Interviews come in different formats and structures. Understanding what to expect can help students feel more prepared and confident.

Types of Interviews

• Phone Interviews: Often used as an initial screening step. The purpose of a phone interview is for employers to quickly assess qualifications and interest before scheduling longer interviews.
• Video Interviews: Increasingly common, using platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Video interviews are often a substitute for in-person interviews and are commonly used for remote or distant positions.
• In-Person Interviews: Traditional face-to-face meetings with hiring managers. In-person interviews allow employers to assess your personality, body language, and cultural fit.
• Panel Interviews: Multiple interviewers ask questions, often from different departments. Panel interviews are common for roles requiring collaboration across teams. Employers assess how well you engage with different personalities.
• Group Interviews: Several candidates interviewed at the same time, typically for collaborative roles. Employers use group interviews to evaluate teamwork, leadership, and communication skills in a group setting.
• Self-Tape Interviews: Recorded video responses to employer-provided questions. Self-tape interviews are often used for initial screening when employers have many applicants

Common Interview Styles

• Behavioral Interviews: Focus on past experiences and assess if you’re a good cultural fit for the team (common in people-oriented fields like business, education, and nonprofit work). 
• Technical Interviews: Assess job-specific knowledge and problem-solving skills (common in STEM fields and technical roles). 
• Case Study Interviews: Require candidates to analyze a problem and present a solution (common in consulting and business roles). 
• Take-Home Project: Candidates are given an assignment (such as coding a program, designing a presentation, or creating a work sample) to complete independently and submit within a set deadline.
• Conversational Interviews: Interviews that are simply a back and forth conversation with the hiring manager. Not all interviews are structured and have a set of back-to-back prechosen questions.

Note: Most interviews will include a mix of these formats, depending on the role and industry.

Additional Tips

Based on your research findings, you’ll want to:

• Prepare Answers to Common Questions: Use structured responses for behavioral and technical questions. You’ll want to anticipate questions that may be common for the position or field you’re applying to..
• Practice with Mock Interviews: Rehearse answers with a friend, career coach, or by recording responses.

Note: While it’s important to have examples and stories ready, avoid overpreparing your answers. Memorizing responses word-for-word can make you sound robotic and rehearsed. Instead of focusing on hitting every point perfectly, aim to be natural, conversational, and adaptable in your responses.

Standard Questions

Certain interview questions come up in almost every interview, regardless of industry. Examples include:

• Tell me about yourself (Often the first question in an interview. Your answer sets the tone for the conversation)
• What are your strengths?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• Why should we hire you?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?

These standard questions help employers get a better understanding of your background, strengths, and how you fit the role.

Behavior and Reaction Questions

Employers often ask behavioral questions that are designed to assess your skills and behaviors by asking you to describe past experiences, focusing on how you handled specific situations and the outcomes you achieved. Examples include:

• Tell me about your process for completing tasks when you have to meet a tight deadline.
• Describe a situation where you had to adapt to a major change.
• Give an example of a time when you had to resolve a disagreement within a team.
• Tell me about a time you took initiative on a project.
• Can you share an example of when you received constructive criticism and how you responded

Experience and Background Questions

These questions assess your past work, projects, or coursework to gauge your current skills and abilities. Common questions include:

• What type of experience do you have in this line of work?
• What relevant experience do you have for this role?
• Can you describe a project where you applied [specific skill relevant to the job]?
• What is the most challenging task you’ve handled in your previous job or coursework?
• Tell me about a leadership role you’ve taken on in school or work.
• What skills have you developed in your previous experiences that will help you in this.

Situational and Problem Questions

These questions assess how a candidate would handle real or hypothetical workplace scenarios. Common questions include:

• How would you handle a conflict with a coworker?
• What would you do if you had multiple high-priority tasks due at the same time?
• How would you handle a customer or client who is dissatisfied with your service?
• If your team disagreed on a project direction, how would you help resolve the situation?
• What steps would you take if you made an error that impacted your team’s work?
• If you were assigned to a project outside of your expertise, how would you approach it?

