Cooperative Education & Work-Based Learning

Interview Tips

• Make sure voicemail messages and social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc.) are professional.
   
• Identify your strengths and weaknesses with a self-evaluation. Prepare to state three significant strengths you want the employer to know about you.
   
• Bring several copies of your resume on resume-quality paper. Familiarize yourself with the contents of your resume.
   
• Research the organization and familiarize yourself with the position description before interviewing.
   
• Prepare to describe how your skills, experiences, qualities and accomplishments will compliment the overall mission of the organization.
   
• Practice responses to behavior-based interview questions using the star format (Situation, Task, Action and Results).
   
• Prepare interview questions to ask the employer so you can be an active participant in your interview.
   
• Carry a notebook with you. If you have a portfolio, be sure it is minimal, manageable and contains only your very best examples.
   
• Dress carefully. Clothes should be professional and conservative.
   
• Know the location of the employer and how long it takes to travel to your destination.
   
• Be respectful and professional to everyone you meet in the organization. Anyone you come in to contact with may influence hiring decisions.
   
• Develop a firm handshake.
   
• Be on time, be friendly, be positive, be a good listener, be enthusiastic, be confident, be polite, be professional and most importantly be yourself.
   
• Follow-up your interview by mailing or e-mailing a thank-you letter the day of the interview or the following day.
   
• Keep careful records of interview details.
   
• Be aware that some employers do background checks including: credit, criminal and driving records. Some employers also require drug screens and/or physical examinations.