Preparing for an Interview
This is where all your work ultimately pays off—skills assessment, resume development, and communication with targeted employers. Preparation and practice are key to successful interviewing. A lack of thorough employer research is often interpreted as poor preparation and a lack of interest in the employer.
Quick Tips:
- Know your resume “inside and out.”
- Understand that the resume emphasizes your skills and accomplishments; it may be used in the interview to guide the conversation or as reference.
- Verbally practice answering questions (Yes! Out loud!)
- Do employer research.
- Attend an employer information sessions on campus if available
- Prepare your materials, clothing, and transportation the night prior to the interview so that you are not rushed the day of.
- Dress professionally for the interview
- Answer every interview question with supportive information; never provide a simple one- or two-word answer.
- At the end of the interview, ask questions. Doing this demonstrates your interest in the employer and allows you to better assess the opportunity
- After the interview, follow-up with a thank you!