The Job Interview

Before, During and After

A job interview is an important part of the job search process. It is both an opportunity for an employer to assess your related
skills and qualifications for a specific position, and for you to determine how closely that environment and role will match your
own interests, goals, and expectations.

This document will cover:

Pre-interview – how to effectively prepare so that you make a great first impression
During the interview – answering questions, providing examples, and illustrating the “fit”
Post-interview – following up in a timely manner, and evaluating your performance.

PRE-INTERVIEW
Research and Preparation
You should never go on an interview without a thorough understanding of the needs of the hiring company. The job posting,
in combination with some fairly simple research (via company website, networking contacts, etc.) should give you a solid
understanding of what the company does, as well as the requirements and key responsibilities of the available position.
During the interview, you should be prepared to demonstrate that you:

1) Can do that job

2) Want to do that job
3) Would fit in with the rest of the company.

To do that successfully, preparation (and lots of it) is necessary; here are some ideas to get you started:

1) Draw a line down the center of a piece of paper. On the left side, make a bulleted list of what the employer is looking
for based on the job posting. On the right side, make a bulleted list of the qualities you possess that fit those
requirements.
2) Research the company, the industry and the competition using LinkedIn, Google, networking contacts, CareerLINK
and the company website.
3) Practice a firm (but not bone-crushing) and confident handshake with someone who will give an honest critique.
4) Prepare your answer to the question "Tell me about yourself," keeping in mind the three factors you need to convince
them of (can do the job, want to do the job, would fit in).

5) Prepare answers to the 10 most common interview questions:

- Tell me about yourself.

- Why did you leave your last position?
- What do you know about this company?

Career Services & Cooperative Education Center, University of Massachusetts Lowell

450 University Crossing | O’Leary Library
Phone: 978-934-2355 | Email: [email protected] | Web: http://career.uml.edu
 - What are your goals?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Why do you want to work for this company?
- What has been your most significant achievement?
- How would your last boss and colleagues describe you?
- Why should we hire you?
- What are your salary expectations?

6) List approximately five questions to ask the interviewer about the job, the company and the industry.
7) Research salary data (www.salary.com, www.onetonline.org, www.payscale.com, or www.bls.gov); determine your
salary needs based on your living expenses (current and anticipated) -- what is your bottom line?
8) Practice “closing the interview” -- thanking the employer for his/her time and expressing interest in next steps.
9) Get permission from your references to use their names and distribute their contact information.
10) Write at least five success stories to answer behavioral interview questions.

Behavioral Interview Questions

Behavioral questions are questions that focus on how you handled specific situations in the past. They are structured to elicit
descriptions of your skills and help the company or organization determine how well your skills align with their identified
needs. Behavioral questions most often measure “soft” skills, e.g., adaptability, initiative, leadership, motivation, negotiation,
teamwork, planning, decision-making, conflict management, and handling change.

The philosophy behind behavioral interviewing is that the most accurate predictor of future performance is past performance.
It has been shown that behavioral interviewing is 55% predictive of future behavior vs. 10% for traditional interviewing.

Try using the PARK method to come up with examples and stories for behavioral interview questions:

P-A-R-K: Problem, Action, Result(s), Knowledge gained

- First, set a framework for the interviewer by explaining the problem (context/situation) (P)
- Secondly, explain what actions you took / decisions you made to resolve or improve the situation (A)
- Next, state the results of your actions (R)
- Finally, indicate any knowledge gained from this experience (K)

Example:

Question: Give me an example of a time when you assumed a leadership role when working on a team.

Response #1 (poor): I feel that I always contribute to a team in different ways. I’m never content to sit back and wait to be
told what needs to be done.

Response #2 (good): In my senior year I worked on a team project for a marketing class that required research, a class
presentation and a 20-page paper. There were four of us on the team. We all contributed and I took the lead in presenting
our work to the class.

Career Services & Cooperative Education Center, University of Massachusetts Lowell

450 University Crossing | O’Leary Library
Phone: 978-934-2355 | Email: [email protected] | Web: http://career.uml.edu
Response #3 (best):
P = In my senior year I worked on a four-person team project for a marketing class that required research, a class presentation
and a 20-page paper.

A = I suggested that we each identify our strengths and weaknesses so that we could determine who should work on what.
From that, I led the team in outlining the essential elements of the paper. We discussed them and agreed on a focus for our
research. My classmates seemed relieved to have a structure and clear goal.

R = This was the best team project I was involved in because we were all on the same page. We respected each other’s
strengths and weaknesses. We knew how we needed to contribute and no one felt stepped on. Our professor was impressed
and gave us the highest grade in the class.

K = I learned a lot from this experience. Communication is more than speaking and writing. Listening is an essential part of
communicating effectively. As the lead, I needed to listen to all the members in order to clarify and summarize our decisions
and assignments. It was gratifying to have enthusiastic participants. I learned that through mutual respect and utilizing our
individual strengths we became a stronger team and I became a more effective leader.

