Location of facilities • Competition
• Structure of organization • Training provisions
• Tell me about a time when a • Types of clients • Recent news items
project really excited you. • Product line or service

• Tell me about a situation You can find this information in the following places:
when you had absolutely no • Employer brochures • Company website/Internet
idea how to approach a • Public Relations • Other employees
problem and how you • Glassdoor.com
eventually solved it.
ANSWERING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
• Give me an example of a The next phase of the interview consists of the interviewer asking you
situation when your solution questions to try to determine your fit. Having knowledge of potential
to a problem did not help. questions helps you to prepare points to include in your answers. Think
What was the outcome? about why a question is being asked. What does the employer really
want to know?
• Describe the steps you
would take if a customer Behavior-based and situational/hypothetical questions are increasing in
came to you with a problem popularity because they are considered to be more valid predictors of
that was beyond your on-the-job performance.
responsibilities but your
supervisor was not available. Behavior-Based Questions

• How would you handle a co- Behavior-based interviews are designed to elicit information about how
worker who you notice you have performed in the past because past behavior is a good indicator
being rude to customers? of how you will function in the future. Interviewers develop their
questions around the traits and skills they consider necessary for
• Tell me about a time when succeeding in a position or organization.
you had to adapt to people
from different cultures and These questions usually begin with phrases such as:
environments. • Tell me about a time...
• • Describe a situation in which...
CAR METHOD TO • Recall an instance when…
ANSWERING BEHAVIOR- • Give me an example of…
BASED QUESTIONS
• Use a three step process: Some applicants find the format of these questions difficult to understand
1) context/situation 2) action and have trouble responding. However, if you have done your research
3) result or outcome. and prepared for the interview, you will have work, academic, and life
experiences ready to share. You can prepare for behavior-based
questions by recalling specific actions that demonstrate your
 accomplishments, abilities, and fit for the position. Be certain to tell the
• Always cite a specific event and truth, get to the point, stay focused, turn negatives into positives, and be
briefly fill the employer in on consistent with your responses.
the situation.
• Have a thorough Answering Behavior-Based Questions: W5 Model
understanding of the
questions. The W5 model is a useful method for answering a behavior-based
• Ask for clarification if question. The answer should take approximately 90 seconds (the length
needed. of a typical attention span).
• Deal with all questions
positively. 70 seconds - Identify the skill/knowledge/ability and give an example of
• Some questions give you the how you applied or developed it by explaining:
chance to acknowledge your
failures while showing how • What, Who, When, Where, Why, and How
you have learned from them. • What the successful outcome was
• Don't be afraid to take a few
moments to think about the 20 seconds - Re-state the skill and outline the benefits transferable to
question--it's better than the interviewer’s organization
making something up!
COMMON BEHAVIOR-BASED INTERVIEW THEMES
EXAMPLE INCLUDE:
“Tell me about a time you had a • Working effectively under pressure
difficult customer. How did you • Handling a difficult situation with a co-worker
handle the situation?” • Applying good judgment and logic in solving a problem
• Completing a project on time
When I was working at XYZ • Persuading team members to do things your way
Company as an entry-level sales • Writing a report or proposal that was well received
associate, a customer wanted to • Anticipating potential problems and developing preventative
return an item purchased over measures
nine months ago due to • Making an important decision with limited facts and information
dissatisfaction (Context). I • Making a quick decision during the absence of a supervisor
informed the customer that the • Making an unpopular decision
product no longer met the • Adapting to a difficult situation
company’s return policy and the • Being tolerant of a different opinion
customer became angry and • Dealing with an upset client or customer
demanded to speak with a • Delegating a project effectively
supervisor. I calmly let the • Explaining complex information to a client, colleague or peer
customer know that I would be
happy to assist them in their By analyzing the questions asked of you, you will discover further details
request and shared other about the position. Does the interviewer seem to be emphasizing certain
products as alternative solutions skills, knowledge, personality traits, and attitudes? That insight can help you
as the customer waited for a tailor your answers more easily to the employer’s position.
supervisor (Action).
Eventually, the customer calmed For example, in response to the query "What experience do you have
down when I provided suitable organizing projects?" you determine that the qualification being evaluated
alternative options and even is organizational skills. Your statement could be, "I have developed
apologized for being rude to me excellent organizational skills by working on two major projects. The one
earlier (Results). I would like to tell you about ended successfully six months ago."

