Interviewing for a professional job or internship can be intimidating if you haven't prepared in advance. Careful preparation involves preparing answers to typical interview questions, rehearsing your answers, participating in mock interviews, assembling your interview outfit (clothing), and researching the organization you will be interviewing with.
There are interviewing "do's and don'ts" that you should be aware of as well. This FAQ will answer some of the most common questions that students have about professional interviewing.
- How should I prepare for a professional interview?
- How do I "do" campus interviewing?
- How do I work a career fair? Are they worth my time?
- I am a female and will be interviewing with a top financial services firm. What should I wear to the interview?
- Should I take notes during a professional interview?
- Can you give me a good example question to ask a recruiter in an interview?
- I want to do a "mock" interview. How do I arrange one?
- How should I prepare for a professional interview?
- Adequate preparation takes time, so allow yourself as much time as possible to prepare yourself for your interview. 2-3 weeks is a guideline, but in the real world you may not have that much time. Do as much preparation as you can given your time constraints. You can even begin preparations BEFORE you have a scheduled interview.
The Interviewing Guidelines published by UA Career Services will assist you in your preparation effort. The interview is broken down to "Before, During, and After" your interview. Approximately 75% of your time and effort takes place before the interview.
Check out the Interviewing Guidelines.
- How do I "do" campus interviewing?
- Campus interviewing refers to when employers visit the campus for the specific purpose of interviewing UA students. To participate, students must be registered specifically for Campus Interviewing.
Campus interviewing should NOT be your only job or internship search strategy. You should be using other resources and strategies as well. Professional networking, career fairs, and visiting likely employer Web sites are all strategies you should include in your job search toolbox.
- How do I work a career fair? Are they worth my time?
- Campus career fairs represent an important opportunity for UA students to meet face-to-face with the recruiters from various companies, government and/or public agencies. Yes, they are definitely worth your time, but you should plan your time well to make the most of each event.
Most career fairs publish a list of attending organizations well before the actual day of the event. Get a copy of this list and use it! Circle or otherwise highlight your "top 10" employers and make sure to visit them first. Career fairs take time, and many students become frustrated when they have to run to class before getting to their target employer.
Also, take career fairs seriously. That means, come prepared as the young professional you are. Dress for success, bring copies of your resume (on nice resume paper), and ditch the backpack for a professional-looking portfolio or briefcase. Practice your "One Minute Commercial" so that you can quickly highlight your professional skills and experience to a recruiter.
- I am a female and will be interviewing with a top financial services firm. What should I wear to the interview?
- The first impression you leave with the employer also includes how you look. What you wear to your interview tells your employer whether you’re moving toward the top or not. Be sure that you feel comfortable and confident in your outfit and project a professional image.
Your research on the company may tell you if your outfit is suitable for the atmosphere you would potentially be working in. It’s best to try on your outfit the night before to be sure everything is in place. Dress as if you already have the job, or slightly better. If you are unsure, it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed.
Attire suggestions can be found in the Interviewing Guidelines.
- Should I take notes during a professional interview?
- Part of your interview “outfit” should include a portfolio with pen and paper. Taking traditional “notes," as in your college classes, is not recommended. However, you may want to use your portfolio for jotting down important dates or other information the employer may give you about the position.
You may also want to keep your questions for the employer in your portfolio to review before the interview and to use to ask your questions during the interview.
In addition, you may want to meet with a UA Career Counselor to make sure that you are using all of the resources at your disposal. Call (520) 621-2588 to make an appointment today!
- Can you give me a good example question to ask a recruiter in an interview?
- Your research on the company prior to the interview should have helped you develop appropriate questions to ask. These questions will most likely be based on what you need to know about the company to feel comfortable working in this organization.
Good example questions are located in the Interviewing Guidelines.
- I want to do a "mock" interview. How do I arrange one?
- UA Career Services offers Mock Interview events throughout the semester. You will be interviewed by a professional who has been trained in interviewing. The Mock Interview events are listed on the Career Services website.
Other Recommended Interviewing Resources:
Resources on the Web Interviewing Guidelines