What’s it take to win in an interview? In many respects, an interview is like a test where you need to respond to questions. The one big difference is that the exam is done orally rather than in writing. You can’t erase an answer. But you can and should prepare.

Here are some general guidelines for doing well in an interview.

• Always support your answers with examples.
• Bring out your strengths and reinforce them. Try to use every question as an opportunity to point out a strength.
• Avoid sounding too rehearsed. By all means don’t memorize responses to typical questions.
• Don’t give bland answers. Make the interviewer remember you.
• Never describe yourself in a negative light.
• Remember the non-verbals.

When you prepare for an interview, you need to prepare for two types of questions. One set of questions deal with facts about yourself. In Exhibit 1, you’ll find a representative list of questions asked and suggestions for how to respond to these. You need to make notes on how you would answer these questions. Be careful. Don’t write out your answer and memorize it. In phone interviews, it’s ok to look at your notes, but don’t read from them.

The second type of interview is more behavioral. You’ll be asked to talk about situations you’ve encountered. Exhibit 2 contains a sample of these questions. For each of these, think why the question is being asked. The interviewer is trying to understand how you handle different situations.

At the conclusion of both interviews, you will be asked for questions you might have. Listed in Exhibit 3 are questions you might ask. Make sure to ask when you might hear back from the company.

Doing well in an interview is no different than doing well on a test. You need to prepare to do well. You should have answers to these questions before you go into the interview.

Exhibit 1

Strategies for Answering Questions

1. Tell me about yourself
   • Describe a little bit of your personal background (where you’re from, what activities you were involved with in school).
   • Describe why you selected your major and highlight any academic accomplishments.
   • Describe any experience you have. Bring up the five key points you want to make.
2. How did you decide on your major?
   • Describe what factors led you to decide on your major.
   • Describe what you hope to do with your major in terms of career.
3. What are your career goals?
   • Describe what you want to accomplish in terms of jobs the interviewer is looking to fill. You can find this information in the literature the organization provides to the career center.
   • Describe career goals in terms of what you want to accomplish.
4. What sets you apart from others who we are interviewing for this job?
   • Mention one or two of your top strengths.
   • Do not make negative comments about anyone else.
   • Describe your response in a matter-of-fact manner, don’t brag.
   • If possible, describe your strengths through the perspective of another person.
5. What are your most significant accomplishments?
   • Mention one of your top strengths.
   • Give specific detailed information.
   • Describe your response in a matter-of–fact manner, don’t brag.
   • Relate your strengths to qualities that are critical for positions being sought by the interviewer.
6. What are your strengths?
   • Give specific examples.
   • Describe your response in a matter-of-fact manner, don’t brag.
   • Relate your strengths to qualities that are critical for positions being sought by the interviewer.
7. What are your weaknesses?
   • Describe weaknesses that would also be strengths.
   • Mention what you are doing about these weaknesses.
   • Don’t mention any weakness that could be a real negative for the job you are interviewing for.
8. What are three adjectives that describe you?
   • Use adjectives that translate to the job you are interviewing for.
   • Give specific examples that support the adjectives.
9. What are the ideal characteristics of a job for you?
   • Mention characteristics that could translate to a variety of jobs in your career interest area.
   • Do your research; don’t say something that would eliminate you from the job you are interviewing for.
   • Specific characteristics you might want to mention include
     • Challenge
     • Variety of assignments
     • Working in teams
     • Goal oriented
10. What are your hobbies and interest?
    • Be honest because the interviewer is likely to ask a number of follow-up questions especially if you share common interests.
    • Be aware of the subtleties in your response. If all of your hobbies are things you do by yourself, you may give the impression of being a loner.
11. Why do you want to work for us?
    • Show that you have done research on the company.
    • Relate your interests to the type of job you are interviewing for.
    • Give specific examples.
12. What were your favorite subjects in college?
    • Use course names, not numbers.
    • Describe what the course covered.
    • Tell the interviewer why you liked the class. If possible match your reasons for liking the course with the job you are interviewing for.
13. What was your most rewarding college experience?
    • Use this opportunity to describe something you did outside of class.
    • Make your description as memorable as possible.
    • Be specific but don’t betray any confidences.
14. What activities did you participate in during school? What did you learn from these?
    • Mention your activities but also mention the contribution you made in these activities.
    • Give the impression you had a reason for these activities.
15. What was your most significant challenge in college?
    • Describe something that you encountered and overcame.
    • Describe something that is linked to career development.
16. What do you want to know about our organization?
    • Show the interviewer that you have done your homework.
    • Ask questions that display your interest in the organization.
    • Don’t ask questions that relate to pay, benefits, working hours, etc. These will be covered later.

Exhibit 2

Sample Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a situation in which you were able to persuade someone to see things your way.
2. Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
3. Give an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or exceed it.
4. Describe an instance when you had to use your presentation skills to influence someone’s opinion.
5. Give a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did not agree.
6. Describe an instance when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.
7. Describe an instance when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks.
8. Give an example of a time when you had to make a split second decision.
9. What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give an example.
10. Describe an instance when you were able to successfully deal with a person that may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).
11. Describe a difficult decision you’ve made in the last year.
12. Give an example of a time when something you tried to accomplish and failed.
13. Give an example of when you showed initiative and took the lead.
14. Describe a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or co-worker.
15. Give an example of a time when you motivated others.
16. Describe a time when you delegated a project effectively.
17. Give an example of a time when you used your fact-finding skills to solve a problem.
18. Describe a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem.
19. Describe a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision.
20. Describe a time when you set your sights too high (or too low).

Exhibit 3

Questions to Ask During an Interview

Ask these questions

1. What do you enjoy most about your job?
2. What are the exciting new activities being undertaken by them?
3. What are the opportunities to pursue my education on a part-time basis?
4. What challenges do young people typically face when they start working?
5. What are typical career paths for people with my academic background?
6. What skills are especially helpful?
7. What are the characteristics of people who do really well with them?

Don’t ask these questions

1. What are the working hours?
2. How much vacation time do I get?
3. What are the fringe benefits?
4. Do I have a choice of who my boss will be?
5. Do you have a dress code?

Note: All of these questions are important and you will need to find out the answers to them, but they give the wrong impression when asked at the first interview..