Every statement you make must be true! Don’t lie or embellish. Ideally,
the illustration you choose to confirm your statement should be a
project that required similar competency to the typical project the
 CLASSIC QUESTIONS prospective employer wants you to complete. If you do not have a
similar experience to relate, try to choose a relevant story from your
In addition to asking the other
academic, extracurricular, or volunteer activities.
types of questions, many employers
rely on a series of standard
questions, and you should prepare Choose words that will help the employer visualize you in the
for them: experience. Whenever possible, include positive feedback from
supervisors, colleagues, professors, and others to reinforce your
accomplishment.
• Tell me about yourself.
• What are your short-term The next step is the one that most candidates forget. Tell the interviewer
goals? What about in two and what specific benefits or competitive advantage you can bring to the
five years? How are you position because of the experience you have just described. For example,
preparing to achieve them? "As part of the team, I would be able to coordinate...." Avoid generic
• What is your vision or mission statements such as "All organizations need people with leadership ability."
statement?
• What do you think you will be Situational/Hypothetical Questions
looking for in the job following
this position? An interviewer will use situational/hypothetical questions to establish
• Why do you feel you will be how you would react to and handle real-life situations on the job. For
successful in this work? situational/hypothetical questions, candidates must have a good
• What other types of work are
understanding of the job and its requirements.
you looking for in addition to
this role? Here are some examples of this type of question:
• What supervisory or
• If you had met your project deadlines and your direct supervisor was
leadership roles have you had?
unavailable, describe how you would remain busy.
• For you, what are some • You are the manager of a small marketing team, and one individual is
advantages and disadvantages continually late for work and taking extended breaks. How would you
of working in a team
approach the issue?
environment?
• During construction, a contractor unexpectedly finds a very large
• What did you like/dislike about object in one of the trenches where he is about to dig. He requests
your last job? that you tell him how to proceed. How would you deal with this
• What motivates you to do a situation?
good job? • You plan a workshop to teach newcomers to the country how to use
• What are your word processing software. Unfortunately, only four people have
strengths/weaknesses? registered and you are required to have a class of ten. It is five days
• What kinds of problems do before the class is scheduled to begin. What do you do?
you handle best? • You have a conflict with someone who is senior to you and is not
your supervisor. Describe how you would handle it.
• How do you reduce stress and
try to achieve balance in your
life?
• How did you handle a request
to do something contrary to
your moral code or business
ethics?
• What do you know about us?
 HOW TO SHARE ANSWERING CLASSIC QUESTIONS- PAWS MODEL
YOUR STORY
The PAWS model is a useful method for answering classic questions
In an interview, you need at such as "Tell me about yourself." The answer should take approximately
least five to eight stories that 90 seconds (the length of a typical attention span).
highlight skills, accomplishments,
character traits, or passions. When an employer asks this question, the employer is looking for those
People remember stories, and aspects of your life that are relevant to the job, such as how you became
you want to be memorable. All interested in the field, related experience, and courses taken.
stories should have a purpose in
telling them, either to highlight The "PAWS" acronym stands for Profile, Academic, Work, and Skills.
something you did or to Include all or as many of the four (in any order) to reinforce your fit for
demonstrate you learned the job. As with any interview response, limit your answer to a
something. All stories have a maximum of ninety seconds. Here are some examples of what to discuss
beginning, middle, and an end. in each of the four areas:
Leave one out and it's not a
story. Profile: Mention how you became interested in this field and perhaps
point out any relevant community involvement, extracurricular activities,
memberships, and personal interests that further demonstrate your
BEGINNING: Describe the commitment to the field
scene so the interviewer
understands the context. Academic: Talk about your educational background
(degrees/diplomas/certifications) and other related training and
professional development initiatives/courses that you participated in
MIDDLE: Next, identify what
YOU did to make this happen. Work: Highlight paid or unpaid experience related to the job
Be specific and make sure you
are teaching the person Skills: Refer to specific technical skills that relate to the position or field
something positive about you. (programming C++, knowledge of GIS) and relevant transferable skills
(time management, problem-solving skills)

