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Interviews begin before you walk in

Interviewing 101

Follow these steps to stand out from the start

  • Read the job description.
  • Prepare examples that demonstrate your preparation for the role.
  • Practice your answers and take notes.
  • Bring three to five questions for the employer.
  • Dress your best.
  • Arrive 10-15 minutes early.

Do your research

  • Research the organization and broader industry.
  • Explain how you can further the employer’s goals based on your experience.
  • Use current events to tailor your answers.
  • Prompt AI with the job description to generate sample questions that you could anticipate.

Know your worth

  • Congratulate yourself on receiving an interview.
  • Understand how your unique skills prepare you for the role.
  • Lean into your strengths.
  • Identify a competitive salary range by looking at average starting salaries and cost of living data.
  • View starting salaries.
Salary calculator

Make your moment count

Use the STAR Method 

  • Situation: Give the interviewer context for the situation or experience you are describing.
  • Task: Explain the task you were given or challenge you were faced with solving.
  • Action: How did you respond? 
  • Result: How did your actions benefits others or support your growth? 

Do 

  • Use the STAR technique to frame your answers.
  • Smile, make eye contact, maintain good posture, show attention.
  • Arrive with curiosity about the employer.
  • Showcase your unique qualifications for the role. 

Don’t 

  • Distract the interviewer with fidgeting.
  • Overuse filler words like “um", "like" and "you know”.
  • Ask about salary or benefits unless first mentioned by the employer.
  • Exaggerate your experience or lie.

After the handshake

Follow up 

  • Reach out to the interviewer within 24 hours of your interview with a thank you note or email.
  • Incorporate what you learned from the interviewer into your note.
  • Physical thank you notes or emails are both acceptable. 
  • OSU Career Services offers free thank you cards at 360 Student Union.  

Understand the offer 

  • Compare the offer with the competitive salary range you identified. 
  • Ask questions to clarify the offer before accepting. 
  • Understand the full benefits package, including insurance, paid time off and other fringe benefits.
  • Respect timelines and be transparent if you are considering multiple offers. 

Learn & grow 

  • Reflect on your interview. What worked well? What didn’t?
  • If the interview did not result in an offer, consider asking the interviewer for feedback. 
  • Review the interview with a mentor or career coach. 
  • Record your notes so you can easily access them for future opportunities. 

Mastering every interview format

Key tips for success

In-person interviews

  • Dress professionally.
  • Bring materials requested by the interviewer.
  • Print copies of your resume/CV, references and cover letter on resume paper.
  • Use a padfolio to organize your materials.
  • Arrive 10-15 minutes early.
  • Turn off or silence your cell phone.
  • Double check your appearance and use the restroom.
  • Accept water when offered.

Virtual interviews

  • Keep your notes handy, but don’t read them like a script.
  • Prepare questions for the interviewer and take notes about the people and company.
  • Practice your interview skills with the platform used by the interviewer (ex: Zoom or Teams).
  • Find a quiet place with a solid or professional background and good lighting to meet.
  • Look into the camera to simulate eye contact, trying not to look at yourself.

Phone interviews

  • Minimize background noise like animals, alarms and wind.
  • Communicate with your housemates or colleagues so you are not interrupted.
  • Slow down and enunciate.
  • Smile while you speak, the interviewer can hear it in your voice.
  • Use an assertive tone to show confidence.
  • Identify next steps.
  • Obtain contact information to continue the dialogue.

Common interview questions

  • Introductory questions

    Common questions 

    • “Tell me about yourself.”
    • “Which personal accomplishment are you most proud of.”
    • “What is an area where you are working to improve?” 

     

    Answering tips 

    • Prepare a one and a half to two-minute elevator pitch that explains your key experiences, qualifications and experiences.
    • Proactively address how you are a good fit for the role as explained in the job description, tying in research on the organization where possible.
    • Focus on your professional life, limiting personal details about your family, childhood or hobbies unless they are relevant to the conversation. 
  • Tell me about a time...

