Interviewing

Before the Interview: Research

Understand and clarify interview format and logistics
The employer should provide you with an estimated interview duration; whether it will take place on the phone, via video, or in person; the details you need to attend the interview (i.e., phone number, link, or address); and a list of the people you will meet with. If you are lacking any of that information, feel free to reach out to the employer to ask so that you will know what to expect on interview day.

Research the organization

During the interview, you will need to be well-informed about the organization, role, and industry so that you can convey your overall preparedness, as well as your fit for this specific opportunity. You can learn about the industry in general using Career Education’s industry specific resources. In addition, you must learn about the organization. You can do most of this by reading their website and/or publications carefully. In particular, make note of:
- Their mission statement
- How they describe the work they do
- The size of the team, and where this role sits within it
- Any important current or upcoming initiatives they describe on their website
- Recent news articles or social media posts about the organization

Use LinkedIn and The Wellesley Hive to determine whether any Wellesley alums — or others in your network — currently work at this organization, or have worked there in the recent past. If so, try to schedule a conversation with them to learn more about the organizational culture and any particular insights that may help you to understand the opportunity.

As you research the organization and industry, keep notes of details that especially interest you and those that seem most important, as well as anything you have questions about.

Research the role
Additionally, make sure you know as much as you can about the position you are applying for. At a minimum, you should develop a sense of:

The general job description
The role’s specific responsibilities
The goals or priorities of this position
How this job relates to the broader organization
The skill set required for the role

This information will give you clues as to what the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate and what they will want to focus on during the interview. You can also use this information to start connecting your own background, transferable skills, experiences, and qualifications to the employer’s specific organizational needs.

To learn about the role, read the job description carefully. You may find it helpful to read it slowly and out loud multiple times, making notes about any elements that strike you as particularly interesting and important.

Reflect on your skills, strengths, and goals
An interview is an opportunity for you to communicate what makes you a good fit for a particular role. Once you have a firm understanding of the role and the organization, from your research above, you must reflect on what traits or skills best show your ability to fulfill that role successfully.

Conduct a self-assessment by reviewing your resume, taking stock of skills you have developed both inside and outside the classroom, and thinking through the experiences where you have learned or grown the most. Also consider your future goals and what motivates you, and the most salient elements of your personality.

Now, consider what you know about the job alongside what you know about yourself.

Self-Assessment Process

Which of your qualities, skills, or experiences align best with this particular role, and why? Compose a list of 3–5 attributes that you think best summarize why you are a good fit for this role; these can be personality traits, strengths, skills, knowledge, or experiences. Write down these qualifications as short, direct bullet points as a reminder of why you are a good fit for this role.

For example, you may decide that your most salient qualifications for a particular position are: (1) I speak fluent Spanish; (2) I am proficient in using R for data analysis; (3) I have prior research experience; and (4) I love being on small teams.

Once you have this list, which you have carefully compiled based on your knowledge of the role and of yourself, start brainstorming examples that illustrate them. For the list above, the brainstorm for “I am proficient in using R for data analysis” might include:

I took three classes in which we learned and practiced using R to a high level;
I did [specific class project] in which I analyzed a large dataset using R to support my hypothesis;
I worked as a research assistant for a professor studying creativity, and I was in charge of data cleaning and basic analyses in R;
Some of the types of analyses I have done include t–tests, ANOVAs, and chi-square tests [explain when you did those, for what projects]

Once you know the key attributes you want to highlight that are most relevant to the job description, as well as some examples that allow you to showcase those attributes, you are ready to start practicing questions and answers for the interview.

Before the Interview: Practice

Practice describing your qualifications
During the interview, the employer will ask you questions to assess your fit for the position, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions of them as well. Some of the questions that employers will ask are fairly predictable. These include questions like, “Tell us about yourself” and “Why are you interested in this position?” But other questions are less predictable. So, while it is helpful to spend some time practicing how you will answer common interview questions, the most important thing is to remember what you want to communicate in the interview — those salient attributes you identified earlier — so that no matter what question you are asked, you know what themes to highlight in your responses.

Practice describing your relevant background and accomplishments concisely and positively. For all of the examples you brainstormed above, practice how you would tell that story to an employer, emphasizing the relevant skills and connectedness to the job you are interviewing for. You can think of this process as communicating your personal pitch. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) framework to tell stories about your experiences and accomplishments – such as a time you solved a problem, or achieved a goal. You can find more information on the STAR framework in the “During Your Interview” section below.

Practice answering common interview questions
It is not possible to know exactly which questions an employer will ask during an interview. However, rehearsing your answers to common interview questions can be a good way to practice responses that are thorough, specific, and also concise.

