Career Services

Interviewing Tips

Preparing for the Interview

Conduct Your Research

It is essential that you prepare yourself for the interview by doing research on the organization. Interviewers will want to know why you want to work for them as opposed to working for some other organization. You should have knowledge of their services, products, or goals before going into the interview. This is a must for campus interviews. Career Services also recommends that you research the industry for which you are interviewing (e.g., banking, insurance, advertising, non-profits).

A few good resources for conducting your research include:

The employer's homepage (if available) - most employers have a website, and you can be certain that they will expect you to have viewed it!
College professors and people already working in the field.
Stock brokerage firms for annual reports.
Online career research tools such as Vault and Wetfeet.
Job Choices magazine for basic information on organizations that hire college graduates.
Industry-related magazines or journals.

The publications mentioned above, as well as others, are available for reading in the Career Services library.

Practice Makes Perfect

Schedule a mock interview with Career Services or participate in our Mock Interview Day.
Make a list of questions you want to ask about the organization.
Rehearse answers to questions that employers are likely to ask you.

The Day of Your Interview

Dress appropriately! Appearance is the first thing you communicate to others. A suit for both women and men is almost always appropriate for all types of interviews. Visit What to Wear for more detailed tips on interview attire.
Know the name of the interviewer. Be ready to greet him/her by a last name and be prepared for a handshake
Bring a pen and portfolio-style folder containing extra copies of your resume. Don’t bring your backpack to the interview.
Arrive 10-15 minutes early. You never want to start off an interview with an excuse for being late. Also, you may be asked to fill out paperwork before your interview begins.
Take a deep breath and give it your all!

What to Wear

Appearance is the first thing you communicate to others. Before you have a chance to speak, others notice how you dress and draw conclusions about you accordingly. Appropriate dress is one of the most important factors in your job search. Your appearance creates an impression that can complement your credentials and give you an extra edge over a field of other qualified competent individuals.

There are standards of professional dress in all career fields. Some industries are more traditional, such as banking, consulting and business. Let the dress standards in the field(s) in which you are interviewing be a guide to what you wear for your interview. Attire in fields such as advertising, the arts, fashion, communications and entertainment is generally less conservative, so the rules are a bit more relaxed.

Rules of the Game: Business Dress

A suit for both women and men is almost always appropriate for all types of interviews. Buy the best quality business suit you can afford. Make sure it fits well, is comfortable, and is pressed before you wear it.

For Men

Colors: The best colors of business dress for men are charcoal gray and dark blue. Pin stripes are acceptable, as are muted plaids and chalk stripes.
Shoes and Socks: Shoes and socks should be in a color that complements the suit and that are not too casual. Leather shoes are best for men.
Shirt and Tie: A white shirt is safest, with sleeves that extend one-quarter inch beyond the jacket sleeve. There is room for some variation in ties, but conservative patterns and colors are most appropriate.

For women, business dress has relaxed somewhat. However, there are several rules which still apply:

Hose: Always wear hose.
Shoes: Do not wear shoes that are open (e.g., open-toe pumps, sandals). The most appropriate shoe to wear with a business suit is a classic pump with mid-height heel, and closed toe with little or no decoration.
Tops, Dresses, Suits: Do not wear sleeveless tops or sleeveless dresses. A skirted business suit (same color jacket and skirt) is the best choice for most interviews for women. A classic suit style is best, and your suit should be well-styled and well-fitting. Avoid a trendy look unless appropriate for your field of interest.
Colors: The best colors for women's business suits are gray, medium or dark blue, burgundy, camel or black. A very small conservative checked or plaid pattern is also acceptable.
Jewelry and Make-Up: Make sure your jewelry is not too casual or flashy, including your wristwatch. Earrings should be business-like, not long or dangling. Low-key make-up is advised; go easy on the eye make-up, and nail polish should be light or neutral.
Handbags and Attache Cases: You may choose to carry a purse or attache case, but not both at the same time.

General Rules

Err on the side of formality rather than informality, and keep your outfit simple instead of showy.

Fragance: Go easy on your fragrance - do not let too much perfume, cologne, or aftershave be overwhelming.

Semi-casual attire for women is a dress or a skirt and blouse with or without a jacket. For men, it is a sport coat and dress slacks, with a tie. A navy blue blazer is a good addition to your wardrobe for both men and women.

Casual dress in a business setting may be khakis or similarly styled pants and a collared sport shirt or sweater for men. For women, a dress or a skirt and blouse or sweater is acceptable. In some business settings, pants are acceptable (although pants are not advised for interviews). Casual dress shoes (e.g., small heels or flats for women, loafers for men) may be worn.

For most interviews business dress is the best choice. Remember that you never get a second chance to make a good first impression! Even the best clothes in the perfect color will not look good if they are wrinkled or dirty. Make sure your suit and shirt/blouse are freshly pressed and your shoes are polished.

Traveling to an On-Site Interview
While traveling to an on-site interview, semi-casual attire or business dress (see above) is best. You may meet someone when traveling or be met upon arrival by someone who will have a part in the hiring process.
Evening Events
If you are attending an evening reception or dinner as part of your interview process, business dress is most suitable unless otherwise specified in the invitation.
Career Fairs
For career fairs, business dress is best.
Picking Up / Dropping Off Resumes/Applications
For picking up or dropping off a resume or application at an employer's office, it is suggested that you wear semi-casual dress.

