Prepare for Interviews
Behavioral. Case. Technical...
You name it, and there's an interview style to match. Today's candidates need to be prepared to succeed in multiple interview settings.
Some interviews take place over lunch or dinner. Brush up on your dining etiquette.
Craft Compelling Answers
Want to tell a potential employer that you’re creative? A problem solver? Flexible? Well-worn phrases won’t help you get the job, but concrete examples will! Also see STAR Method.
Don’t say |
The story you need to tell |
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Highly qualified |
Highlight your accomplishments in previous jobs. Emphasize your specific skills and note any certifications you have earned. |
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Hard worker |
Explain exactly how you've gone the extra mile for your job. For instance, did you regularly meet tough deadlines, handle a high volume of projects, or tackle tasks outside your job description? |
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Team player |
Provide examples of how you worked with colleagues or individuals in other departments to meet an objective or complete a project. |
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Problem solver |
Highlight a difficult situation you encountered and how you handled it. |
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Flexible |
Describe how you responded to a major change at work (or in your schoolwork) or dealt with the unpredictable aspects of your job. |
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People person |
Can you offer examples of your strong communication skills? Can you describe how you’ve worked with co-workers and customers? |
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Self-starter |
What can you contribute immediately to the company or to the department you work in? Describe how you took action when you saw an issue that needed to be fixed. |
Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.