Job interviews
Navigating the job market involves understanding that different types of employers have distinct processes for recruiting, evaluating and hiring new employees. Whether you're applying to a large corporation, a small startup, a nonprofit organization, or a government agency, knowing how they hire can help you tailor your job search strategy and increase your chances of success.
Resources for interviewing
- Sample Interview Questions
- InterviewPrep (log in with umn.edu email) - Practice your responses to interview questions on video as many times as you need.
- What to do/not do
- Bad/average Interview - Check out this sample interview video. What could this person do differently to improve?
- Good interview - Now watch the same student answer the same questions in a more effective manner!
- Do you need a quiet space for a virtual interview? Reserve a room, laptop, or webcam in the Interview Center.
Prepare
Tips for Online Interviews
- Show up to your online interview as you would in person. We recommend dressing as you would for an in person interview. This means anticipating what your industry expects when it comes to dress code.
- Eliminate distractions if and when possible. We can’t always control our home environment! Pets, family members and other things might interfere. Try your best to let others know you need the time and space. If unterruptions happen, it’s okay! You can acknowledge it and keep the interview going by bringing your attention back to the interviewer.
- Test things out beforehand! Here are some suggestions:
- The lighting in the room. A darker room will make it more difficult to see you.
- Your device (computer or phone) and it’s internet connection. You can check to see if your device plans on making any software updates the day of your interview and schedule them for later or do it ahead of time.
- Get familiar with the online platform the interview will take place on. Although Zoom is common, not every employer will use it. Try to log on to the interviewing platform beforehand if possible. This will help you feel more comfortable when the interview begins.
- Have a plan if internet disruptions occur. Remember that it’s okay, as this is not always in your control. You can have a plan for if it happens so you don’t panic and freeze on how to fix it in the moment. One option could be to make sure you have the interviewer’s direct phone number to connect with if video becomes inaccessible.
- Keep your eye contact with the camera versus the computer screen when you are responding to the interviewer’s questions. This will make a virtual interview feel more like an in person experience.
- Be sure to double check the time zone of the interview time scheduled. Is it local or not?
- If you have access to headphones, it might be a good idea to use them. This helps with minimizing unexpected external noise like echos.
- Practice your interview skills by using InterviewStream. It never hurts to brush up on your skills! InterviewStream is a helpful free online tool to help you practice.
- It’s okay to use a notepad to have notes next to you or take notes during the interview. Be sure to let the interviewer know you’ll be taking notes because they might not actually be able to see what you're doing!
- Remember that you can always book an appointment with a CEHD Career Coach if you would like help with preparing for an interview!
One of the biggest mistakes interviewers make is failing to research the employer. Comprehensive research on the employer is an essential step in preparing for an interview.
- The organization's website.
- Informational interviews with current or former employees
- Handshake
- Organization profile on LinkedIn
- U of M Business Library
- Google News for news articles and press releases
Interview questions are many times developed around the skills and qualities listed in the job posting. By knowing the position you can anticipate potential interview questions.
- Carefully review the job description and create a list of skills and qualities required.
- Anticipate questions the interviewer may ask given the list of skills and qualities you created.
- Talk to professionals in similar types of positions in different organizations.
- Create a list of your “rock star moments” – the times you did outstanding work in a paid, volunteer, or involvement experience. Be prepared to talk about the qualities and skills you showed during these moments.
- Identify your top 3-5 skills and qualities for the position and consider how you will communicate these skills and qualities in the interview.
- What are your transferable skills and how can you use them for this position?
- What content (your field of study) knowledge do you have that relates to this position? Think about what you have learned from your coursework, internships, paid or volunteer experiences and use jargon and language associated with your field of study.
- What makes you different or unique compared to other candidates with similar experiences?
- Be prepared to clearly communicate why this specific position with this specific organization is a good fit for your career goals. Employers want to know why you are interested in working for their organization.
- Prepare answers to interview questions focusing on your “rock star moments”, skills, and qualities.
- Rehearse and practice potential interview questions out loud
- Schedule a practice interview with a career coach
- Do an online practice interview with InterviewStream
- Have at least 2-3 questions prepared. Avoid simple yes/no questions.
