Interviews

Your best tool: Preparation

We recognize your time is limited, so let the Career Development Office help you prepare for your interviews whether they are in person, on the phone, or virtual. Also, listen to the advice from attorneys below and look at the online Interview Tips and Sample Questions.

Things you can do to prepare:

• Research. Look at the employer website, check out their LinkedIn Profile, talk to connections, faculty, CDO, or other students who have worked there. In addition to learning about the employer, learn as much as you can about the position itself so you can market your skillset to the needs of the employer. You can also look into these preparation and research tips and videos from one of our vendors.
• Practice. Seriously. Until you get the hang of interviewing, it can be a great help to practice.  How?
• Mock interview with CDO or another professional in the field
• Record yourself
• Demonstrate.  View the interview as an opportunity to advocate for yourself and how you fit with the employer’s mission and overall organization. Share specific examples rather than simply generalities or conclusions. Use our development assessment tool to help you prepare.  Fianlly, use your research about the employer to convince them that you understand their mission and can make a substantive contribution. 
• Awareness. Know and be prepared to address your weaknesses. Contact CDO so we can help you with certain questions that stump you, nerves and how to handle them, and preparing to discuss any particular topics you may feel could stand in your way
• Enthusiasm. Employers want to know that you are interested in them and the position they have available. 

Interview Advice 

Watch these short videos on particular interviewing situations:

• Ace the Interview
• Government and Public Service Interviewing
• Virtual Interviews and Remote Work

We also asked employers to share their advice on interviews.  Watch these short videos with excellent tips online at Advice from the Experts, including these highlights.