What is the Purpose of an Interview?

• Accurately assess competency, qualifications and motivation (for both the candidate and employer). 
• Clarify specific position needs/requirements, and to establish rapport.
• Interviews can take place over different platforms (phone, virtually or in-person) and some may involve multiple rounds of interviews to narrow down the candidate pool. Interviews may be one-on-one, panel, group or demonstration. Always ask about the format of your interview and who will be interviewing you so that you can prepare adequately. 
• Everyone interviewed is qualified. Interviews help employers evaluate candidates that stand out from the rest. 
• View our Interviewing Video for more information. 

Before the Interview

Know Yourself and Your Value Proposition

• What differentiates you from other candidates? Analyze how your strengths, values, personal and academic experiences and interests relate to the position for which you are applying.
• If you are unsure about your values/interests/personality/and skills, schedule a Career Exploration appointment with a career coach or visit https://www.ut.edu/campus-life/career-services/career-exploration

Review your Accomplishments

• Create a list of the experiences you have had (jobs, internships, volunteer, campus involvement, projects or class assignments completed, etc.) What are you most proud of and how does that relate to your qualifications?

Research the Career Field, Company and Job Description

• To conduct research, utilize company websites, LinkedIn, articles, associations, online research engines. 
• The more you know and understand about the company and position, the better the impression you will make. 
• Make sure you have a clear description of the job and the required skills. Compare your experience to the qualifications.

Practice Potential Interview Questions

• Create a list of skills and personal characteristics the job requires.
• For each skill/personal characteristic this job requires, find strong examples from your accomplishment list to back it up, then practice answering potential questions as if you are telling a story. We call these, “storytelling” answers.

Write Down 5 to 8 Questions to Ask the Employer

• Don’t ask obvious questions you can find on the company’s website, but rather, after you do your research, ask questions related to what you found as it relates to the position for which you are interviewing.

Think of Credible References

• Ask past colleagues, supervisors, or faculty who have worked with you and know your strengths and skills. Create a single page listing 3 to 5 contacts. The heading should be the same as on your resume and cover letter. Only submit upon request. You typically submit these during the online application process.

Prepare for the Interview Day

• Find out time, place, and review the traffic pattern for the time you will be commuting for the interview to avoid unexpected traffic. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your interview so you do not feel rushed. 
• Ask about the format of the interview and who will be present to conduct the interview. You can walk into the interview room and find 2 or 12 people –Expect the unexpected! 

Day of the Interview

Dress for Success - First Impressions Count!

• Keep it simple and professional. Research the industry/company and identify company culture. 
• Exude confidence, enthusiasm, willingness to learn, courtesy and positivity in your non-verbal and verbal behaviors.
• Smile, use a firm handshake, make eye contact, demonstrate positive body language and enunciate. 
• Bring a padfolio with enough copies of your resume for all interviewers, along with any additional documents you think would be of interest to the employer (i.e. letter of recommendation or samples demonstrating your work). 
• Don’t be negative or place blame on past employers. Positivity and “likeability” weigh into the hiring decision.
• Communicate how you have learned from previous experiences and set yourself apart from other candidates.

Answering Questions

• Be concise and avoid rambling. Mock interviews can help with this. 
• Give specific answers and provide specific examples in every response. We call this “storytelling.” 
• Utilize the S.T.A.R. formula when asked behavioral questions to help you with your “storytelling.”