END: Share the results of what

happened. Even if it was not
positive, what did you learn
from it? Describe what you
would do differently next time.
 TRICKY SITUATIONS SALARY
Awkward situations may occur If applying for short-term work (such as co-op or summer positions), you
during an interview, and it is up will likely have only one interview, so it is acceptable to discuss salary. If
to you to be prepared to you need to know the salary and it has not been discussed, ask about it as
confidently handle whatever your final question.
happens. To increase your
confidence and prepare for an Employers hiring full-time or contract staff may inquire about salary
interview, practice interviewing. during a first interview to see if your expectations are compatible with
Check for quality of information what they are offering and to see how much value you place on your
in your answers, and the experience, skills, and educational background. Try to defer the subject
positive, non-verbal until you have been offered the job, but if the employer insists, be
reinforcement of your words. prepared to offer a salary range that you know is realistic based on your
By practicing responses out research.
loud, you can hear your
answers and assess their Over eighty percent of employers expect you to negotiate salary.
effectiveness; however, don't Therefore, it is appropriate to do your salary research and develop a
practice so much that you lose negotiation strategy. Visit the Career Development Center to discuss
your spontaneity and your salary negotiation techniques with a career counselor.
answers sound rehearsed.

The key to tricky situations is

SILENCE
to remember that barriers to
employment can often be If you answer a question and there is no prompt response or follow-up
overcome by focusing on the question, what do you do? Try to remain calm and collected. Silence may
positive. Circumstances that not be a negative sign; the employer could be taking time to process and
you may find problematic are: record your answer or could be considering the next question. A few
employers create periods of silence during an interview to see how
1. Salary candidates handle stressful and awkward situations.
2. Silence
3. Interviewer is an excessive In response to uncomfortable silence, ask the interviewers if they require
talker any further details regarding your last response, shifting the responsibility
4. Note-taking to them. Resist the temptation to ramble because you may provide
5. Being stumped irrelevant information that may hurt your chances of being offered the
6. Negative questions job.
7. Many short-term jobs or
gaps in employment history NOTE-TAKING
8. Having never worked or no
recent work experience Although the interviewer will likely take notes, generally you should take
9. Being over-/under-qualified basic notes. If you have your head down writing everything frantically, the
10. Low grades conversation will be uncomfortable and disengaged because of your lack
11. Ageism of eye contact and inability to show enthusiasm.
12. Disclosure of disability
13. Reasons for leaving last job Making brief notes is acceptable when you need to record information
14. Poor or no references that may be easily forgotten, such as a key word, phone number or
15. Proprietary information contact information. If you fear you may not recall other pertinent
details, document the information immediately after the interview.
 BEING STUMPED
You may have difficulty communicating your thoughts clearly and
concisely, especially when you are not sure how to respond to a
question. The key is to remain calm and positive, focus on the question,
and continue to remind yourself that you are doing well. You may
request clarification if you are not sure what the interviewer is asking or
pause and politely ask for a few moments to consider your response;
however, don't take too much time because employers want to see that
you can think well under pressure.

After a brief pause, if you still cannot respond to the interviewer's

question, you may ask to defer your answer to the end of the interview.
BEING STUMPED The risk is that interviews usually follow a certain structure and the
Try not to focus on “what you question might be missed entirely, leaving the interviewer with an
should say.” Focus on the unanswered question. Of course, if you’re stumped because you simply
purpose of this question. What do not know the answer, be honest with the interviewer in a positive
do you think they want to know and professional manner.
about you, based on the question
they asked? They might be When asked a question about a skill that you don't have, demonstrate
purposely testing your ability to that you have the transferable skills necessary to succeed in the position.
solve problems under pressure. For example, "I have excellent computer skills but I do not have
Provide a response that knowledge of that specific software. However, I did learn Dreamweaver,
demonstrates your process in a similar program, on my own and quickly applied the concepts by
finding a solution to a problem. independently creating a website for a project that received a grade of
90%."
Example: What is your
experience with supervising
others?
NEGATIVE QUESTIONS
Interviewers will often ask negatively phrased questions to assess your
• They might want to know
perceived weaknesses and strengths. The following are a few examples:
your leadership style, or
how you handle conflict
• What are your weaknesses as an employee?
between co-workers.
• Recall a time from your work experience when you made a bad
decision or mistake. How did you get beyond it?
“I haven’t had the opportunity to
• Give me an example of a time you did not meet a project
supervise others yet. However, I
deadline. How did you handle the situation?
led my senior capstone project in
developing a business
Be honest and discuss a real work-related weakness or past event that
plan…(provide detailed info on
would not negatively impact performance for the job you are applying
how you lead the team).”
for. Avoid the popular advice to turn a weakness into a strength (for
example, "I'm a perfectionist...") because this kind of response is
“In the past three years working
unconvincing and over used. Be sure to end your "weakness" response
at XYZ Company, my leadership
on a positive note by indicating what steps you are taking to overcome
responsibilities have grown from
the weakness.
being part of a project team to
spearheading a new
It is important to be as positive as possible, even when answering a
project…(provide detail info on
negatively framed question, and to keep your answer short.
how you’ve increased your
leadership opportunity).”
 MANY SHORT-TERM JOBS OR GAPS IN
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

