The interview is one of the most important elements in the job search process.
The interview gives you and the employer the opportunity to exchange information to determine if you are a good "fit" for each other.
Here are some easy steps to help you feel prepared and confident.
Step 1: Start preparing before your interview day
To be prepared before the interview, you will want to: Know the position, know the company, and know yourself
Expand the menu below to learn more about each of these
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Know the Position |
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Know the Organization |
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Know Yourself |
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Some additional general tips prior to the interview day:
- Arrive 10-15 minutes early and turn off your cell phone
- Use effective non-verbal communication: a firm handshake, friendly smile, and appropriate eye contact
- Remember that body language can help convey confidence, enthusiasm, and interest
- Be courteous to everyone and only speak positively about others (faculty, past employers, co-workers, etc.)
- Always be sincere and honest
- Prepare several questions to ask the employer (see pg. 13}
- Collect business cards from all interviewers and promptly send separate thank you notes (email and/or mail) and any requested materials
- If you have not heard from the employer by the date they said they would contact you, allow 1-2 extra days, then take the initiative to follow up
Step 2: Learn about the different types of Interviews and Interview questions
There are many different types of interviews, as well as interview methods and techniques. Every job is different, and some jobs use a combination of different interview strategies.
Different types of interviews include:
- Screening Interviews, Phone Interviews, One-on-One Interviews, Panel Interviews, and Group Interviews
An interviewee will benefit from using the CAR strategy when responding to interview questions.
CAR stands for: describe the CHALLENGE, what was your ACTION, and what was the RESULT.
Expand the menu below to see more about each part of the CAR strategy
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CHALLENGE |
The challenge gives your interviewer some context of the situation. This part of the question should be concise, only about 30% of your response. Example: While I was working in my part-time role at the music store, we noticed through our tracking that store visits and sales always dropped in the fall months, specifically October. In previous years, the owner had tried to run promotions to increase traffic, without success. |
ACTION |
The action response should focus on what you specifically did. If you were working
on; team, make sure Example: I approached the owner and asked if I could spearhead an initiative to bring customers in the door during our slower months. With a $200 budget, I created marketing plan and event calendar, including collaborations with local musicians, non-profits, and schools |
RESULT |
The result should always be positive and directly correlated with the action you took.
T to quantify your Example: Compared to previous years, our October sales increased by an average of
18 and foot traffic |
Expand the menu below to see some examples of common interview questions
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Personal |
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Education and Experience |
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Specific to the Position |
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Behavioral Questions |
Behavioral questions are used commonly by employers to evaluate if you have the soft skills and competencies needed for the job. By telling them how you performed in the past, they will have a sense of how you will perform in the future. COMMON BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS
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Questions You Can Ask the Employer |
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Step 3: Practice, Practice, Practice
Practice your answers to sample interview questions. If you can, find friends or family who will practice with you.
If you would like to set up a mock interview with the Career Services team, email Careerconnections@cuesta.edu
Need professional clothing for your interview?
Career Services has a Career Closet with free new and gently used clothes for students. Students can collect one free professional outfit per semester at Cuesta College.