Tips for a Great Interview

In Advance

• Research typical interview questions 
  • Tell me about yourself?
    • Focus on qualities beneficial to the position
    • Describe personal accomplishments or awards that demonstrate these qualities
  • What are a few of your strengths?
    • Highlight knowledge based skills (languages, computer skills) or transferable skills (communication, problem solving, adaptability, teamwork)
    • Describe specific situations demonstrating these strengths
  • Tell us about a mistake you have made on the job.
    • Focus on a situation with a positive ending
    • Emphasize how you solved the problem or learned something new
• Practice your responses
  • Use a mirror or video camera to observe body gestures and facial expressions
  • Ask for a friend for feedback or record yourself. Click here for sample recording website.  
• Prepare your own questions about the position 
  • What is your favorite thing about the job?
  • What does an average work day look like?

At the Interview 

• Be on time
  • Verify location and room of the interview 
  • Arrive 5-10 minutes early
• Be confident
  • Use relaxation techniques to calm your nerves
    • Take 10 slow, deep breaths
    • Think of 10 people or things you are grateful for
    • Show confident body language (shoulders back, direct eye contact)

• Be professional
  • Wear well – fitting clothes in neutral colors 
  • Show good hygiene (clean hands and fresh breath)