Interview Strategies

“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” (Arthur Ashe)Interviews are often intimidating for job seekers who feel the pressure of being evaluated and feel uncomfortable with the interview format. While the nervousness may never disappear, effectively preparing for the interview can make you feel more confident. With practice, you must stay in the moment and treat the interview like a conversation.

This chapter focuses on general interview preparation. Remember, however, that different disciplines and industries employ distinct interviewing techniques. For instance, the technical interview, also known as “code day,” has become a standard practice for many computer science-related fields. You should always research standard industry practices, but remember that interviews can be surprising. Some employers try to surprise interviewees to understand how they think and react in unfamiliar situations. Part of your challenge is to remain open-minded and relaxed, projecting confidence even in unexpected or unfamiliar situations.

Preparing for the Interview

Good preparation before an interview is based on understanding who your audience is—understanding the employer and the industry. This is not the type of information you can memorize the night before. Take as much time as you can to read and absorb information from a variety of sources to get a thorough sense of the company—not just the basic information you find on the “About” page of their website, but the tone and personality they broadcast in social media, their past and current projects, their achievements, their community involvement, etc.

Job Interview Types and Techniques

Every interview you participate in will be unique: the people you meet, the interview setting, and the questions you’ll be asked will all differ from one interview to the next. The various factors that characterize any interview can contribute to your sense of adventure and excitement. Nevertheless, feeling a little nervous about what lies ahead is also normal. With so many unknowns, how can you plan to “nail the interview” no matter what comes up? A good strategy for planning is to anticipate the type of interview you may encounter. Standard formats for job interviews are described in detail below. By knowing more about each type and being aware of techniques that work for each, you can plan to be on your game no matter what form your interview takes.

Screening Interviews

Screening interviews might best be characterized as “weeding-out” interviews. They ordinarily occur over the phone or in another low-stakes environment where the interviewer has maximum control over the interview time. Screening interviews are generally short because they glean only basic information about you. If you are scheduled to participate in a screening interview, you might safely assume that you have some competition for the job and that the company is using this strategy to whittle down the applicant pool. With this kind of interview, you aim to win a face-to-face interview. For this first shot, prepare well and challenge yourself to shine. This type of interview should be treated like a real interview. This may mean dressing for the interview and having your resume in front of you, so that it can be referred to. Another suggestion is to ensure your cell phone is fully charged and the screening interview takes place in a location free of distractions. Try to stand out from the competition and follow up with a thank-you note.

Phone or Web Conference Interviews

If you are geographically separated from your prospective employer, you may be invited to participate in a phone interview or a web conference interview instead of meeting face-to-face. Technology, of course, is a good way to bridge distances. The fact that you’re not there in person doesn’t make it any less essential to be fully prepared, though. You may wish to be all the more “on your toes” to compensate for the distance barrier. Ensure your phone or computer is fully charged and that your internet connection works (if possible, use an Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi). Ensure a quiet and distraction-free environment at home for the interview.  If the interview is conducted via web conference, ensure your background is neat (ideally, a plain wall is preferred, but this isn’t always possible). Avoid using a simulated background, as it often appears fake, and the employer may perceive that you are trying to conceal something.

One-on-One Interviews

Many job interviews are conducted with just you and a single interviewer, likely with the manager you would report to and work with. The one-on-one format allows you to see how well you connect and how well your talents, skills, and personalities mesh. You can expect to be asked questions like, “Why would you be good for this job?” and “Tell me about yourself.” Many interviewees prefer the one-on-one format because it allows them to spend in-depth time with the interviewer. Rapport can be built. As always, be very courteous and professional. Please have a portfolio of your best work handy, and be sure to get their contact info so you can send a follow-up email.

Panel Interviews

An efficient format for meeting a candidate is a panel interview, in which perhaps two to five coworkers meet simultaneously with a single interviewee. The coworkers comprise the “search committee” or “search panel,” which may include different company representatives, such as human resources, management, and staff. One advantage of this format for the committee is that meeting together provides them with a shared experience to reflect on afterward. In a panel interview, listen carefully to questions from each panelist and try to connect fully with each questioner. Be sure to write down names and titles so individual thank-you notes can be sent after the interview.

Serial Interviews

Serial interviews combine one-on-one meetings with a group of interviewers, typically conducted as a series of staggered daily meetings. This type of interview is generally used for higher-level jobs when meeting with several key stakeholders in person is essential. If your interview process is designed in this way, you must be extremely well-prepared, as you will be answering many in-depth questions.

Lunch Interviews

In some higher-level positions, candidates are taken to lunch or dinner, especially if this is a second interview (a “callback”). If this is you, count yourself lucky and be on your best behavior because even if the lunch meeting is unstructured and informal, it’s still an official interview. If all persons interviewing you are ordering an alcoholic drink, feel free to request one as well (know your tolerance!), along with a glass of water. Drink more slowly than the interviewer to show restraint and patience. You are not expected to pay or even to offer to pay, but, as always, you must send a thank-you note. Lastly, use your best table manners!

These are just some of the types of interviews you may encounter. The video below provides additional information if you are interested.

Link to Original Video: tinyurl.com/10interviewtypes

During the Interview

Once you have mentally prepared and gathered the necessary information for your interview, it’s time to prepare for the interaction during the interview.

Dress the Part

Let’s keep this simple—dress your best. In most business cultures, dressing professionally signifies respect, conveying that you value the position and want to make a positive impression.