It is becoming more common to work for shorter periods for a variety of

employers, so employers may not place as much emphasis on dates
worked as they might have in the past. However, if asked, be prepared to
provide reasons that the employer will understand for your frequent job
changes or gaps in employment history.

GAPS IN EMPLOYMENT Gaps in your employment history can occur for many reasons, some
EXPLANATIONS within and some beyond your control: short-term positions, lay-offs,
health or personal concerns, raising a family, extensive traveling,
“While I was in between completing a degree, unemployment, or time for career planning. In
positions, I volunteered at XYZ creating a targeted resume, you may also have chosen to omit some
Company to improve my experiences.
customer service skills.”
Although you should truthfully explain in a few words the reasons for
your job changes or gaps in employment, focus on what you did during
“I utilized this gap in the gaps that was related to the position.
employment to help out my
family, which also gave me the HAVING NEVER WORKED OR NO RECENT
chance to improve my WORK EXPERIENCE
computer and time management
skills. I completed several self- Tell the interviewer about any relevant courses, workshops, volunteer or
guided courses online through internship experiences, and extracurricular activities. Indicate if you have
Lynda.com” researched and joined associations or societies in your field to learn or
stay knowledgeable about industry trends and connect with other
professionals. Convey your interest in the position and indicate that you
look forward to a long-term association with the company.

BEING UNDER-/OVER-QUALIFIED

Although you may be concerned about your qualifications, the

interviewer liked something about your resume or you wouldn’t have
been offered an interview! Counter the interviewer's fear that you may
not be suitable by emphasizing your positive traits and describing how
your experience, education, and skills will help you succeed in the
position. Demonstrate to the employer your commitment by describing
how the position aligns with your career goals and how your decision to
apply for the position was carefully planned.