- Demonstrate interest in the position you are interviewing for by asking questions.
- Ask questions you really care about, demonstrate your knowledge, and show interest in the company/organization.
- Don’t ask a question if it has already been answered – consider asking the interviewer(s) to elaborate.
First impressions are very important during an interview. Consider the following to ensure you make a great first impression.
- Arrive 10 minutes early, never arrive late.
- Do a test run to the interview location prior to the actual interview.
- Be kind and considerate to all staff you interact with including administrative assistants and receptionists.
- Greet the interviewer with enthusiasm using appropriate eye contact and smile.
- Show confidence by standing and shaking the interviewer’s hand. Use a medium to firm handshake.
- Introduce yourself using both your first and last name.
It is not only the content of your answers to interview questions, but how you present yourself during the interview that are critical.
- Dress appropriately for the interview.
- Be mindful of nonverbal communication and body language.
- Avoid “ums” and “like”.
- Don’t fidget with your hair, accessories, or pen.
- Speak slowly and clearly. We speak more quickly when nervous.
- Don’t ramble or tell your interviewer more than they need to know. Focus on answering the specific question.
Have a prepared closing statement that reiterates your skills and qualifications along with your interest in the position for the end of the interview.
- Thank the interviewer(s) for their time.
- Ask for next steps and timeline for the hiring process.
- Ask for the business cards of all interviewers.
Follow-up
Following-up after an interview is an excellent way to show you are on top of things and really interested in the position.
- Send a thank you letter to everyone who interviewed you within 48 hours of the interview.
- Respect the hiring timeline outlined during the interview. Don’t call too early or too often.
- Call the employer in the appropriate timeframe to inquire about the status of the hiring process.
During the interview
First impressions are very important during an interview. Consider the following to ensure you make a great first impression.
- Arrive 10 minutes early to an in-person interview. Log in about 5 minutes before a virtual interview.
- Do a test run to the interview location prior to the actual interview. Pay attention to how long it took you to get there. Look for parking options.
- Be kind and considerate to all staff you interact with in person and via email, including administrative assistants and receptionists.
- Greet the interviewer(s) with enthusiasm using appropriate eye contact and smile.
- If appropriate, show confidence by standing and shaking the interviewer’s hand. Use a medium to firm handshake. If it is not your custom to shake hands, politely let the interviewer know this. You can say something like, “It’s very nice to meet you. I do not shake hands.”
- Introduce yourself using your first and last name. Let the interviewer know your preferred name if it is different from what you just said. You can say something like, “My name is Goldenrod Gopher but everyone calls me Goldy.”
Your behavior and appearance during an interview are as important as the content of your answers to interview questions.
- Dress appropriately for the interview.
- Be mindful of nonverbal communication and body language.
- Avoid filler words and phrases such as “um,” “like,” and “you know.”
- Notice if you fidget with your hair, accessories, or pen.
- Speak slowly and clearly. We speak more quickly when nervous.
- Don’t ramble or tell your interviewer more than they need to know. Focus on answering the specific question.
Have a prepared closing statement that reiterates your skills and qualifications along with your interest in the position for the end of the interview.
- Thank the interviewer(s) for their time.
- Ask for next steps and timeline for the hiring process.
- Ask for the business cards or contact information of all interviewers.
Interview Questions
Interviewers ask behavioral interview questions to hear specific examples and details about the skills and experiences the applicant has related to the position. These questions typically begin with phrases such as “Tell me about a time when …” or “Describe a situation in which you …”
When answering behavioral interview questions, it is important to use a specific example and the components of the P.A.R. technique.
Problem: What was the situation and specific problem that had to be addressed?
Action: What specific skills/tools did you use to address the task?
Result: What was the result of your behavior?
Sample question/answer
Question: Describe a time when you took the initiative to do something when it wasn’t your responsibility to do so.
Answer: (Problem) The past two years, I have been in a mentor program. During the course of the program, I noticed there were other student and alumni matches in our area, but we didn’t have a formal way to connect with each other. (Action) When I became aware of this, I scheduled a time to meet with the mentor program coordinator to talk about ways to increase our networks. We developed a plan to start a blog for participants to talk about their experiences and share insights from the program. (Result) As a result of our thoughtful approach we increased networking opportunities among the members in the program. It was a huge success!
