An interview is an opportunity for you to convey to an employer that you have the skills, qualifications, and motivation to perform a job or internship. An interview is also an opportunity for you to determine if you are interested in the position, the organization, and its mission. An interview gives an employer the opportunity to determine if your skills, training, and personality align well with their position, team, and mission. Download our Interview Preparation handout (PDF - 274KB) for a detailed overview.
Key questions an employer has during an interview:
Phone Interview: telephone interviews are common first-round interviews. Employers seek to screen candidates, confirm their qualifications (determined via career fairs and applications) and their interest in the role.
In-person Interview: being invited on-site is typically the second round of the interview process; it can be the only interview as well. Conversations are face-to-face at a specific location, sometimes one-on-one but often with multiple potential team members and managers/leaders.
Virtual Interview: an interview using video conferencing software such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco WebEx, and more can be a first- or second-round interview. Some employers use asynchronous video interviews for screening: you must record your answers to pre-recorded questions, with no live interaction with an interviewer. Tips for Video Interviews (PDF - 172KB)
When you are invited for an interview, always ask questions to be certain you know what to expect and how to prepare! The most important questions to ask if unclear:
Typically brief (15-30 minutes) and conducted by an HR or recruiting professional over telephone or video. Screening interviews are used to confirm whether you are still interested in the opportunity, and you're likely to be asked to answer fundamental questions about your background and what motivated you to apply. You may be presented with information such as the maximum salary or a change in the job description, so you can consider whether you'd like to continue or withdraw from consideration.
The first interview may be with a recruiting professional or a manager/supervisor of the role. While the formats can vary, these are typically 30-60 minutes and provide the employer with the opportunity to get to know more about the skills and experiences listed in your application materials. Preparing for Common Questions (PDF - 196 KB) and Behavioral Interview Questions that relate to the job description is most important.
For most professional positions and many internships, it is common to have at least two rounds of interviews. In a second or third round, you are typically interviewing directly with the manager or supervisor of the position, meeting potential colleagues and teammates, and touring the office where you'd be working. You may be asked to deliver a presentation, perform a technical task, or participate in a case study. The type of interview experience you have will be influenced by the industry and the role. It is critically important to research what to expect in your field or discipline.
A case interview is a type of job interview in which you must analyze and solve a particular business/work scenario (“case study”). It is used to simulate an on-the-job situation to learn more about your analytical and communications skills.
Case interviews are highly interactive; you will be provided not only with a scenario but with data and likely ambiguous information. Rather than dive into answering the main question, it is important that you ask questions, gather more information, articulate your thought process and approaches to the interviewer.
The interviewer is looking for an analytical and creative thought process, and there is not necessarily a right or wrong answer. It will be essential for you to process the scenario aloud so the interviewer can understand your thought process in solving the problem.
Utilize case interview preparation guides and materials, such as those found on sites like Vault.com and Management Consulted, to practice and prepare.
Technical interviews are common for employers recruiting for STEM fields (e.g., engineering, IT, science, or software). It is an interview to assess your technical ability for the role, and the depth and breadth of your knowledge in your chosen field.
Technical interviews are designed to assess your problem-solving skills, communication skills, and ability to think under pressure. As with case interviews, the process is important. How you go about solving a given challenge is of interest to employers; it gives them a glimpse into how you would solve a real-world problem at work.
A panel interview is when two or more people interview you at the same time. Panel members can include potential supervisors, managers, team members, HR specialists, and other decision-makers within an organization.
The main differences in a panel interview:
Research: Spend time looking up information on the organization and the position. Review the website, social media (especially LinkedIn). Talk with people in your network to familiarize yourself with the organization; alumni can be found on LinkedIn and Winthrop Connect. Browse the Internet for recent news stories or other information of note. Explore glassdoor.com or payscale.com for more information on organizations and typical interview questions. Things to consider in your research:
Practice: Interviewing is a skill you can build! Preparation is key. Practice answering general interview questions. You can do this by looking up general interview questions in your industry of interest, use the Big Interview online resource to practice virtually, or make a mock interview appointment with a career coach through Handshake. The point of practicing is not to know every question that is going to be asked in the interview, but to become more comfortable answering different types of questions. Sample Interview Questions (PDF - 196 KB)
Draft Questions: The end of the interview is your opportunity to ask the interviewer questions about the position and the organization. The research you conduct ahead of time can inform some of the questions you could ask. Not asking questions at the end of your interview could come across as being disinterested in the position, so be sure to draft up to 3-5 questions ahead of time.
Confirm Details: Make sure to confirm the time, location, and platform the interview will be held. If the interview is virtual, be sure to test the technology ahead of time to minimize the chances of any technical difficulties. There may be multiple rounds of interviews with different teams. Make sure to clarify the format and ask whom you will be interviewing with ahead of time.
Arrive Ahead of Time: It is recommended to show up 10 minutes early for an in-person interview and 2-5 minutes early for a virtual interview.
Bring your Materials: Have a few copies of your resume, your portfolio, and a notepad to take notes.
Eliminate Distractions: Turn off or silence electronic devices such as cell phones and smartwatches to prevent
them from going off during the interview.
Be Positive and Confident: Remember, you would not be offered an interview if the employer did not believe you were qualified for the position. Listen to the questions, focus on positive aspects of your experiences, and relate them to the position as much as you can. A great way to do this is by using the STAR method to answer questions. STAR Method handout (PDF - 163KB)
Interview follow-up is important for several reasons. It helps you reinforce your professionalism and communication skills; it keeps your name front of mind with the interviewer; and it demonstrates your interest and enthusiasm to be hired. Common things to do after an interview include:
There are many common, fundamental questions that get asked in almost all interviews. They are designed to get to know you and your background better. These are the easiest questions to prepare for because you can expect them, and they are based on YOU. Some examples:
Behavioral interview questions are common and are considered the most effective by most recruiting professionals. A behavioral interview question is when you are asked to describe past behavior(s) for the interviewer to predict or determine your potential for future success. Examples include:
When answering behavioral questions, use the STAR method (PDF - 163KB) to structure your response.
A job interview should ideally be a two-way conversation. Interviewers expect you to ask questions, too—and asking thoughtful questions can polish your image as a job seeker. Asking questions is one way to show that you are interested in the job. It shows you've researched the organization. Your questions also will help you see how the job and the organization fit into your career goals.
When preparing questions before the interview, your first stop should be the organization's website—you don't want to ask questions that are already covered online. Be certain to review the job posting or job description to identify other questions. Finally, pay close attention to details that come to light during the interview—you may want to ask follow-up questions about information you learned throughout the process. Here are some examples of questions you can ask:
After you've asked your questions, restate your interest in joining the organization. Finally, always ask questions to confirm what’s next:
A mock interview is a practice job interview with a career coach. Mock interviews allow the interviewee to practice effective responses, work on nonverbal communication skills, and become familiar with interview settings. A mock interview can recreate any interview environment, such as in-person, phone, or group interviews.
Interested in a mock interview?
