Contents · Diego Alves Designed By Diego Alves Julia Basal Jennifer Bergus Jake Bissaro Selic...

A Very Special Thank You to the English 381: Advanced Technical Writing I Class of Spring 2013 and Prof. Janine

Solberg for Their Thoughtful Feedback on this Work

TIME

Diego Alves

TO GET A JOB

A Job Search GuideFor Recent Grads

A Job Search Guide for Recent Grads i

Diego Alves

Designed By

Diego AlvesJulia BasalJennifer BergusJake BissaroSelic BordenIsabella Broderick-ForsterEmily FalconerSarah GagneCaity GebhardCassie JeonAmanda LavelleStorie LibbyMelissa MahoneyStephanie MannEmily MiasJoey O’ConnellMonika SchrauderMike SullivanMarina VlasevichKrista Wiberg

Written By

ContentsIntroduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iiChapter 1: Getting the Interview . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Your Online Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Cleaning up the Bad Stuff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Showing the Good Stuff: Your Professional Online Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Beginning the Job Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Search Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Decoding the Job Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Using Your Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

The Screening Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Chapter 2: Interviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Preliminary Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Preparing for the Interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Preparing Your Elevator Pitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Preparing “Show, Don’t Tell” Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Mock Interviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Make Yourself Look Like an Interview Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Interview Essentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Types of Interview Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

In the Interview: Being Prepared and Thinking on Your Feet . . . . . . . . . .17What to Ask the Interviewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Chapter 3: After the Interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Following up after the interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Salary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

A Job Search Guide for Recent Gradsii

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Getting the Interview

Chapter 1: Getting the Interview 1

Today, nearly one in three em-ployers screen potential job candidates online, which means that your online image may say a lot about you to a potential employer before you even walk into an interview.

With the increasingly competitive job market, searching for a job has become a job in itself. Find-ing a job today means more than looking for openings and sending out your résumé en masse.

The screening process deter-mines if an applicant has the raw skills and experience appro-priate for the job and thus helps employers avoid spending time on the wrong candidates.

Your Online Image

Beginning the Job Search

The Screening Process

IntroductionAll Majors WelcomeWhen you were still just a freshman getting used to life at college, maybe it felt as if this time would never come, but it’s here: It’s time to get a job, to start your career. Four years have gone by (or more—we don’t judge), and getting a job has probably changed from that thought lurking in the back of your mind to the one thing on it. The job hunt can be intimidating, especially if you don’t know where to start or have the right tools. But fear not, recent grad! We got your back. We know how hard you’ve worked over the years to prepare yourself for that dream job doing what you love, and this guide will help you land it.

How to Read this GuideAll right—enough pep talk. Let’s get you that job. This guide is divided into three chapters, each focusing on dif-ferent aspects of the job hunt. Chapter 1 will show you where to begin the job search, how to showcase yourself online, and how to pass the initial job screening with flying colors. Chapter 2 jumps into the nitty-gritty of the in-terview process, giving you the right tools to become an interview pro. Chapter 3 outlines essential post-interview aspects such as writing thank-you notes and negotiating salary. Each topic stands on its own, so feel free to jump between sections if something seems all too familiar. We’ve taken the time to include all the essential information you will need to sell yourself just right, stand out from the competition, and prove to prospective employers you’re the right person for the job.

Getting the Interview

A Job Search Guide for Recent Grads A Job Search Guide for Recent Grads

Chapter 1: Getting the InterviewChapter 1: Getting the Interview2 3

Today, nearly one in three employers screen poten-tial job candidates online, which means your online image may say a lot about you to a potential employ-er before you even walk into an interview.

Today, nearly one in three employers screen po-tential job candidates online, which means that your online image may say a lot about you to a

potential employer before you even walk into an inter-view. If you must rid yourself of any online “skeletons,” you might consider enlisting some of the following tips to clean up your online identity and to maximize your chances of landing the position:• Search yourself on Google, using a variety of logi-

cal keyword combinations• Find any potentially embarrassing content that

reflects poorly on you• If any content from your old web pages is unpro-

fessional or inappropriate, contact the site web-master and submit a removal request

• Spruce up existing social media sites by deleting unflattering content

• Make a pact with your friends to check in with each other before posting pictures online

• Delete any unprofessional email addresses (i.e., buttface69@hostname)

• Avoid broadcasting your entire life online

Delete Your Old Web Pages from Google SearchesEven if you are successful in having an embarrassing web page about you removed, that page may still be cached (saved) into Google’s search history. This means that a link to the deleted page(s) will still appear in the search results for your name. Luckily, there is a way to permanently delete the link from the cached search results:

• Follow this link to “Remove content from some-one else’s site”: http://support.google.com/web-masters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1663688.

• Select the appropriate removal request for your situation.

• On the final page, type in the URL to be erased.

