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Interviewing Resources

seated person at desk with laptop during a video meeting

Interview preparation is key to success in getting a job. This process also helps you find and express your hidden skills and achievements, apart from increasing your confidence when you meet the hiring manager.  

Online and In-person Interview Basics

Dress Appropriately

  • Choose attire that aligns with the industry and the company culture. If you’re unsure about the dress code, it’s better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. A safe choice is business attire, such as a suit or business casual outfit. 

Bring Essential Materials

  • Carry a notebook and pen to jot down important details and questions. For in-person interviews, bring several copies of your resume. For virtual interviews, have a digital copy readily accessible to share if needed. 

Prepare Thoughtful Questions

  • Craft questions that reveal your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about the team structure, company culture, and growth opportunities. This demonstrates your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

Stay Hydrated

  • Bring a bottle of water to keep yourself hydrated and to use as a natural pause during the conversation. This can help you stay calm and composed. 

Mind Your Body Language

  • Offer a firm handshake, maintain good eye contact to convey confidence, and sit up straight while avoiding fidgeting to project engagement and professionalism. If you are in a virtual setting, show that you are engaged by nodding and giving verbal acknowledgements. 
     

STAR Method Sample Questions

When preparing and taking your interview, think of the STAR approach to answer each question. This means, explaining the situation, describing your task, the action you took, and the result you achieved. Use our sample interview questions handout, and try answering these questions using the STAR Method in the fillable boxes below! 

Situation & Task 

  • What was the context of the situation or challenge you faced? What was the task you were responsible for in that situtation? Include the who, what, where, when, and how.  

Action 

  • How did you handle the situation or overcome the challenge? What specific steps did you take and what was your particular contribution? Focus on your own actions. 

Result 

  • What were the results of your actions and how did they impact the company? Why was this important? What did you learn from the entire process? 

Interviews contain situational and behavioral questions that you can answer using the STAR Method. This will help you show your strengths and achievements to the hiring manager. Using our STAR Method guide, practice answering these questions. 

Tell me about a time when you had to adjust to a classmate’s or colleague’s working style in order to complete a project or achieve your objectives.  

Tell me about a situation where you had to solve a difficult problem. What did you do? What was your thought process? What was the outcome? What do you wish you had done differently? 

  • What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an example.  

  • Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa). How did you handle the situation? What obstacles or difficulties did you face? How did you deal with them 

  • Tell me about a time when you had to use your presentation skills to influence someone's opinion.  

  • Tell me about a problem that you’ve solved in a unique or unusual way. What was the outcome? 

  • Were you happy or satisfied with it?  

  • Tell me about a difficult decision you've made in the last year.  

  • Describe a situation where you have had to overcome a problem or obstacle in order to move forward with something. What did you do?  

  • Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without all the information you needed. How did you handle it? Why? Were you happy with the outcome? 

  • Give me a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did not agree.  

  • Describe a time when you put your needs aside to help a co-worker understand a task. How did you assist them? What was the result?  

  • Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.  

  • What do you consider to be your greatest achievement so far and why?  

  • Tell me about a goal that you set that you did not reach. What steps did you take? What obstacles did you encounter? How did it make you feel?  

  • Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures. 

  • What tricks or techniques have you learned to make school or a job easier, or to make yourself more effective? How did you learn that?  

  • Describe a situation where you have had to use your initiative to solve a problem. What did you do?  

  • What was the best idea you came up with during your professional or college career? How did you apply it?  

  • Give me an example of a time when something you tried to accomplish and failed. 

  • Give me an example of when you showed initiative and took the lead.  

  • Tell me about a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem.  

  • Tell me about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision. 

  • Tell me about a time you had to fire a friend.  

  • Describe a time when you set your sights too high (or too low).  

  • Tell of the most difficult customer service experience that you have ever had to handle-perhaps an angry or irate customer. Be specific and tell what you did and what was the outcome. 

  • Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done. 

  • Give a specific example of a policy you conformed to with which you did not agree. Why? 

  • Give me an example of a time when you used your fact-finding skills to solve a problem.  

  • Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.  

  • Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way. 

  • Give an example of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with. How/why was this person difficult? How did you handle it? How did the relationship progress? 

  • Give me an example of a time when you motivated others.  

  • Tell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively.  

  • What has been your experience in giving presentations to small or large groups? What has been your most successful experience in speech making?  

  • Tell me about a team project when you had to take the lead or take charge of the project? What did you do? How did you do it? What was the result?  

  • How do you determine priorities in scheduling your time? Give examples.  

  • Describe a time in school when you had many projects or assignments due at the same time. What steps did you take to get them all done?  

  • Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks.  

  • How do you prioritize projects and tasks when scheduling your time? Give me some examples. 

  • Tell me about a time you were able to successfully deal with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).  

  • Tell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or coworker.  

  • Describe a situation where you have had to work as part of a team to achieve a result. What was your role in this?  

  • Describe a situation where others you were working with on a project disagreed with your ideas. What did you do?