Prepare for Interviews
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.
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?
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.
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.
Practice makes hired
Our professional career coaches are trained to help students and alumni from all majors and backgrounds develop and refine their interview skills.
Schedule a mock interview