Interview Basics
When should you arrive for your interview?
10-15 minutes early
What should you bring with your to the interview?
Several copies of your resume. Optional: Copy of cover letter or recommendation letters
How long should your resume be?
One page
Tell me about yourself.
Elevator pitch around one minute introducing yourself and your qualifications
Soft skills are transferable interpersonal skills that can be used in any setting. Name three soft skills an employer might look for.
Communication, leadership, writing skills, public speaking, customer service, organization, problem solving, etc
Give an example of appropriate interview attire
Slacks and a button down, a suit, a nice sweater, clean shoes, etc.
Name something you should avoid in your body language during an interview
Slouching, excessive fidgeting, crossing your arms, avoiding eye contact, etc
What are three sections your should include on your resume?
Contact info, work experience, education. Optional: objective statement
What are your biggest strengths?
Highlight transferrable skills: leadership, technical skills, willingness to learn, customer service skills, etc
What is a coping skill you can use to calm your nerves before an interview?
Practcie common questions before hand, breathing exercises, rest and avoid caffeine, pause before answering, etc
What should you do after the interview ends?
Send a followup email thanking the interviewer
If an interviewer asks about your former employer, what should you do?
Avoid speaking poorly about your previous employer. Share a neutral answer, such as "I am looking to grow my skills and career in a new environment."
How should you order your work experience?
Starting with the most recent
What is your greatest weakness?
Show improvement and try to frame it positively: I struggle to delegate tasks due to perfectionism. To counter this, I create detailed task lists and check in with colleagues to provide support as needed."
What should you do before listing someone as a referenc on a job application?
Ask them if it is okay and tell them about the job you are applying for. Don't surprise someone with a call about a reference!
Name two things you should do to prepare for a virtual interview
Test your internet, find a quiet space, charge your computer, turn off notifications, etc.
Should you ask about the salary during the interview? Why or why not?
No. You can give your expected salary if the interviewer asks, but bringing it up unprompted can be offputting and make you seem greedy.
What can you do to address a gap in your work experience on your resume?
Write a cover letter and briefly explain the gap.
Describe a time you failed to meet expectations and what you learned from the experience.
In my last position, I had a large project that I had to submit by a certain deadline. I initially underestimated the workload which caused me to struggle to meet the deadline when it got near. I had to work overtime to complete the project on time. I have since learned the importance of making a detailed work plan and setting short term goals before beginning a project, and I have not run into the same issues since.
What two forms are required by the government to be filled out by every employee, both full and part time?
I-9: Work Eligibility
W-4: Tax Withholding
Name one question an interviewer is not legally allowed to ask
Anything that could violate discrimination laws: How old are you? Are you married? Do you have any health conditions? Are you planning on having children? What is your religion?
You should research the company before your interview. Name two things you should look for during this research.
Role responsibilities, company mission or values, company "About Us" section, any competitors to the company, typical salary for the position, etc
How would you improve this statement of job responsibilities?
"I was a cashier and checked people out"
Start with action verbs and highlight transferrable skills.
"Provided timely service during high volume sales hours. Encouraged customers to sign up for loyalty rewards program. Accurately processed transactions to maintain a balanced register."
What questions do you have for me?
(Give two questions to ask an interviewer)
What does a typical day look like in this position? How will my success be measured? What mentorship opportunities are there? What would your ideal candidate look like? What would you like to see me accomplish in the first 6 months here?
How long should you wait before following up if you do not hear back from the interviewer? How can you avoid this uncertainty?
You can send a second follow up 1-2 weeks after the interview. You can avoid the uncertainty by asking your interviewer "When can I expect to hear back from you?"