Interviewing

So you’ve gotten a job interview, now what? Interviewing involves many things to think about including how you will project a professional image, what you will say, and ultimately how you will shine. Utilize the resources below to prepare for interviews.

3 Things to Consider Before Interviewing

As you prepare for an interview, there are three questions you should consider: Why you? Why the company? And why the role?

Behavioral Interviewing

Behavioral interviewing is a common interviewing technique that is often used for entry-level job and internship interviews.

Effectively Wrap Up Your Interview

There are several things a candidate can do at the end of an interview that wrap up the discussion in a strategic way.

Preparing for your interview

Travel tips

  • Confirm ahead of time who will be making the travel arrangements.
  • Dress appropriately; you never know who will meet you at the airport.
  • Have the hotel and taxi/shuttle names, phone numbers and addresses with you.

Meal tips

  • If possible, find out who will be in attendance.
  • Order something that's easy to eat and doesn't make a mess.
  • Remember that a meal is still part of the interview and can affect your status as a job candidate.
  • Do not order the most expensive meal on the menu or alcohol.
  • If you will be having dinner with company representatives, confirm the specifics: dress code, location, time, transportation, etc.

Additional tips

  • Carefully plan all logistics to avoid surprises. If driving, you may want to do a “dry run” especially if you are unfamiliar with the area in which the company is located or if you will be driving during rush hour.
  • Try to get your itinerary ahead of time so that you know what to expect.
  • Pace yourself so that you are not showing exhaustion by the end of the day.
  • Prior to your first interview, ask to use the restroom to freshen up (particularly if you have just flown in or driven in that morning).
  • Bring extra copies of your resume, transcripts, and references.
  • Bring a portfolio, brief case or other similar carrying case (avoid file folders, large envelopes and backpacks).
  • Have a legal pad or steno-notebook and pen ready in case you need to take notes.
  • Be courteous to ALL of the people you meet during the visit.
  • Write down the names and titles of people you meet and ask for their business cards.

Practice interview questions

The resources below can also help you shine in the interview process:

  • Impress Online Mock Interviews: Available exclusively for KU students through HireJayhawks.com. Students can practice interviewing skills anytime, anywhere using the easy-to-use online platform of Business Career Services’ Impress Mock Interview Module. To try out an Impress Mock Interview:

    • Log in to HireJayhawks.com.
    • Click on the Resources menu, then Mock Interviews.
    • Business students can select either “Business – Full Time Positions” or “Business – Internships”
    • The recorded interview may then be submitted to BCS to be reviewed by a career advisor. From there, an advisor will send you a critique of your interview, as well as tips and tricks to improve your performance and gain a cutting edge in the interview room.
  • JobInterviewQuestions.com
  • Case-interviewing tips from Deloitte

Learn about other types of interviews beyond the face-to-face interview on our beyond the on-campus interview page.