Current Students > Career Center > Preparing for a Job Interview

Very few people are offered jobs without first successfully completing one or more job interviews. Interviews will either be stressful or relaxed, but remember you are still being evaluated. Your response of the situation will lead to either a job offer or rejection.

Remember - locating employers, sending resumes, setting up interviews, etc. is all part of one ending goal: finding a job you like. Read the following questions and think about how they may impact your future interview with any company.

• What kind of job are you looking for?
• What do you see yourself doing at age 30, 45, and beyond?
• Why did you apply for this job?
• What do you hope to get out of this job?
  

ANAYLIZE YOUR BACKGROUND

• Do you have any work experience (including part-time or volunteer) related to the job?
• How did your education help prepare you for this work?
• Are there areas in which you plan to take additional courses or training to help augment your qualifications?
• What skills do you possess that could be an asset to the company?
  
  

• What kinds of skills do you possess which might help in the job?
• Can you cite cases where your abilities led to special recognition or helped you to accomplish a difficult task?
• Do you have samples of your work to bring to the interview?

KNOW YOUR VALUES

• What is important to you?
• How do you feel about your life to date?
• What motivates you to achieve?
• If asked, be prepared to describe yourself with a one or two-minute summary.

KNOW YOUR INTERESTS

• What do you like to do?
• What do you do well?
• How can these interests be used on this job?
• Do these interests indicate to you that you will like this job and do it well?

OBSERVE YOUR WEAKNESSES (should you be asked about them)

• What are your weaknesses?
• Think of "weaknesses" which might actually prove to be assets in the job (such as being impatient and wanting to accomplish tasks quickly).
• Try to recast your "weaknesses" as assets.

BE PREPARED WITH YOUR OWN QUESTIONS

• Arrive at each interview with at least three good questions to ask the employer.
• But wait to ask them until they fit naturally into the conversation.

STAY CALM AND ALERT

• Come to the interview prepared to take part in a two-way conversation.
• Listen carefully to the interviewer and respond as precisely as possible-usually with a two- or three-sentence answer.
• Don't relax too much, keep alert and above all, be positive.