SEVEN QUICK INTERVIEW TIPS
With application season underway, you’ll soon start preparing for interviews. Doing so requires work, but it doesn’t need to be daunting. With some concentrated effort, you can prepare yourself in just a few days. Below are seven quick tips to help you out.
1. Research the Organization
Visit the company website, check their Wikipedia page, and see what current and past employees say on Glassdoor. Pay specific attention to their mission, vision, and values. Prior research will give you a better sense of the type of people the company likes to hire, help you tailor your answers, and demonstrate your strong work ethic.
2. Research Common Questions
A simple Google search will yield a number of questions you might be asked during interviews for certain types of jobs. Glassdoor also provides specific questions asked of people who interviewed at the company previously — it will note the position the person was applying for, as well. And if you personally know someone who pursued an opportunity at the same organization, ask about their experience.
3. Practice
Once you’ve found some questions you think are likely to come up, formulate possible answers. For a standard behavioral interview, we recommend answering questions with the STAR method. Practice giving your answers to friends, family members, and/or assistance from the Mary Gates Career Center.
4. Develop Questions of Your Own
Coming prepared with questions offers a variety of benefits. Posing questions that reference your prior research (“I was interested in this aspect of the mission statement—could you expand on it a bit?”) will again reflect your work ethic. Additionally, questions that touch on issues that could impact your decision to take the job (vacation, organizational structure, etc.) will demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
5. Bring a Copy of Your Resume
Set it in front of you during the interview to help keep track of what experiences, accomplishments, and projects you’d like to bring up. It’s also not a bad idea to print an extra copy in case an interviewer asks for one.
6. Bring a Pen and Notebook
Writing down keywords from the questions you’re asked will not only help you quickly formulate responses, it will show the interviewer you’re engaging thoughtfully.
7. Give Yourself Time
While preparing for an interviewer doesn’t need to be a challenge, it can be if you procrastinate. Aim to start a few days in advance to ensure you arrive with confidence.
Upcoming Events
UW Career Workshops and Employer Events
- Nov 5: Finding Internships Workshop; 12:30 – 1:00pm, online
- Nov 6: LinkedIn Lab; 12:30 – 1:00pm, online
- Nov 13: Build Your Brand with LinkedIn + FREE LinkedIn Headshots at the U Village Microsoft Store; 4:00 – 5:30pm, University Village Microsoft Store
- Additional UW Career Workshops and Employer Events
Other Events
- Nov 6: Boeing Career Development Night; 6 – 8pm, Alder Hall
This is an informational expo for students in Engineering looking to network and enhance their professional development skills. Students will be interacting with Boeing industry panelists in varied engineering and managerial fields. Boeing has careers in Cybersecurity and in Data Science & Analytics.
- Nov 6: TechBuzz: Conversation and Dinner with GovTech Singapore; 6—9pm, HUB
- Nov 8-17: UW DeepLens Hackathon
Positions for Consideration
- UX Designer, GoDaddy; Handshake
- IT Support Engineer, AlphaSights; Handshake
- Technical Rotation Program, Kaiser Permanente; iCareers ID 9875
- Digital Scholarship Librarian, Washington State University Libraries; iCareers ID 9870
- Business Intelligence Analyst/Developer, PACCAR Inc; iCareers ID 9854
Questions or feedback? Contact us at icareers@uw.edu | iCareers
