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!
How do you handle stress and pressure?
Looking for examples; be specific!
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 an appropriate time frame for follow up with an interviewer after an interview?
1 week or less.
What can/should you do in order to prepare for an interview?
Research the company, practice mock interviews, familiarize yourself with common interview questions, print copies of your resume, create a list of your relevant accomplishments, get your clothes organized, plan your route there etc.
What are three of your strengths, explain?
Be creative and elaborate; provide examples. Bonus for incorporating how your strengths play into the job you're applying for!
Describe a time when you made a mistake.
The here key is to be honest without placing blame on other people. Explain what you learned from your mistake and what actions you took to ensure it didn’t happen again.
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
What are three categories you should include on your résumé?
Name, contact information, education, experience, honors and awards, activities and affiliations.
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 achievement?
This can be individual or team based. School, work, or sport related!
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?
How would you go about establishing your credibility quickly with the team?
Provide an example! Talk about how you have done this in the past! Think about the company and who you will be working with; what are their expectations?
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 a conflict at work 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.
You will be asked a question related to DEI in every interview. 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?
48 hours maximum.