LOW GRADES

Low grades can stem from a lack of commitment (such as skipping classes
or excessive socializing), enrollment in an unsuitable program, or dealing
with traumatic personal events. In any case, explain briefly and honestly
what happened and describe what steps you have taken to remedy the
situation so that it is no longer an issue: "I know my grades were less
than stellar during my third year, but I really improved this term because I
attended a series of study skill workshops and they made a huge impact. I
now know how to manage my time successfully, and I’m confident that I
will perform well in this position."
 IF YOU HAVE POOR OR DISCLOSURE OF DISABILITY
NO REFERENCES:
People with physical, sensory or learning disabilities or chronic medical
If you were unable to obtain a conditions are advised, like all job seekers, to focus on their abilities and
reference from your previous interests when choosing a career.
place of employment because
you left on bad terms, you must It is important to be up front and honest about your situation if your
briefly explain why. Read the disability may present a performance barrier or if you need to request
section on "Reasons for Leaving accommodation or assistive devices. If you determine that your disability
Last Job." does not pose any risk to you or to fellow workers, you may choose to
disclose your disability once a job offer is formally presented. It is not
Quickly follow up your necessary to disclose your disability in your resume or cover letter,
statement to suggest that the although you may prefer to do so if the company you are applying to has
interviewer contact other a specific policy to hire people with disabilities or if you are applying to an
references from your list to agency that deals with persons with disabilities.
obtain a more accurate picture
of your previous work Employers may not understand what your disability involves and may feel
experiences. Stress how direct uncomfortable asking; the result is that they may perceive your disability
managers, supervisors, teachers, to be more of a barrier than it actually is. Determine how you can
and colleagues enjoyed working overcome or compensate for any perceived or real stumbling blocks to
with you and can attest to your employment so that you can explain your situation more clearly and
achievements and skills. positively. For example, you may say, "Due to a spinal injury, I have no
sensation in my legs. I can get around and travel easily in my wheelchair.
If your references are outdated, My injury does not affect how I think, solve problems, or communicate
you must decide if they are still and will not affect my performance on the job." You may also want to ask
appropriate to use. If you feel if the employer has any additional questions.
your referees can still
successfully highlight your skills, Some regions offer assistance to help you secure employment. As well as
follow up with them to request offering job placement programs, programs may provide you with
their permission to be specialized equipment, sign language interpreters, readers, and note
contacted by potential takers to help you with job searching and interviewing.
employers. You will also want
to remind them of your REASONS FOR LEAVING LAST JOB
previous accomplishments and
provide them with an updated An employer may inquire about your reasons for leaving a job to
resume. If you do not obtain determine if concerns from a previous job might impact the organization.
their permission, you must Employers like to gauge your attitude toward work, management,
obtain new references by organizational change, and policies or guidelines.
volunteering, requesting client
testimonials, etc. Begin your response with a positive statement regarding your previous
place of employment. Honestly and concisely state your reasons for
leaving. If you left on good terms, offer the interviewer letters of
reference that outline your relevant achievements. If the conditions under
which you left were negative, focus the interviewer’s attention on what
you accomplished and avoid speaking negatively about past managers,
colleagues or the organization. Emphasize that you will be able to handle
the present job no matter what may have happened in the past.
 YOUR RIGHTS IN THE
INTERVIEW
PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
If you are asked to provide confidential information about a past
There are clear legal rights and
employer, it is best to refrain from giving any information that is not
guidelines for employment
publicly available. Revealing information about a past employer, who may
interview questions. An
or may not be a competitor, could create a breach of confidentiality.
applicant for employment may
Even though you may have worked for this employer some time ago, you
be asked to divulge only
are still obligated to keep confidential information private. The
information relevant to the
interviewer could be testing to see if you divulge any company
position applied for. By law, an
information because doing so may be an indicator that you will reveal
employer must focus on
confidential information about the interviewer's company.
gathering information relevant
to deciding if an applicant can
If your portfolio includes performance reviews or samples of written
perform the functions of a
work, ensure that no proprietary information is included, such as the
position.
names of customers or clients.
Some employers mistakenly
believe that they have a right to HANDLING ILLEGAL QUESTIONS
ask any question they choose
since they are paying the salary. What should you do if you're in the middle of an interview and have just
Others are simply awkward in been asked what is clearly an illegal question? There is no clear-cut
their technique and an unlawful answer. Much depends on you.
question results. However, the
law does not distinguish In some cases, you may be able to answer the "hidden" question. Think of
between the interviewer who is what information the employer is trying to elicit. For example, "Do you
asking questions with the intent have or plan to have children?" may indicate a concern about an ability to
to discriminate and the one work overtime or to travel. In this example, your answer should convey
who is just curious or inept at your willingness to maintain a flexible work schedule. You may elect to
interviewing. say "Why do you ask?" or "Would you explain how this point is
connected to the qualifications for this job?" This could cause the
Some questions are employer to reconsider or clarify the question. It may offend some
inappropriate and others are employers, but probably not the majority.
illegal. You do not have to
answer questions that are illegal. If you feel that you should not answer the question (you shouldn't have
Most regions have laws that to, after all) or that you are not interested in working for the company,
prohibit discrimination in you may state, "I don't feel obligated to answer personal questions
employment on the grounds of: unrelated to the position" or "That question seems inappropriate for an
interview." If you choose this option, you will either enlighten (the
• Race employer may not realize it is illegal and will be happy that you pointed it
• Ancestry out) or offend (the employer may not consider you for the position).
• Place of origin
• Ethnic origin For more information about illegal interview questions, contact your
• Citizenship local, state or federal employment service office.
• Religion
• Gender VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
• Age Smile when appropriate during the interview. Be enthusiastic and
• Record of offences responsive. As you talk about your past and present activities, your
• Marital status passion and energy can be communicated both through your words and
• Family status your body language (an excited tone of voice, leaning forward, nodding
• Disability your head in agreement). Maintaining eye contact is important; failure to
• Medical history do so may imply a lack of confidence or, worse, cause the employer to
question your truthfulness.
 QUESTIONS YOU Sit comfortably, without slouching. Don't put anything on your lap or in
CAN ASK your hands if it will restrict your natural body movement or if you may be
tempted to play with it. Keep your clipboard, note pad, briefcase, or
Your questions should be portfolio on the floor beside your chair for easy retrieval.
pertinent to the position and
show your enthusiasm and Respond to questions specifically and concisely but give sufficient details
knowledge. By asking intelligent, to enable the interviewer to evaluate your credentials. Interviewers
well-thought-out questions that become frustrated when they have to listen to long, rambling answers.
genuinely matter to you, you Think before you speak. It is quite acceptable to pause before talking in
will convince the employer that order to organize your thoughts. Avoid verbal fillers such as "um," "ah,"
you are serious about the "you know," or regularly repeating the question to provide thinking time.
organization and the position.
Avoid asking questions Use business language. Avoid slang. Speak clearly. Watch the
mentioned in the interview. interviewer for clues on how the interview is progressing. Is the
interviewer's face or body language telling you that your answers are too
• What do you see as the long, not detailed enough, too boring? If in doubt, ask the interviewer if
priorities for someone in more or fewer details are needed.
this position?
Prepare in advance to talk about any topic that you are concerned or feel
• Please describe a typical day uncomfortable about. If there is something that you don’t want an
on the job. interviewer to inquire about, it will likely be raised during the interview.
• What training programs do Practice your answer out loud often enough to feel confident. Maintain
you have available for your poise and self-control. Consider a difficult issue as a learning opportunity
employees? that has made you a better person.
• What level of responsibility
could I expect in this TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
position?
• What are the company's INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS
plans for the future?
The most common interview format is one interviewer interviewing one
• What do you see as the
candidate, either by phone, via video or in person.
greatest threat to the
organization?
INTERVIEW WITH TWO OR MORE PEOPLE
• What/where are the
greatest opportunities for It is also common to be interviewed by a panel of people. Although it is
the organization? important to have good eye contact with the person who asks you a
• How would you describe question, also look at the other interviewers frequently to include them in
your organization's the discussion. Try to remember each person's name and use his or her
management style, culture name during the interview.
or working environment?
• What do you like most GENERAL/GROUP INTERVIEW OR
about your organization? INFORMATION SESSION
• How are employees This approach is intended to provide applicants with a large amount of
evaluated and promoted? information about the organization and the job. The format is used to
save time and ensure that everyone understands the basic facts. This
process is usually followed by an individual interview. A well-timed and
intelligent question may help the employer remember you positively.
INTERVIEW RESOURCES COMPETITIVE GROUP INTERVIEW