Here are some examples of other behavioral interview questions:

- Give me an example of a time when you showed initiative.

- Describe a time when you were faced with a problem that you did not anticipate.
- Describe a difficult decision you made in the last year.
- Tell me about a time when you voiced a concern or disagreement to a co-worker or supervisor.
- Tell me about a situation in which you had to coordinate the work of several people to achieve a goal.
- Tell me about a time when you worked on a team and things were not going well.
- Describe a situation where others you were working with on a project disagreed with your ideas.
- Tell me about a time when you had to determine priorities in scheduling your time.
- Tell me about a time when your manager or supervisor was unavailable and a problem arose.
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.
- Walk me through a time when you had to deal with a conflict at work.
- Describe a time when you were the least satisfied at work; describe a time when you were most satisfied at work.
- Describe something creative that you have done.
- Describe one of your most disappointing experiences; describe one of your most satisfying experiences.

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

Before an interview, in addition to preparing answers to questions you expect to get, you should also be thinking about the
questions you plan to ask the interviewer, and how you will “close” (or end) the interview. During the course of the
conversation, many of your questions will most likely be answered without specifically asking them. It’s a good idea, however,
as part of your interview preparation, to identify several questions to ask the interviewer. Asking good, thoughtful questions
shows your interest in the position and demonstrates the company research you’ve done. Here are some examples:

- What kind of assignments may I expect during the first six months of the job?
- Do you offer a training program? How long does it last?

Career Services & Cooperative Education Center, University of Massachusetts Lowell

450 University Crossing | O’Leary Library
Phone: 978-934-2355 | Email: [email protected] | Web: http://career.uml.edu
 - What products (or services) are in the development stage right now?
- Do you have plans for expansion? What are your growth projections for the next year?
- Why is this position open? (Is it a new position, or a replacement position?)
- What is the largest single challenge facing your staff (department, company, or industry)?
- What characteristics do top performers in this company seem to share?
- Why do you like working for this organization?
- How will my performance be evaluated? How frequently will I be evaluated?

Other Important Factors to Consider

1) Exactly where the interview will be held, how long it will take to get there (this will vary depending on the time of day)
and, if you are driving, where you will park when you arrive
2) The name of the person you will be meeting with, and how many interviews in total you will be having that day
3) The items you should bring with you:
- A padfolio containing several copies of your resume, a pad of paper, a pen, a copy of your references, and any
questions you wrote down for the interviewer
- Directions to the interview and (if needed) toll or parking money
4) Items you should NOT take with you:
- Big, bulky coat or jacket (if possible)
- Large purse or backpack
- Cell phone
5) The first impression you will make when you arrive (professional interview attire, hygiene, grooming, posture, and
handshake)

What to Wear
Guidelines for Men:
- Conservative dark navy, gray, or black two-piece business suit
- White or light-colored long sleeve button-down dress shirt (pressed)
- Conservative tie that complements the suit
- Nicely polished dress shoes and dark socks
- Belt (in good condition) that matches the shoes
- Little or no aftershave or cologne
- Piercings / tattoos should be minimized or covered up

Guidelines for Women:

- Conservative navy, black, gray, beige or brown suit (either a pant-suit or skirt-suit is acceptable)
- A blazer with skirt and blouse is an alternative to a suit
- Skirt length should be just below the knee
- Closed-toe pumps with a conservative heel-height
- Little or no scent (cologne, perfume, hairspray, etc.)
- Conservative / small jewelry only
- Piercings / tattoos should be minimized or covered up

Career Services & Cooperative Education Center, University of Massachusetts Lowell

450 University Crossing | O’Leary Library
Phone: 978-934-2355 | Email: [email protected] | Web: http://career.uml.edu
DURING THE INTERVIEW
Arrival
Try to arrive at your interview about 10 minutes before it is scheduled to start. If you have some time beforehand, consider
going to the restroom for one last check in the mirror. When you check in with Reception, you will likely be directed to take a
seat in the lobby while you wait for your interviewer to come greet you; during that time, you can review your notes or the
examples you prepared for the interview or simply sit and take some deep, calming breaths (it is believed that oxygenation of
the brain reduces anxiety levels and helps bring clarity and focus).

When the interviewer arrives to greet you, stand and introduce yourself with a smile and a professional (firm) handshake.
Keep your posture tall and confident, and look the person in the eye when you shake his/her hand.

Your Conversation
When the conversation begins, try to do the following:

1) Focus on the points you have prepared without sounding rehearsed or stiff
2) Relax and enjoy the conversation
3) Learn what you can about the company, and share what you already know
4) Ask questions and listen
5) Smile appropriately; don’t appear as though the interview is painful for you
6) Be sure to ask the questions you came prepared with, and inquire about next steps
7) As the interview comes to a close, thank the interviewer for his/her time and express your strong interest in the
position and company
8) If you haven’t already received it, ask for the interviewer’s business card.

