Preparing for an Interview

Preparation is the most important part of your job or internship interview. You can maximize your interview success with advance planning, personal self assessment, and interview practice. Review and complete the following 10 planning activities before your job or internship interview.

1. Knowledge of yourself: know yourself in terms of skills, interests, values, future aspirations
2. Career direction: well-defined goals, confidence in pursuing a chosen field of interest, realistic plans for advancement
3. Communication skills: ability to deliver ideas, clear and concise answers, verbal animation
4. Qualifications: be aware of specific academic training, leadership experience, critical thinking skills, extracurricular involvement
5. Maturity: demonstrated by poise, optimism, appearance, tone of voice
6. Professionalism: communicate a strong work ethic, high moral values, integrity
7. Execute a game plan: prepare to “sell yourself” in terms of relating your interests, skills, and goals
8. Conduct a mock interview with a recruiter, career counselor, former employer, or even a friend – this is the key to success!
9. Do not memorize answers, but know how to communicate the contents of your resume and your top reasons for pursuing the opportunity
10. Write down 25 words that describe you prior to the interview – be familiar with these self-descriptors and feel comfortable delivering them in the interview: “I am: motivated, confident, dedicated, loyal, a problem solver, a team player, ethical, etc.”