Interviews can feel stressful, but preparing ahead of time can help you feel more confident and ready to talk about your skills and experience. Career Services can help you practice, prepare your answers, and learn what to expect before you meet with an employer.

Practice Common Interview Questions

Knowing what questions you may be asked can help you feel more prepared. Interview Prep provides common interview questions and examples across different careers, skills, and companies.

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Use the questions to practice talking about your experiences, skills, accomplishments, and career goals. You don't need to memorize your answers. Instead, focus on being comfortable talking about your experiences and connecting them to the position.

Prepare for Common Questions

Many interviews include questions about your background, experience, and interest in the position. Practice answering questions such as:

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why are you interested in this position?
  • What are your strengths?
  • Tell me about a challenge you faced and how you handled it.
  • Describe a time you worked as part of a team.
  • Why should we hire you?
  • Where do you see yourself in the future?

Think about specific examples from your classes, work experience, internships, student organizations, volunteer activities, or other experiences. These examples can help you show an employer what you can do.

Use the STAR Method

Behavioral interview questions often ask you to describe a specific situation or experience. The STAR method can help you organize your response.

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

You don't have to follow the STAR method word-for-word. Use it as a guide to make sure your answer includes enough detail and clearly shows your role.

Before the Interview

A little preparation can make a big difference. Before your interview:

  • Research the organization and the position.
  • Review the job description and identify skills the employer is looking for.
  • Prepare a few questions to ask the interviewer.
  • Practice answering common questions out loud.
  • Choose appropriate professional attire.
  • Confirm the interview time, location, or virtual meeting details.
  • Bring a copy of your résumé and any other requested materials.

During the Interview

Remember that an interview is a conversation. Listen carefully to each question and take a moment to think before answering. Be honest, be yourself, and use specific examples when you can.

It's also okay to ask an interviewer to repeat or clarify a question if you're not sure what they are asking.

Practice With Career Services

You don't have to prepare for an interview on your own. Career Services can help you practice your answers, talk through your experiences, and build confidence before your interview. Book an appointment with our Academic and Career Coach Jennifer Rankin for personalized guidance.