    Common questions 

    • “You took initiative and went above and beyond the call of duty.”
    • “You had to deal with ambiguity in your previous experiences.“ 
    • “You have adapted to a change or unexpected situation."
    • “You failed or failed to meet expectations.”  

     

    Answering tips  

    • Practice the STAR Method when outlining your answer. Describe:
      • The situation you were in
      • The task you were assigned 
      • Your action 
      • The result on yourself or others 
    • Wrap up by explaining how you will use that experience in the position if hired.
    • Even when the question is not framed in this way, imagine that the interviewer is seeking a specific example from your experience and provide a story that illustrates your qualifications. 
    • Bring answers from different areas of your life, such as leadership roles, academic projects, life experiences and work. 
    • Show the employer your best self. Choose examples that show integrity, perseverance and represent your unique abilities. 
  • Interest in the position & company

    Common questions 

    • “Which personal traits make you stand out for this role?
    • “What are your short and long-term career goals?”
    • “How would you grow or evolve our company?” 

     

    Answering tips 

    • Research the organization thoroughly by browsing their website and social media.
    • Discuss what makes the organization unique from others in the industry, focusing on what motivated you to apply. 
    • Explain how your interests and qualifications prepare you for the position. 
  • Ability to work on a team

    Common questions 

    • “What have you done to build a strong team that you have worked with?”
    • “Tell me about a time that you had a conflict with a peer or a supervisor and how you handled that difficult working relationship.”
    • “How do you approach working with people from different backgrounds or perspectives? 

     

    Answering tips  

    • Illustrate that you have considered both the requirements of the position as well as your nature.
    • Frame relational challenges in a positive light, showing how you navigate difficult conversations professionally while exercising flexibility and patience. 
    • Use examples to demonstrate how you gracefully maneuver challenging situations. 
  • Leadership & independent drive

    Common questions 

    • “Give me an example of a time when you demonstrated leadership.”
    • “When have you had competing demands on your time and how did you handle them?”
    • “Describe a work environment where you feel the most productive.” 

     

    Answering tips 

    • Highlight your self-motivation and discipline. 
    • Provide examples that showcase initiative while showing your willingness to take direction from leadership. 
    • Include examples from the company where possible, for example, “In my initial interview, I learned that your office offers a hybrid schedule for employees. By taking a finance class online last semester, I learned that working from home allows me focus time to complete larger projects. I also enjoy the rapport built through office environments.”  
  • Academic experience

    Common questions 

    • “Which course did you find most difficult and why?” 
    • “What coursework qualifies you for this position?” 
    • “Of all your college experiences, which will you remember the most and why?”  

     

    Answering tips 

    • Focus on how you learned and grew because of adversities. Try to use an example that will not impact your ability to perform the job requirements.
    • Prepare examples of classes that will help you transition into the role and how you will use what you learned in the workplace. 
    • Describe what you learned from the class or experience and how it meets the employer’s needs.  
  • Career goals

    Common questions 

    • “Where do you see yourself in five years?” 
    • “Who or what in your life has most influenced your career objectives?” 
    • “What traits are you seeking to strengthen or improve?”  

     

    Answering tips 

    • Talk about how your goals align with the company. If hired, discuss how the position would further your professional development. 
    • Share your career ambitions and goals, particularly as they relate to the employer. In three to five years, you might see yourself moving up in title or position. 
    • Discuss any future education plans and describe how they could further the organization’s mission.  
  • Closing questions

    Common questions 

    • “Do you have any questions for me?” 
    • “Is there anything else you would like to share?”
    • “If I only remember one thing about you, what would you like that to be?”  

     

    Answering tips 

    • Always bring three to five questions for the employer. This shows preparedness and allows you the opportunity to learn more about whether the workplace is a good fit. (ex: What qualities would the ideal candidate bring to this position? What challenges might I face in this role?). 
    • Take a moment to consider whether you spoke to all the experiences you planned on mentioning. This is a great place to address any lingering questions. 
    • Reinforce your strengths. If you asked for more time to consider any of the questions from the interviewer, make sure you bring it back before wrapping up.  
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