It’s important that you not ask questions about salary or benefits until a job offer is presented to you. This includes questions
regarding tuition reimbursement, vacation time, sick time, insurance benefits, relocation information, and salary. Let the
employer bring up these topics first.

Hiring managers report that the most common interview mistakes include not knowing anything about the company, talking
negatively about a previous job / employer, answering questions with personal information, asking about benefits / salary,
and talking too much. Do your best to avoid these mistakes by preparing for each and every interview!

The Close
At the very end of the interview, it’s a good idea to ask questions that will help you understand the employer’s decision-
making and hiring timeframe, such as:

- What is the next step in the interview process?

- Would it make sense for me to follow up with you next week to see where you are in the process?
- When do you expect to make your final hiring decision?

Career Services & Cooperative Education Center, University of Massachusetts Lowell

450 University Crossing | O’Leary Library
Phone: 978-934-2355 | Email: [email protected] | Web: http://career.uml.edu
POST-INTERVIEW
First, make sure to send a follow-up “Thank You” letter or email (see the Career & Co-op Center for a sample) to everyone you
met with.

Next, think about what you did well and what needs improvement. In particular, consider these elements:

- Overall feeling of satisfaction with this interview.

- Did you arrive on time?
- How was your introduction -- good greeting / handshake / posture?
- Did you appear confident and professional at all times, speaking calmly and clearly?
- Did you show interest by smiling and asking questions, when appropriate?
- Did you provide the examples that you prepared for the behavioral questions?
- Did you discuss relevant experiences, academic projects, and/or skill sets?
- How was your nonverbal communication (body language)?
- Did you handle the difficult questions with ease, or did they fluster you?
- Did you establish a good rapport with the interviewer?
- Did you effectively “close” the interview by expressing interest and inquiring about next steps?
- What would you do differently the next time?

Finally, if the company contacts you with an offer, thank them and ask (courteously) for a couple of days to consider it. Make
sure you get back to the company by the time you said you would.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Keep in mind that hiring managers report that the most important factors when considering a candidate are:

- Subject matter knowledge / expertise

- Genuine interest in the company and position
- Energy and enthusiasm

Other “soft skills” that employers tend to look for include: leadership, planning / organization, ethics / integrity, knowledge,
and applied learning. Prepare and practice specific examples of these traits and others that you know are important to the
company.

Know what your market value is before you begin the interview process. To research typical starting salaries, talk to people
you know who are working in your field of interest, and use internet resources such as the ones previously listed.

If you get turned down for a position that you were genuinely excited about (and qualified for), consider sending a follow-up
letter to the recruiter or hiring manager. In this letter, thank them again for their time and consideration and let them know
that you remain interested in the position and company. They won’t be expecting this, and they may actually contact you if
you’ve made a good impression and the position becomes available again.

Career Services & Cooperative Education Center, University of Massachusetts Lowell

450 University Crossing | O’Leary Library
Phone: 978-934-2355 | Email: [email protected] | Web: http://career.uml.edu
And finally, don’t underestimate the importance of a good first impression! Make sure your interview attire and accessories
are appropriately professional. When in doubt, go for the more conservative option.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Please feel free to utilize the following tools and resources, provided by the UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center:

PRACTICE INTERVIEW: Contact the Career & Co-op Center at 978-934-2355 to schedule a practice interview to take place
either in a DVD-recorded, face-to-face environment in our offices, or by phone to rehearse the commonly used phone screen
interview. It's a good idea to schedule these practices well in advance of "the real thing."

INTERVIEWSTREAM: If you have a webcam, another terrific way to prepare for job interviews is to use a unique online
product, InterviewStream, that lets you respond to a video-recorded interviewer, record your answers, and play them back -
as many times as you like -- all from the comfort of your own computer screen, 24/7/365!

VIDEO LIBRARY: Visit our homepage (career.uml.edu) and click on “CareerSpots Video Library” to view concise and relevant
career-related videos on a variety of topics.

HANDOUTS: To view more interview-related handouts, visit our website (career.uml.edu) and click on “For Students” and
then “Interviewing.”

LINKEDIN: If you are a member of our UMass Lowell Alumni-Student Career Connections group on LinkedIn, feel free to
present your interview-related questions to see if any fellow members can provide useful advice.

APPOINTMENTS: To schedule an interview with a Career Counselor, to discuss interviewing or any other career-related topic
or concern, contact the Career & Co-op Center at 978-934-2355. Please also feel free to come in during posted drop-in times
for a quick (15-minute) consultation with a Career Counselor.

Career Services & Cooperative Education Center, University of Massachusetts Lowell

450 University Crossing | O’Leary Library
Phone: 978-934-2355 | Email: [email protected] | Web: http://career.uml.edu