Pre-Interview
What is a resume?
A list of your personal information, skills, and accomplishments.
What are 3 of your strengths?
Answers vary: I'm a hard worker, a good listener, and I'm organized.
How do you handle stress and pressure?
Looking for examples; be specific!
What tools do you use to keep yourself organized?
Answers vary: keep a calendar, set alarms and reminders.
True or False: Should you thank your interviewer?
True. A good way is to say, "Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing back from you."
What should you wear to an interview?
Business or professional clothes.
Have you ever had a job before? Tell us about it.
Talk about a previous job or a job you want to have.
Describe a time when you were a leader.
Answers vary: Being team leader at VT, helping a teacher, standing up for a friend.
What three character traits would your friends use to describe you?
My friends would say I am caring, creative, and funny.
Name an appropriate way to follow up with an interviewer.
Email, call, set up a meeting.
True or False: You should arrive early to an interview.
True: You should try to arrive 5-10 minutes before your interview.
What is an area 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!
What makes you a good employee?
Do you turn in projects on time? Are you a good communicator? Do you show up on time?
Have you ever been on a team where you didn't get along with someone? How did you handle it?
Do you talk to the person about the problem? Do you gossip or report them to your supervisor? An employer wants to understand how you’re going to interact with others.
What is a good time frame to contact your interviewer about the next steps?
1-2 weeks. This gives them the opportunity to interview other people and make decisions.
How can you handle being nervous before an interview?
Answers vary: take a deep breathe, go for a walk, positive affirmations, etc.
Why do you want to work for us?
Answers vary: Just be yourself :)
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?
Describe a time where you worked as a part of a team.
Team work can encompass a variety of things including communication, problem solving, meeting goals, helping others, respect, and dependability.
How can you deal with nerves when waiting for results?
Answers vary: Talk to a friend, journal, positive affirmations, etc.
Who can you list as a reference on your resume?
A previous employer, teacher, coworker.
What jobs/tasks do you like to do?
Answers vary: Just be honest and authentic :)
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?
What questions do you have for the interviewer?
1. How would you describe a typical day in this position?
2. When can I expect to hear from you?
3. What are the biggest challenges of this job?
4. What type of skills do you feel are needed to be successful in this position?
5. What is the best part about this job?
When offered a job; what is an appropriate time frame to accept or decline?
2-3 days, if you don't want the job, it is important to let them know so they can continue looking for employees.