Virtual Mock-Interviews on In this interview format, one or more people interview many candidates at
Dolphin CareerLink the same time. This type of interview is sometimes used when a position
• Practice a mock-interview involves teamwork and the interviewers want to see how you interact in a
recorded on Dolphin group setting, when the company wants to see who emerges as a leader
CareerLink. within the group, or when people are being interviewed for several similar
• The video can be utilized roles within the company. It is important to thoughtfully and intelligently
for your own purposes or contribute, be attentive to the contributions of others, and not to
sent to others for review. monopolize the conversation.
• You can request CDS staff
to review and provide TELEPHONE INTERVIEW
feedback.
Telephone interviews are an effective way to quickly and cost-effectively
Mock-Interview during screen or hire candidates. If there will be more than one interview, the first
Drop-In Career Counseling may be conducted by phone. Candidates being seriously considered may be
• Practice a mock-interview invited to a subsequent on-site interview.
with CDS staff on a first-
come, first-served basis, If you are not ready for an interview when called, politely request that the
without an appointment. interviewer call back at another, mutually convenient, time. This request will
allow you to refresh your memory on the organization and consider what
• The mock-interview will last
points you want to make.
approximately 15-20
minutes. Then CDS staff
All of the advice about interview skills still applies. Your attire is your
will provide 10-15 minutes
choice, but you may find that dressing professionally increases your
of feedback and or
confidence and allows you to perform better. Keep your resume, company
suggestions.
research, points that you want to highlight, and list of questions handy; in
• You will need to bring your
fact, keep these in front of you during the interview for easy reference.
resume and a copy of the
(Don't shuffle your papers though!) Have a pen and paper available to note
position description (job
any comments or questions that may occur to you during the interview.
posting).
• Even if you are not applying Choose your words carefully and be succinct. It is also important to vary
to a specific position, you your voice tone, tempo, and pitch to keep the employer's attention. Ensure
will need to bring a sample that you are in a private setting to eliminate distractions and background
position description to noise.
effectively conduct a mock-
interview. VIDEO CONFERENCING
Employer Interviews In this type of interview, recruiters use video technology to conduct
• Each semester, CDS brings interviews at a distance. Use the same strategies you would if you were
various local employers on meeting in person; clothing, body language, and dialogue are important.
campus to provide mock- Depending on the sophistication of the technology, you may experience
interviews for students. short transmission delays.
• Employers will vary each
semester. Make eye contact with the camera, which, to the employer, appears as
• Students can register for direct "eye contact." Remember to check the monitor periodically to
this event on Dolphin observe the interviewer's body language.
CareerLink under
“Workshops.” If speaking on camera makes you nervous, try to practice in front of a video
• Please visit the CDS camera or mirror before your interview.
website to find out which
employers will be on
campus.
 AFTER THE INTERVIEW SECOND INTERVIEW