Here are the basics:

1. Wear your best professional attire—typically a suit (with a tie) and dress shoes (no open-toe shoes, please, and no white socks).
2. Try on the complete outfit (including shoes) to make sure you’re comfortable. Does it fit? Does it stay in place? Can you sit down, shake hands, and move comfortably? You don’t want your clothing to distract you or the interviewer.
3. Clean and press your clothes and shoes. Prepare your outfit the night before and hang it up (no wrinkles!).

Even if you know the work environment is casual, you should dress “up” for the interview—more professionally than you would if you worked there. The exception would be if you are explicitly told not to—for instance, if the recruiter specifies that you should dress “business casual.”

Don’t Come Empty-Handed

Arriving at the interview with essential documents and notes shows you are prepared and thinking ahead. Organize all your materials in a nice folder or folio—presentation matters! Print out several clean copies of your résumé and any other documents you might want to reference, like the job or internship description or your references. If possible, you should also bring a few samples of your work—documents you’ve prepared or artifacts from projects. Make the most of that research and preparation by bringing notes. A lovely notebook or paper and a pen are perfectly acceptable for you to have in the interview, and they can help you feel more focused by getting some of the information out of your head and organized on paper.

Follow these guidelines:

1. Be organized. Rewrite or type and print your notes to find the needed information easily. You don’t want to be shuffling through scraps of paper.
2. Please keep it simple. Write down keywords, brief phrases, and ideas that will jog your memory, not a complete script.
3. Prepare questions for the interviewer (see examples below). You can typically ask these questions at the end of the interview, when it can be challenging to recall what you would ask.

Interview Questions

For most job candidates, the burning question is, “What will I be asked?” There’s no way to anticipate every question that may arise during an interview. No matter how well-prepared you are, you may get a question you didn’t expect. Not to worry! Prepare as much as possible—doing so will build your confidence in your answers and help you prepare for unexpected questions. Think of the interview as a kind of impromptu speech. To help you reach that point of certainty and confidence, review typical interview questions, consider your answers, and take notes if that helps. Conduct a practice interview with a friend, a family member, or a colleague. Speak your answers out loud. Below is a list of resources that contain common interview questions and provide good explanations and answers you might want to adopt.

Link to Original Video: tinyurl.com/answeringintqs

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

At the end of nearly every interview, applicants are often asked if they have any questions they would like to pose to the employer. Do you have a question ready to ask? In addition to revealing your knowledge of the company, these questions are also an opportunity to determine if the employer and the company culture are a good fit for you. Think carefully about what matters to you and what would allow you to do your best work, and try to ask questions that will give you insight into those factors.

• What are the primary tasks or responsibilities of a person in this position? What does a day in this job look like? Is travel required? Overtime?
• What is the orientation or training process?
• What are the goals/priorities for a person in this position? How will success be measured?
• What is the company’s assessment and review process?
• Does the company support professional development activities?
• How does this position fit within the team/department? What is the reporting structure?
• Does this position function alone or within a team setting?
• How would you describe the company culture or team dynamic?
• What is this company’s approach to management?
• What are the company’s overall goals and priorities, and how do they affect someone in this department/position?

NOTE: The end of the interview is not typically the best time to ask about salary and benefits. This is your opportunity to learn about the workplace, position, environment, structure, and employee support programs.

Body Language & Interaction

Generally, it’s essential to be observant and take your cues from the interviewer. Reflect on their tone and pay attention to the dynamic they set—are they very formal and professional or more conversational? Small talk is acceptable, but it’s best to follow the interviewer’s lead. Be conscious of your posture. You should sit up straight (no leaning or lounging) and avoid crossing your arms in front of your chest (it can seem defensive or withdrawn). Maintain eye contact. Look at the interviewer while they ask you questions and provide non-verbal cues—such as smiling and nodding—when appropriate. Make it clear that you are listening and understand what they’re saying.

Speak clearly and thoughtfully. Adjust your volume to suit the environment and ensure the interviewer can hear and understand you clearly. Don’t rush yourself; take the time to deliver thoughtful responses. Ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question—project calm. Fidgeting and extra movement can make you seem nervous even if you aren’t. Be aware of your tendencies and try to minimize them. If you know you fidget, keep your hands folded and avoid clicking or tapping the pen. Don’t wear jewelry that you will play with or that will make noise while you move. Wear your hair in a way that will not constantly tempt you to touch or play with it. If seated at a table, sit towards the front of the chair and plant your feet on the floor—it can help keep you steady. Be yourself. In addition to the previous tips, you must feel comfortable and like yourself. If you are enthusiastic, talk with your hands, or are shy, that’s fine—you need to be the most engaged, professional version of yourself to show the interviewer what you are capable of in the workplace.

After the Interview

At the end of the interview, you should ask the interviewer what you can expect regarding the next steps or when they might decide about the position. This will help set your expectations and allow you to prepare for future interactions—they may involve multiple rounds of interviews or additional meetings with candidates, for instance. Within 24 hours of the interview, you should send a thank-you note to the interviewer(s). Email is a standard and expected means of communication for this message, and you will likely have already been in contact with them via email or will have their business card from the interview. The formula for this message is simple, but choose your words carefully and try to extend their good impression of your written communication here as well:

• Relevant subject line
• Gratitude for their time and the opportunity
• Your continued interest in the position
• Something specific from your conversation (this is where taking notes comes in handy!)
• The remainder of your qualifications
• Positive and forward-looking conclusion

You will want to reflect the overall tone of your interaction—try to make it consistent with the person they met the day before.