You’ve worked hard to prepare yourself for your future ca-reer. Now, it’s time to show prospective employers you’re the right person for the job. Creating an online portfolio may be the best way to accomplish this. Imagine having an unlimit-ed and interactive space to showcase your best work to any prospective employ-er—anytime, anywhere. A solid portfolio can also act as a substitute for lack of experience and help you land the job. It’s also a good idea to bring a standard binder portfo-lio to the interview to give you good talking points.1

Keep in mind when creating your online portfolio:• Keep visual elements on your site simple and intuitive

(make use of white space)• Make sure the content is easy to access and browse • Show only your best, proofread work• Be unique without being flashy• Promote your portfolio by using Facebook and LinkedIn.• Always update your site and avoid dead links or “under

construction” messages, which look unprofessional2

Visit weebly.com or wix.com for free domain and web host-ing (no web design experience required).

Imagine having an unlimited and interactive space to showcase your best work to any prospective employer—anytime, anywhere.

Your Online ImageCleaning up the Bad Stuff

Showing the Good Stuff: Your Professional Online Portfolio



With the increasingly competitive job market, searching for a job has become a job in itself. Finding a job today means much more than

simply looking for openings and sending out your ré-sumé en masse including:

Try online search engines. Thousands of companies post their openings on them, and it’s easy to search by the job and skill you want.

Create accounts with search engine websites. By creating accounts with sites like Monster.com, you can post your résumé on them and receive emails when a new job opening in your field becomes available.

Use social networking. Upload your résumé to your profile on sites like LinkedIn. Make sure your social networking profiles reflect how much you want a job in a specific industry or company: the company just may contact you!

Include your name in the URL of social networking accounts. This makes sure your professional sites will come up first in a Google search of your name.

Use your personal network. Your best friend’s com-

pany may have a job opening. Ask people you know about their jobs and see if they can help you get a foot in the door.

Use your school. Most campuses have good job-hunt-ing resources and counselors who can help you use those resources to your best advantage.Contact employers you would love to work for. Even if there are no job openings available, if you get your name on file the company may look to you first when a position becomes available.

Create a job search spreadsheet.3 This spreadsheet should keep track of every company you research, as well as all the contact information of companies, con-nections, and potential employers, so that all the infor-mation you need is in one place.

Target your cover letter and résumé to the specific job you are applying for. This shows that you are in-terested in the company, not just any job opportunity that comes along.

Consider temp jobs and internships. These can be valuable sources of experience that often lead to a better permanent job down the line.

You preferably/definitely have experience in a similar position.No direct experience required.You are familiar with the task, skill, or software.You have generally had at least a year’s worth of experi-ence working with the task, skill, or software.You are very experienced with or have mastery of the task, skill, or software.They want evidence of your successful accomplishmentsYou have skills that will be useful in a number of roles.You are motivated to work hard and do what needs to be done to get the job done right.You take action and do what needs to be done without being told or with little instruction.You work well under deadlines and can excel in a stressful environment.You come up with original and innovative ideas.You can master new tasks quickly with minimal training.You can adapt to a shifting environment, be it physically moving locations or picking up extra hours.You are able to help your coworkers if they need it and you can work well in a team environment.You can communicate with everyone in the company, regardless of position.

Experience preferred/required:

Will train: Working knowledge of:

Proficient in:

Command of:

Proven track record: Transferable Skills:

Highly motivated/Results focused:

Self-starter/ Proactive:

Works well under pressure:

Thinks outside of the box: Fast learner:

Flexible:

Team player/Good interpersonal skills:

Ability to communicate at all levels:

The job description can be tricky to un-derstand. Listed below are some key phrases used in job descriptions and

what they should mean to you.4

Search Strategies Decoding the Job Description

Beginning the Job Search

When providing references, one of the most im-portant things is making sure your references know they’re references. It looks bad when a potential em-ployer calls someone on your list and they sound completely surprised during the phone call. Also, em-ployers aren’t required to stick to your three referenc-es. They may call your previous employers, as well.

In order to ensure the recruiter gets the best possible idea of who you are

as a student and employ-

ee it is good to pick people with whom you have a close connection. Coming straight out of college into the work world might mean you don’t have three for-mer employers who you consider to be solid referenc-es. Instead of using your old boss from the Dunkin’ Donuts job you had in high school, consider asking professors with whom you have a solid relationship. Even an academic advisor or club president might serve as a reference, as long as you know they can provide insight into your work ethic and general at-titude. When asking your references, include a brief description of the position for which you are applying

and to refresh the recommender’s memory of projects or experiences you have had

with them so they can give a detailed and convincing

recommendation.6



Networking is not about asking for a job; it’s about building your pro-fessional social circle and under-standing the demands of the job market of your particular field.

