Interviewing
Your resume may get you an interview, but your interview gets you the job. Clearly, not all interviews are created equally. No matter the interview format (behavioral, case, panel), location (on-campus, on-site, dinner), or the interviewer's personality and level of experience, preparation and practice on your part are always the keys to success.
Always remember 3 things:
- The interviewer wants you to do well. They would not have brought you in if you are not a serious candidate and you'll make their job easier if you are impressive.
- The interview is a 2-way street. This is your best opportunity to find out whether you want the job if it's offered. Don't be afraid to ask questions - in fact, you'll be expected to.
- Do not immediately ask about salary and benefits. This is generally frowned upon in the first interview unless the interviewer brings up the subject. You'll have plenty of opportunities to discuss compensation in following interviews or during the negotiation process.
The #1 reason employers do not hire a candidate they have interviewed is a lack of knowledge of the company and/or position. You have to be able to articulate answer to the questions, "Why do you want to work for (company name)?"
Researching is easy. You can find almost all the information you need if you read the job posting thoroughly and visit the company website. If the company does not have a website, search for news on the internet and ask around (including the CPO). Look specifically for information on:
- Recent news
- Products and services
- Organizational structure (divisions, departments, market segments, etc.)
- Clients, customers, and competitors
This information will also help you formulate intelligent questions. Additionally, take the time to familiarize yourself with the position to the extent possible by thoroughly reading the job description and researching the career field using resources such as Vault.
Behavioral-based Interviews & Sample Questions
The most common interview style used today is the behavioral-based interview. This format is based on the theory that past performance predicts future actions. Questions tend to begin with phrases such as:
- "Tell me about a time when....."
- "Give me an example of....."
- "Describe a situation where....."
These questions are best answered using the S.A.R. framework - Situation -Action - Result.
For more information on behavioral-based interviews, the SAR framework, as well as a full list of commonly asked interview questions, see our Sample Interview Questions Guide.
Mock interviews are the best form of practice. Throughout the course of the year, the CPO brings in Indianapolis-area employers to conduct 1-on-1 mock interviews with Kelley Indianapolis students. The interviews generally last for 30 minutes, with 20 minutes allotted for the interview and the final 10 minutes for a debrief and information conversation. Contact the CPO directly or check KelleyCareers for upcoming opportunities.
If you cannot attend a 1-on-1 mock interview, you can try the next best thing - a virtual mock interview - using InterviewStream. Click on the link below for more information.
Whatever position you are interviewing for - dress professionally. For specifics, read the following "Dressing for Interview Success" article from CollegeGrad.com.
Dressing for Interview Success