Industry and Technical Questions

Industry-specific or technical questions are common in STEM, business, and creative fields. These questions assess your job-related knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and how you approach complex tasks. Employers want to see not only if you have the necessary skills but also how you think through challenges. These questions can look like:

• Can you walk us through your process for analyzing data in Excel?
• Can you explain how you would troubleshoot a coding error in Python? (Software Development)
• How would you calculate the break-even point for a new product launch? (Finance/Business)
• Can you walk us through your approach to designing a marketing campaign? (Marketing)
• What steps do you take to ensure data integrity when analyzing large datasets? (Data Science)
• How do you ensure safety and accuracy when working with lab equipment? (Science/Engineering)

Salary Questions

Salary discussions are a crucial part of the hiring process, but timing is key. Bringing up salary too early in the interview can shift the focus away from your qualifications and onto compensation before the employer has fully evaluated your fit for the role. Instead, let the employer initiate the conversation. If they ask about your salary expectations during the interview, provide a researched range that aligns with industry standards and your experience level. Be confident, but also express flexibility by emphasizing that you’re open to discussing the full compensation package, including benefits and growth opportunities.

If salary isn’t mentioned during the interview, wait until you receive a job offer before discussing compensation. At this stage, the employer has already shown strong interest in hiring you, giving you a better position to negotiate. Before engaging in negotiations, research salaries for similar roles, consider the full benefits package, and be prepared to justify your request with specific skills, experiences, or certifications that add value to the organization.

Read more about how to negotiate an offer.

Background Checks

Background checks are a standard part of the hiring process, especially for roles that involve sensitive information or security clearance. While you may not have control over when they occur, it’s important to be transparent about your background. If you are informed about an upcoming background check, or directly asked about your criminal history, credit score, or other sensitive areas, be honest and provide context if necessary. Employers are more likely to trust candidates who are upfront about any issues. If you anticipate challenges, such as being justice impacted or previous personal struggles, it’s helpful to mention how you’ve learned from past mistakes and grown professionally.

Drug Tests

Drug testing policies vary by company and industry. Some employers may request drug tests before or after extending a job offer, particularly for roles that require operating heavy machinery or work in safety-sensitive areas. It’s important to be aware of the employer’s policy on this. If asked during an interview, it’s okay to inquire about their policy if it’s mentioned. If you know you’ll need to take a test, be prepared to comply and ensure you’re aware of any regulations or company expectations. If you have any concerns, it’s best to address them honestly with the employer at the appropriate time, demonstrating transparency and a commitment to following company policies. A proactive, honest conversation can help you address any issues before they arise.

Time Off

Questions about time off, such as vacation days, sick leave, or a planned absence, should typically come up once a job offer is extended or near the final stages of the interview process. Employers generally focus on your skills and qualifications first. When asking about time off, be mindful not to make it seem like a priority over the job itself. It’s better to wait until an offer is made before discussing specific time-off requests. If time off and flexibility is important to you, be sure to approach the subject politely and professionally, keeping in mind the company’s policies.

Benefits

Benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks, are an important part of the overall compensation package. Similar to salary discussions, it’s better to wait until the employer brings up benefits in the later stages of the interview process or after an offer is extended. When the topic does come up, be prepared to ask specific questions about coverage, eligibility, and the company’s contribution. This will help you assess if the benefits align with your personal needs and priorities. Make sure to ask about any relevant benefits, such as professional development opportunities, remote work policies, or wellness programs, if they align with your goals.

• Take deep breaths and pause: Stay composed and collect your thoughts before responding.
• Remember it’s a two-way conversation: View the interview as a mutual exploration to see if it’s a good fit for both sides.
• Practice and prepare: The more you prepare, the more confident and smooth your responses will be.
• Answer thoroughly: Be sure to answer the question with as much relevant information as possible.
• Balance personal and professional: Let your personality shine while maintaining professionalism.
• Focus on the present moment: Stay focused on answering the current question, not past or future ones.
• Visualize success: Picture yourself succeeding to boost your confidence.
• Remember that nerves are normal: Acknowledge nerves and turn them into positive energy.

Be Mindful of Nonverbal Communication

• Use eye contact: It shows confidence and engagement. If making direct eye contact feels challenging, try looking at the bridge of the interviewer’s nose instead.
• Vary where you look: It’s okay to glance away briefly while thinking about your answer, just avoid looking down for too long.
• Make everyone feel valued: If you’re speaking with multiple interviewers, alternate eye contact and who you’re speaking to to acknowledge everyone and ensure no one feels overlooked.
• Use a friendly but professional tone: Keep energy in your voice to convey enthusiasm.
• Sit up straight and use positive body language: Avoid slouching or crossing arms.
• Limit filler words: Reduce “um,” “like,” and “you know” to sound more confident. Be okay with silence and pauses.