Tips for Interviews
Prepare for interviews.
- This is as simple as researching the company you are applying to and looking up common interview questions. Write notes for yourself and come up with responses to some of these questions. Think of any questions you may have about the position that you'd like to ask in the interview.
Develop examples of your skills.
- Identify stories and experiences from your past jobs that exemplify your skills. Use the STAR Method to layout how you tell these stories.
Follow up after the interview.
- Send a thank-you email to the hiring manager/interviewer afterwards. If you do not hear back after a week, consider sending an email to check in. If you don't get the position, consider asking about your interview and what you could do to improve.
Don't stop applying to positions.
- While you are waiting for a response, continue with your job search routine. You can always them down if you end up receiving the position you want.
Other Resources
The Balance Careers - Job Interview Questions, Answers, and Tips to Prepare
- This list of possible questions, answers and tips are perfect for preparing for the next-day interview.
Video - Job Interviews
The STAR Method
The STAR Method is a common interview method for answering questions. It is the best way for employers to get to know you and your accomplishments, as well as how you deal with everyday tasks in the workplace. When given an interview question, approach answering in this way:
S = Situation: Explain a relevant experience you had at a previous workplace, setting the scene and providing context.
T = Task: Explain what you were responsible for/asked to do in the situation.
A = Action: Explain the steps you took to accomplish the task.
R = Result: Explain the outcomes of your actions, as well as what you took away from the experience.
(Graphic by KForce)
Learn more about the STAR Method in this article from The Muse - The STAR Method: The Secret to Acing Your Next Job Interview
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