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Info for Job Interviews

The purpose of an interview is ultimately to exchange information. While the employer is evaluating you and your ability to do the job, you are evaluating the organization to see whether or not it matches your interests and values.

INTERVIEW PREPARATION

Know the company, the position and yourself.

One of the worst things you can do in an interview is to seem like you do not know the organization or the position for which you are applying. Give yourself ample time to research these things and commit your findings to memory. Be sure to think about how your qualifications match the company and the position.

Not only will this research help prove your interest in the organization during the interview, but it will also help you formulate good, intelligent questions to ask your interviewer.

Consider the following questions regarding the organization:

  • What are the organization's mission, vision and values?
  • What products and/or services does the organization provide? 
  • How large is its staff? 
  • Who are some of its top clients and competitors? 
  • Where are its main offices located? 
  • What direction has the organization taken over the past couple of years?
  • Consider the following questions regarding the specific position for which you are applying:
  • How does this position contribute to the organization's mission?
  • What job responsibilities does this position entail?
  • How do my qualifications prepare me for this position?
  • What salary ranges are typical at this position, industry and location?

BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEWS

Behavioral-based interviews focus on your past experiences to demonstrate whether or not you possess the skills and behaviors that the employer is seeking. It's easier to answer behavioral-based questions if you have analyzed the job description and know what skills are required; then, you can identify situations where you have demonstrated those skills and behaviors.

To help you answer these types of questions, use the following:

STAR Method

  • Situation: Where were you? What happened?
  • Task: What needed to be done? Why?
  • Action: What did you do? How did you do it?
  • Results: What was the outcome of your actions?

Typical behavioral interview question: "Tell me about a time when you had to deal with conflict in a team."

Possible response using the STAR method: "[S:]Last semester, I was in a Public Relations Campaign course where we had to design a marketing campaign for a local nonprofit's dog show. [T:]It was difficult to get the team members to agree on the best way to promote as everyone had different ideas. [A:]I organized a group brainstorming session to focus on common themes in the ideas. [R:]We focused on three ideas ranging from press releases in local newspapers to social media awareness and increased participation by 15%."

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE INTERVIEWER

Near the end of the interview, the employer will likely ask you if you have any questions. You must ask questions showing that you have done your research and are interested in the company. Having no questions for the employer (or asking obvious questions such as "What does your company do?") shows a lack of interest and initiative. It is a good idea to prepare a list of potential questions beforehand, keeping in mind that some of them may be answered in the natural flow of the conversation.

Some example questions for your interviewer:

  • What do you do in a typical work day? Week?
  • Why did you choose to work for this company?
  • How would you describe your company culture?
  • What do you like most (least) about working here?

SUIT BANK

Career Services offers free professional clothing for MSU students and alumni. Stop by, try the clothes you like, then take them with you. Anything you take is yours to keep!

INTERVIEWLINK

With a webcam and InterviewLink, you can practice, record, and view your answers to common interview questions and invite peers, professors, or career counselors to review and assess your performance. If you do not have access to a webcam, computers are available at the Career Center with the necessary hardware and software installed. Access InterviewLink through Eagle CareerNet.

General InterviewLink instructions

Doing a mock interview for a class? To find your correct mock interview, you must know the name of the Question Set for your course. If you do not know, contact your faculty member or email Career Services at careerservices@moreheadstate.edu. You will need to enter your professor's email address at the end of the interview to request feedback.

View the Interviewing section in our Career Guide

Contact Us

Contact the Center for Career Development & Experiential Education

Ground floor, Camden-Carroll Library
150 University Blvd.
Morehead, KY 40351

EMAIL: careerservices@moreheadstate.edu
PHONE: 606-783-2233