During the Interview

Most interviews consist of three parts: Opening, Information Exchange, and Closing.

Opening (5-10 minutes)

The first impression is often critical. You should make eye contact, smile and appear eager, and give the interviewer a firm handshake. During the opening minutes, try to size up the employer so you can tailor your performance to his/her style and expectations. Observe the interviewer’s nonverbal habits. Consider statements that act as ice breakers to help you both relax. The opening sets the stage for the exchange of information in the next few minutes.

Information Exchange

During the information exchange, be ready to answer questions about your education, work experience, related activities, your interest in the organization, what type of work you are seeking, present and future goals. The employer will be looking for answers that meet his/her self-interest. S/he will also be observing your personality, your communication skills, and your nonverbal signals.

Watch for signs of waning interest during the interview. If there is a lag, pick up the tempo, but let the employer lead the interview.

Be honest about your interest. Bluffing can be spotted. Try to avoid giving the impression that you are "shopping around" for the best deal.

Don't worry about slips of the tongue. Most employers realize that people are nervous during job interviews. With practice you will improve. If you are stumped by a question, take a moment to compose your thoughts before answering.

Remember that you are interviewing the employer as much as s/he is interviewing you. Determine whether the organization is the kind of place that really suits you.

Inappropriate questions: There is naturally some concern about questions asked by interviewers that seem to be discriminatory in nature. Such questions are not of themselves illegal, but using the responses to them in the decision-making process may be considered illegal. For this reason, many interviewers make it a point to avoid anything which can appear in the least questionable. Women and minorities, however, should attempt to anticipate any possible discriminatory inquiries and prepare responses in advance of job interviews.

Closing

During the closing, establish when you can expect to hear further from the interviewer. Be sure you understand all you need to know about the job. Many employers state that they are impressed by the candidate who candidly states at the close of the interview that s/he wants the job. (This is especially important for sales positions.)

Mock Interview

Have you ever had trouble expressing to your friends what you wanted to say? If so, imagine that you are speaking with a potential employer who wears a suit, tie and shiny shoes. Will you be able to express yourself clearly while you are interviewing for a job with them? The mock interview is designed to give you practice describing your skills and achievements so that when you are sitting with a potential employer, you know how to say what you want to say.

A mock interview offers many ways to advance your interviewing skills, including the following:

Practice answering questions
Taped interview
Feedback from trained and knowledgeable career counselors

Remember to:

Bring a copy of your resume to the interview
Wear professional attire

In order to sign up for a mock interview, you will need to make an appointment with a Career Counselor. The interview will last 60 minutes; if you would like to sign up for a videotaped mock interview, it will last 90 minutes.

Questions to Ask Employers at the End of the Interview:

What are the opportunities for personal growth?
What is the realistic time frame for advancement?
How is an employee evaluated and promoted?
What is the retention rate of people in the position for which I am interviewing?
Describe the typical first-year assignments.
Tell me about your initial and future training programs.
What are the challenging facets of the job?
What are the organization's plans for future growth?
Is the organization stable and financially sound?
What is the organization's record of employment stability?
What industry trends will occur in this organization?
How has this organization fared during the recent recession?
What makes your firm different from its competitors?
What are the organization's strengths and weaknesses?
How would you describe your organization's personality and management style?
Is it organization policy to promote from within?
What kind of career opportunities are currently available for my degree and skills?
What are the expectations for new hires?
Describe the work environment.
What is the overall structure of the department where the position is located?
Why do you enjoy working for your organization?
What qualities are you looking for in your new hires?

Informational Interviews

The informational interview is one of the best tools you can use to gather information about a career. This is an interview that you set up with a practicing professional in the community.

Step 1: Find a professional

Contact an employer / IPFW alumni and ask for the name of a person by job title or career field. You may also receive good leads from friends, family, classmates, co-workers, supervisors, faculty, IPFW alumni and members of organizations.

Use www.fwchamber.org to locate businesses and potential contact persons. Other sources include names of representatives and companies from career fairs held on campus.

Step 2: Contact a professional

Call or email, introduce yourself, and let them know why you are calling. You will find that most professionals are very pleased to talk with you about their major, career, organization, or industry.

Example: "This is Sara Smith. I am a sophomore in psychology at IPFW. I am calling to ask if you would be available to meet with me for 15 minutes in the next few weeks. I am very interested in learning about careers in my field."

Step 3: Conduct the interview

Know what you would like to ask in advance. Here are sample questions to help get you started.

On a typical day, what do you do?
What do you like most about your job? Least?
What training or education is required for your profession?
What skills are required?
What personal qualities are important?
What is the job market like for your field?
How do most people enter this profession?
How did you get your job?
What is your work schedule like?
What are starting salaries and future earning potential?
What special advice would you give someone entering this field?
Does your company offer internships or co-ops?
Do you have a moment to take a look at my resume?
Is there someone else you would suggest I speak with?

Step 4: Show your appreciation

Send a thank-you note within 24 hours.

Additional Information

For additional job search information, please refer to the job search overview page.

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