Sample Questions: Employer to Candidate

How would your friends/colleagues describe you?
What do you think is the most critical public issue of our time?
What challenges does this position present?
How do you react to pressure?
Why this organization? Why this role?
Are you comfortable working with all levels in this organization?
How do you like to be managed?
What is not on your resume that you would like us to know about you?
What do you like to do outside of work?
Why do you want to leave your current job?
What could we do better or differently here?
What motivates you?
With competing priorities, how do you determine which you do first? Which one gets most of your attention?

Before the Interview: Mock Interviews

Mock Interviews
Mock interviews allow you to have a full, formal interview experience with a trusted person who will provide you honest feedback. Doing mock interviews is a great way to prepare before a real job interview. You can do a mock interview with a friend or family member, and you can also schedule one with an Industry Advisor or Advisor for Career Exploration (ACE).

Prepare questions to ask during the interview
You will have the opportunity to ask some questions during your interview. Prepare a written list of at least six questions you would like to ask the interviewer. You may not have sufficient time to ask all of your questions; therefore, prioritize asking your top questions in case time is short.

You may have developed some questions during your research on the organization and the role. For example, perhaps you would like to learn more about a new project mentioned on the organization website, or you would like to clarify where this role is situated within the broader team. Ideally, most of the questions you develop should reflect and build upon what you already know. Do not ask questions that an employer would reasonably expect you to already know (e.g., “What does this organization do?” or “What are the main duties of this position?”).

It is a good idea to tailor your questions to the person or people who will be interviewing you. If you will be meeting with the person who would be your direct supervisor, you may want to ask more specific and detailed questions about the role itself, and how you will be working with that person. If, however, you are meeting with an organization’s director or president, you may want to ask about long-term strategy and goals for the organization rather than nitty-gritty details about your day-to-day job.

Some questions you may consider asking the employer include:

What would you identify as the most important skills for the person in this role to have?
With whom would I interact most often in this role? Can you share the team structure?
How would you describe your organizational culture?
Which industry trends do you think will most affect this organization’s strategy in the next few years?
What are the most exciting opportunities for this organization right now? What are the most frustrating challenges?
What do you love about working here?

During the Interview

For in person interviews: make sure you know where to go to start the day, what time to arrive, and whom you will meet upon arrival. If you are traveling to a new city and can arrive the day before, use the extra time to get acquainted with the interview location and decide on a route. If you don’t have some of this information, clarify the details with your contact in advance. Do your best to reduce stress by keeping to your normal routine. Get a good night’s sleep, eat before the interview, don't over-caffeinate.

Try not to schedule anything immediately before or after your interview. Plan to arrive 10–15 minutes early and let your contact know if you are running late. Be thoughtful in your interactions with everyone you meet throughout the day.

Speak positively to yourself and practice slow, deep breathing as you head to the interview. As much as you can, try to be yourself and enjoy the conversation!

When the interview begins, greet everyone individually and offer a firm handshake if in person. Make eye contact throughout the conversation, and try to maintain good posture.

For phone and virtual interviews: test all of your technology the night before and be ready 15 minutes before your scheduled start time. If a stable phone or internet connection might be an issue, let your interviewer know and have a plan to complete the interview.

What to Bring
For in person interviews:

A padfolio or simple folder with several copies of your resume, paper, and pen
A printed copy of your interview schedule that includes names, titles, contact information, and interview locations of those you will meet
Appropriate identification if you are entering a secure building; usually a government-issued ID will suffice

For phone/virtual interviews, focus on technology and space:

Test the interview platform ahead of time and make sure you have a strong Internet connection
Use a space with a plain background, if at all possible
Ensure that your space will be well-lit at the time of the interview
Use headphones and a microphone if possible, to reduce possible background noise

What to Wear
It is important to dress appropriately for the employer and role, though you can also find ways to be true to your own style and culture. While it may be tempting to dress in your most comfortable clothes for a phone/virtual interview, since your outfit will be mostly invisible to the interviewer, try to resist that temptation. Dressing a bit more formally will help you to feel more confident, alert, and prepared during the interview.

Some organizations will tell you what to wear for an interview, while others will not. When in doubt, err on the formal side and avoid clothing with wrinkles, rips, or stains. Refrain from using any strong perfumes or fragrances during an interview. Below are some explanations of common types of professional dress. If you need a suit for an interview, the Career Education Suit Program is free and easy to use.

Business formal attire is usually a combination of the following:
- Black, navy, or similarly dark suit, pants, or skirt
- Wrinkle-free, dark or neutral colored blouse, dress shirt, or turtleneck
- Closed-toe shoes with or without a modest heel
- Simple jewelry, if desired
Business casual reflects a broader range of options that are less formal and often more colorful than business formal. While business casual offers more ways to express your personal style, it should still be aligned with the organization’s workplace culture. See a few examples here.

Answering Interview Questions
Do your best to maximize the interview by giving clear, thoughtful answers that allow you to (1) answer the question, while simultaneously (2) showing your fit for the position. Remember what you know about the organization, the job, and your top qualification that you brainstormed ahead of time. Use each question as an opportunity to highlight your key qualifications, providing concise examples to illustrate your points.