• Send a thank you note When interviewing you for a long-term position, a prospective employer
within 48 hours! Make sure may invite you and other finalists to visit the organization. The visit can
you express your continued take from one hour to an entire day. One purpose is to allow you to meet
interest in the position. other staff. The second is to give more people an opportunity to interview
• Follow-up with the you in greater depth to determine whether a good match is developing.
employer regarding the
position. One of the Do not assume that a second interview will lead to a job offer; ensure you
questions you should always actively listen, ask relevant questions, and collect specific information about
ask at the end of an the company so you can elaborate on how your strengths match the
interview is “What is the organization's requirements. Use the opportunity to observe the work
next step in the hiring environment (physical space, relations between employees, work pace) to
process?” If you were given determine if the setting matches what you are seeking.
permission during the
interview to follow-up in APPROACHES TO INTERVIEWING
two weeks, you don’t have
to worry about contacting Structured Interview
them too soon or too late.
• Conduct research on The goal of this approach is to reduce bias and assist the employer in
potential salary offerings for making an objective decision. Typically, each candidate is asked the same
the position. If you need set of questions, responses are recorded, and ratings are assigned to each
help with salary negotiating, response.
please visit Career
Development Services Unstructured Interview
during Drop-In Career
Counseling after the In this format of interview, questions are based on the applicant's resume,
interview ASAP. so different questions will be posed to each applicant. Without structured
guidelines, the conversation can be free flowing, thus making this method
of interviewing the most prone to bias. Although this type of interview may
seem more casual, you must still be well prepared and know the points
you want to make. Be careful not to provide information you would not
have communicated if the interview was more structured.

Ending the Interview

When it appears that the interviewer is about to end the interview, you
should make sure you have covered certain points before you leave the
room. Make sure you understand the process that will occur before a
candidate is selected for the job (another interview, meetings with other
individuals in the organization, etc.). Ask the interviewer when you can
expect to hear about a decision or ask when you should make an inquiry
as a follow-up.

Enthusiastically express your interest in the position (unless you are sure that
you are not interested) and thank the interviewer for interviewing you. Ask
for a business card or ensure that you have the interviewer's name, title, and
address so that you can send a thank you letter. Make sure your letter is sent
within 48 hours of the interview. In addition to being a standard business
courtesy, a thank you letter may tip the scales in your favor if you are in close
contention for the job.
Interview Evaluation

If you do not receive a job offer and you felt that the fit was very good,
consider contacting the interviewer for feedback on your performance. Did
the interviewer hire someone better qualified for the position? If so, what
additional qualifications might you need to be hired for a similar position?
Did you adequately present your qualifications? If not, stay motivated but
learn from any feedback and make necessary changes for your next
interview.

CONTACT INFORMATION

CAREER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

One University Drive, Bell Tower 1548

(805) 437-3270 (office)
(805) 437-8899 (fax)
[email protected]

For further assistance please visit us during

Drop-In Career Counseling.