Pre-Interview
What is a résumé?
A powerful self-marketing tool that helps you land an interview
Tell me about yourself.
Looking for something creative here! Don’t repeat what’s already on your résumé! Speak to you main selling points.
Consider the PAWS formula:
P - 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 commitment to the field
A - Academic: Talk about your educational background (degrees/diplomas/certifications) and other related training and professional development initiatives/courses that you participated in.
W - Work: Highlight paid or unpaid experience related to the job.
S - Skills: Refer to specific technical skills that relate to the position or field
How do you handle stress and pressure?
“I work well under pressure, and do my best to complete tasks on time even in stressful situations. When I find myself under a lot of pressure because of a deadline, I make a specific schedule for myself to help me get my work done, and having specific times for each task helps me manage it.”
What techniques and tools do you use to keep yourself organized?
An employer is trying to get a basic understanding for how you work, and if they will have to manage you or if you can manage yourself. Be specific. Is this a strength?
What is the next step, after the interview?
Send a follow-up/thank-you email to the person who interviewed you in. Thank them for their time and ask if you can send anything in that would help them make their decision. Consider waiting 24-48 hours to write your thank you email.
What is an Elevator Speech?
A clear, brief message or summary about you communicating who you are, what you're looking for and how you can benefit a company or organization. This is what you say when an employer asks you "Tell me about yourself".
What are three of your strengths, explain?
Be creative and elaborate; provide examples. Include how your strengths play into the job you're applying for!
Describe a time when you exercised leadership.
Everyone has done this. It is OK to draw on this experience! Be sure to include the results of what example you are giving. Draw from professional, volunteer, school or personal experience.
What three character traits would your friends use to describe you?
Often times when people have to speak on behalf of others, they are more honest and accurate. Questions regarding how others portray you and what they think about you can be more insightful than self-reflection.
Name two appropriate ways to follow up with an interviewer?
Personal Card, Email, Connect on LinkedIn, Phone Call.
What are three categories you should include on your résumé?
Name, contact information, highlight of qualifications, work experience, volunteer experience, education and awards.
What are 3 areas of improvement for you, explain?
Often called weaknesses, but you should refer to them as areas of improvement! We all have them, be vulnerable and honest. Most importantly, be reflective enough to answer how you are addressing and working on your areas of improvement!
Give me an example of a time that you felt you went above and beyond.
The question asks for an example, don’t stop there. What are the results of when you did this? How did you go about doing it? They are trying to understand your thought process and what motivates you.
Have you ever been on a team where someone was not pulling their own weight? How did you handle it?
Do you pick up the slack? Do you say something to that person? Do you gossip or report them to your supervisor? An employer wants to understand how you’re going to interact with others.
What should you say in your follow up with an interviewer?
Thank them for the opportunity to interview and give a specific example of something they said that was impactful for you.
Why is your social media important to look at before an interview?
Employers will research your profiles! If you have spelling mistakes, profanity, inappropriate pictures, etc. it could spoil your opportunity for the job.
What is your greatest professional achievement?
This can be individual or team based. School, work, or sport related – remember being a DI Athlete is professional experience!
What type of work environment do you prefer.
Think broadly AND about the company that you are interviewing with! What type of work environment do they promote? Team oriented vs. Individual? Quiet vs. Loud? Open to ideas/change vs. Sound in their history?
What is your dream job?
Along similar lines, the interviewer wants to uncover whether this position is really in line with your ultimate career goals. While “an NBA star” might get you a few laughs, a better bet is to talk about your goals and ambitions—and why this job will get you closer to them.
When is an acceptable time to bring up the topic of pay/salary?
After you have been offered the job.
What are two things you know about an employer/company before an interview?
Company size and location, industry trends, any recent headlines or big accomplishments, clients, projects, or products.
Tell me about a challenge or conflict that you have faced and how did you handle it?
Be honest and authentic. It is important to emphasize how you handled it and what were the results that followed!
Tell me about a time when you had to give someone difficult feedback. How did you handle it?
Conflict is tough! Tough conversations are tough! Do you shy away from them? Address them head on? Do you take people’s feelings into consideration?
Please share with us what diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you and why they’re important.
Employers want to know that you grasp the true meaning of each term and that you share a commitment to fostering them in the workplace.
When offered a job; what is an appropriate time frame to accept or decline?