Interview Research

Always do extensive research on an organization before interviewing with them. Revisit our Job and Internship Search page for more research tips.

Sample Interview Questions

It’s important to practice and be prepared for any potential questions you might receive.

• Read this article about the Most Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them.
• Use generative AI to request a list of common interview questions for a particular job, industry, or organization, and then roleplay your responses. Seek feedback on how to improve your answers.
• Download and use our Interview Question Matrix

Mock Interview

Practice is the best way to prepare for an interview. Schedule a mock interview appointment with the Career Hub in Handshake.

Respond with the STAR Method

The most common types of interview questions are behavioral-based questions. Interviewers ask these questions in order to learn about your relevant experience and predict how you will behave in future situations. These questions should be answered using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This method involves telling a brief story which demonstrates your ability to perform relevant job functions according to certain competencies the employer is looking for. These stories should be planned and practiced well in advance in order to be delivered effectively.

Situation (Set the context for your story): Open with a brief description of the Situation and context of the success story (who, what, where, when, how). Remember to leave out acronyms and abbreviations that are not well known to your audience. Tell just enough to get the person interested, but don’t ramble on or get too into the details.

Task (Explain what was required of you): Explain the Task you had to complete highlighting any specific challenges or constraints (i.e. deadlines, costs, other issues). Remember to focus on YOU and not other members of your team. Also be cognizant of the wording and language you use. Simple changes can have a big impact. Instead of saying “I had to create a cost benefit analysis because my boss needed it,” say instead “I was given the opportunity to come up with a creative cost-benefit analysis which our leadership team would then use to....”

Action (What you did): Describe the specific Actions that you took to complete the task. These should highlight desirable traits without needing to state them (initiative, intelligence, dedication, leadership, understanding, etc.)

Result (How the situation played out): Close with the result of your efforts. Include figures to quantify the result if possible. If you are still in the project or aren’t aware of the final outcomes, consider a different example, or state the intended outcomes.

S: Over the summer, I worked as a service advisor for a car dealership. One morning in our department staff meeting, the service manager announced that we had been receiving an unacceptable amount of negative feedback in our reviews for the service we were providing to customers. His solution was to create a committee that would analyze the situation and put forth actionable improvements.

T: I had been looking for an opportunity to show that I was capable of taking on more responsibility and being a person who enjoys working in group situations, I was the first to volunteer. My service manager was quick to make me the leader of the committee, which put me in the position of leader of a group of four other people who were tasked to come up with a solution.

A: For three weeks, we analyzed each of the customer service reports and discovered that the vast majority of negative reviews were a result of lengthy wait times for customers. Knowing that we had to come up with a solution to decrease the amount of time our customers were waiting, I then led a brainstorming session to find a way to fix the problem. We zoned in on changing the way our mechanics worked on each job.

R: After implementing my suggestion, mechanics were able to focus mainly on their specializations, which meant they worked faster and more efficiently, which translated to wait times dropping by 18%.

• Share something you learned during the conversation
• Recall a particular moment that stood out to you (even if not related to the job)
• Elaborating on a question you could not sufficiently answer in the moment
• Reiterate your level of interest, and reasons why
• Ask about or indicate your interest in continuing the conversation at the next available opportunity

Plan to reach out in one week to inquire about the status of your candidacy.

Negotiation

Negotiating a job offer can be a crucial step in securing a favorable employment package that aligns with your career goals and values. While it may feel intimidating, negotiation is a common practice in the hiring process and can lead to a more satisfactory outcome for both you and your prospective employer.

Approach this process with confidence, do your research, and keep your career goals in mind. Remember that negotiation is a two-way process, and both you and the employer should feel satisfied with the outcome. Approach the negotiation with confidence, but also be prepared to compromise to reach a fair and mutually beneficial agreement. Good luck with your negotiation!

• Review salary information, cost-of-living calculators, and more with Salary.com and Glassdoor
• Watch this video about Negotiating Your Worth
• Read this article about How to Negotiate Salary
• For more information read How to Negotiate, Accept, or Decline a Job Offer

Whether you decide to accept or decline an offer, remember to update your references about the status of your job search.