Interview Question Types
You will not be able to guess exactly what will be asked during an interview. Below is an overview of question and interview types, please refer to resources from the relevant industry advisor for more specific support.

Broad: Tell me about yourself. What brings you here?

This sounds like an easy question to answer but without practice it can be easy to talk took long or stray from relevant information. Your response should be brief – approximately 60 seconds – and should showcase your relevant qualifications and interest in the role. Depending on the position and organization, you will want to include other relevant details about your background. For example:

Provide a brief, 1-2 minute, overview of your academic studies at Wellesley
Explain relevant work, internship, or volunteer experience and the skills you gained there that connect to this role
Describe your current interests and professional goals and how this opportunity reflects them, making it a good next step for you

Your response to this question may be similar to what you say for an elevator pitch. See our guide here for ideas and inspiration on crafting an effective pitch.

Interest: Why are you interested in this field, this organization, this role?

This is where all of your preparation comes in handy. You should be able to explain your interests with enthusiasm — and with two or three solid reasons for each. You will likely be asked some version of one of those questions at least.

Behavioral: Tell me about a time when... you overcame an obstacle, you showed leadership, you implemented a creative solution, you managed competing priorities, etc.

Behavioral based interviewing is based on the premise that past behavior is indicative of future behavior. Interviewers ask specific examples that will target behaviors from past experiences. Using the STAR method here can help you frame your answer and communicate your impact effectively and concisely.

While bearing in mind the key qualifications you want to highlight, use the STAR method to provide relevant anecdotes that showcase those attributes or experiences.

Situation: Set the stage, give context to ensure the interviewer understands the ask
Task: What was your role in this situation?
Action: How did YOU complete the task? How did YOU contribute to the solution?
Result: What was the result?

Case: How many hot dogs are consumed in the U.S. annually?

A case interview is a logical or business problem (i.e. a case study) that is presented to you by one or multiple interviewers. The purpose of a case interview is to see how you think about business problems and analyze data. Additionally, interviewers are looking to see how you approach ambiguous problems and how you perform under pressure.

During the Case Interview, you will either be presented with an open – ended question (ex: how many coffins are in NYC?) or a specific case – study about a firm with a particular problem. Your interviewer will help guide you through the case, but you are expected to ask questions, clarify information, and work with numbers.

Case study resources: https://www1.wellesley.edu/careereducation/resources/consulting

Resilience: Tell me about a failure, mistake, weakness.

These types of questions seek to understand how you react when faced with a challenge. You should answer them with a true example of a mistake or weakness, and then emphasize how you handled that situation and how you have learned or grown from it afterwards. Be positive and confident; we all make mistakes! The interview is interested in your ability to recover and grow after a significant challenge.

Technical: What’s the difference between Java and C++?

Write a program that reads a positive integer N and then prints an "N times table" containing values up to N * N.

Technical interviews are designed to assess your analytical, problem solving, and coding skills. Questions can range from your level of familiarity with processes (Agile, Scrum) to demonstrating your ability to code in a specific language.

Employers who use technical interviews often start with coding assessments, in which applicants have a set amount of time to complete an online assessment. The next round is usually a technical phone interview, including discussing technical skills or a pair programming exercise. Final rounds may include whiteboarding sample code. When whiteboarding, the focus is less on whether you get the problem right, and more on how you approach the problem. It is important to explain your approach out loud, ask clarifying questions, and demonstrate your thought process.

Inappropriate & Illegal Questions

It is possible that you will be asked inappropriate or illegal questions during your interview.

Generally speaking, you should not be asked questions about age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status, or income. Specifics can vary by state and type of position. Massachusetts law about hiring employees can be found online.

You can try and redirect the conversation back to your candidacy and your list of 3–5 attributes that you think best summarize why you are a good fit for this role. You can always reach out to Career Education or other members of your support network to debrief and decide what to do.

After the Interview

The interview may be over, but your interaction with the interviewers will continue for at least a little while. Your goal after an interview is to maintain a line of communication with the interviewer, and the first way to do this is through your interview follow-up email.

Within 24 hours of the interview’s end, and ideally on the same day, send a brief thank you email to each person you met with during the interview. Use the brief note to express appreciation for each interviewer’s time, underscore your interest in and enthusiasm for the position, and reiterate any important points from the conversation. Use any notes you took during the interview to tailor each message to the person, their role, and anything unique to the conversation. You also could use your note to bring up something that didn’t come up but you would like the interviewer to know.

Timelines
Now comes one of the most challenging parts of the search processes: waiting. Employers and industries vary greatly in how long it can take to get an answer after your interview. Check in with your industry advisor to discuss the timelines and processes for your industry.

If you have questions, concerns, or need to debrief after your interview make an appointment with your ACE or an Industry Advisor.

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