- Tell me about a time when you had great difficulty communicating your thoughts clearly to another person or group and how you handled this situation.
- Tell me about the most significant project you worked on in which it was crucial to keep track of details while still managing the “big picture.”
- Describe a time when you took the initiative to do something when it wasn’t your responsibility to do so.
- Discuss a time when you were responsible for a project that didn’t go the way you expected. How did you handle it?
- Tell me about a time you took a leadership role amongst your peers. What specific things did you do that showed leadership and how did others respond to you as a leader?
- Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult person. What made them difficult and how did you handle those interactions?
- Describe a time when you worked on an effective team. Why was the team effective and what was your role in the team’s success?
- Tell me about a time when you had to motivate or excite others about a project or event. What strategies did you use to make this happen?
- Tell me about an aggressive goal that you achieved. What specific steps did you take to achieve the goal?
- Tell me about a time when you built strong relationships where none existed before.
- Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures.
Sample interview questions
Experience
- Tell me about yourself.
- How have your past experiences prepared you for this position?
- What has been your most important accomplishment to date?
- What is your greatest strength?
- Describe a weakness that you have as it relates to your career goals.
- If I were to ask one of your professors (or your supervisor) to describe you, what would he or she say?
- What do you believe is your strongest qualification for this position? Why?
- What is your definition of diversity and what experience do you have working with diverse populations?
Organization/position
- What do you know about our company/organization?
- Why are you interested in working for our company/organization?
- What do you think it takes to be successful in this position?
- What is your ideal position/career?
- Why should we hire you? What do you think you could contribute to our organization?
- What qualities do you look for in an ideal supervisor?
Education
- What is your educational background?
- How has your education prepared you for your career?
- Do you have plans to further your education?
Goals and motivation
- What are your goals for the next 5-10 years?
- What motivates you when working on something you don’t enjoy?
- What have you done to show initiative?
Interpersonal skills
- Do you prefer to work individually or as part of a team?
- Do you consider yourself more detail oriented or more creative? Explain.
- How do you handle conflict?
- What strategies do you use to relieve everyday tension and stress?
- How do you respond when your ideas are rejected?
- What kinds of people do you work best with?
- How have you handled problems with co-workers?
Unique questions
- If you were a kitchen appliance, which would you be and why?
- If you could be any color of the rainbow, what color would you be? Why?
P.A.R. technique
- Problem: What was the situation and specific problem that had to be addressed?
- Action: What specific skills/tools did you use to address the task?
- Result: What was the result of your behavior?
Sample question/answer
Question: Describe a time when you took the initiative to do something when it wasn’t your responsibility to do so.
Answer (Problem): The past two years, I have been in a mentor program. During the course of the program, I noticed there were many other student and alumni matches in our area, but we didn’t have a formal way to connect with each other. (Action) When I became aware of this, I scheduled a time to meet with the mentor program coordinator to talk about ways to increase our networks. We developed a plan to start a blog for participants to talk about their experiences and share insights from the program. (Result) As a result of our thoughtful approach we increased networking opportunities among the members in the program. It was a huge success!
Sample behavioral interview questions
- Tell me about a time when you had great difficulty communicating your thoughts clearly to another person or group and how you handled this situation.
- Tell me about the most significant project you worked on in which it was crucial to keep track of details while still managing the “big picture.”
- Describe a time when you took the initiative to do something when it wasn’t your responsibility to do so.
- Discuss a time when you were responsible for a project that didn’t go the way you expected. How did you handle it?
- Tell me about a time you took a leadership role amongst your peers. What specific things did you do that showed leadership and how did others respond to you as a leader?
- Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult person. What made them difficult and how did you handle those interactions?
- Describe a time when you worked on an effective team. Why was the team effective and what was your role in the team’s success?
- Tell me about a time when you had to motivate or excite others about a project or event. What strategies did you use to make this happen?
- Tell me about an aggressive goal that you achieved. What specific steps did you take to achieve the goal?
- Tell me about a time when you built strong relationships where none existed before.
- Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventative measures.