Another resource during the job search is your net-work. Most people think they don’t know the “right” people, or they find the idea of networking intimidat-ing and uncomfortable. It doesn’t have to be! Here is a list of people who are -- or could be -- part of your network:

ClassmatesEvery student has access to classmates who may have similar job interests or even connections to relevant people in their desired industry.Professors: Undergraduates also have their profes-sors who are experts in their fields and are very en-thusiastic about helping students.

Campus connectionsTake advantage of your campus career center and uni-versity- sponsored events such as career fairs. Alumni are a great resource to connect with more experienced professionals.

Informational Interview Contacts Using informational interviews can be a huge benefit because you can actually speak to someone about their jobs directly.

Networking is not about asking for a job; it’s about building your professional social circle and understand-ing the demands of the job market of your particular field. Taking someone out for coffee and picking their brain is one technique for building and expanding your network.5 Another is to use social networking sites like LinkedIn, which have become essential to business networking; keep your profile up-to-date with your professional information and job experience.

Using Your Network References

Chapter 2: Interviews 9

Preparing for the Interview Preliminary Research Preparing your Elevator Pitch “Show, Don’t Tell” Examples Mock Interviews What (Not) to Wear to the Interview What to Bring

Thinking on Your Feet Types of Interview Questions Interview Formats What to Ask the Interviewer

A Job Search Guide for Recent Grads

Chapter 1: Getting the Interview8

A Job Search Handbook for Recent Grads

Before you are invited to an in-person interview, your potential employer will likely put you through a screening process.7 The job interview

is a multistage process, and potential employers can receive interest from hundreds of résumés, many of them from unqualified applicants. The screening pro-cess determines whether an applicant has the raw skills and experience appropriate for the job and thus helps employers avoid spending time interviewing the wrong candidates. By contrast, the final in-person interview is geared towards assessing how well an ap-plicant can translate their proven skills and experience to the job position in question.Remember: Job screeners are not the hiring manager, and they cannot hire you. However, failing the screen-ing process guarantees that you will not land the job.

Five different styles for the screening process:

1. Human Screening: These interviews are typical-ly conducted over the phone by someone reading a script that has been prepared by the hiring manager. This person typically does not know the specifics of the job. If you are successful in answering the scripted questions you will most likely be directed to the hiring manager.2. Automated Phone Screening: An automated

voice reads a set of questions and records your an-swers, which are then shared with the business’s hiring manager(s).

3. Online Screening Questionnaire: You fill out an electronic form attached to the job description.

4. Webcam Screening: There are two different types of webcam interviews: a two-way interview in which you are talking to your interviewer, and a one-way in-terview in which you are video-recorded answering questions that are prompted on the screen. In either case, it is important to dress as you would if you were present at an in-person interview.

5. In-person Screening: Whether it’s at a job fair or chance encounter in a shopping mall, be ready to market yourself anytime, anywhere.

Screeners can and will call at any moment. Don’t freeze! If you are not prepared, be ready to say some-thing like “I am about to head out the door, can I call you back?” or “Right now is not the best time, can you call back in the evening?” You don’t need to explain why you are unable to talk; just make sure you have the correct information in order to return the call.

There are several different types of interviews you may find yourself facing once an employer sees you as a potential candidate. It’s important to under-stand what each of these interview formats entail so that you can be prepared.

Chapter 2: InterviewsThe Screening Process Chapter 2 Interviews

Chapter 2: InterviewsChapter 2: Interviews10 11


Research the Company’s: History: When and how did the compa-ny get its start? Where is it now? Research trends within the company over the past few years and determine the direction the com-pany might take in the near future.

Mission Statement: How do its values and objectives intersect with your own?

Products and Services: To what indus-try does the company belong? who are its competitors? what are the significant trends within the industry? Look beyond the com-pany website to trade journals and other websites for current news and information about the industry.

Press: Read press releases and other news coverage of the company.

Location: Plan your travel route to the inter-view and maybe even make a practice drive. This may seem nit-picky, but being lost or late could doom the interview to failure be-fore it even starts.

Showing that you’ve done your homework will always impress the interviewer.

An elevator pitch (also called an elevator speech or chat) is a brief set of talking points that concise-ly convey your strengths as a job candidate. The phrase “elevator pitch” comes from the idea that you should be able to “sell” yourself to someone in the short space of an elevator ride. You should always have one or two versions of your elevator pitch ready for use in job interviews, networking situations, or chance encounters: for example, when you find yourself standing in the long line at Starbucks next to an employee (or the owner!) of a company you’d like to work for. Being able to exploit a small moment like this could be the difference between getting your foot in the door and mulling over a missed opportunity.

Job interviewers will expect you to have an el-evator pitch. “Tell me about yourself” is a com-mon first interview question that’s usually meant to set you at ease; it also presents the perfect opening for your elevator pitch. (Candidates who haven’t prepared for such a question are often tripped up by the openness of this question and may respond with a rambling answer full of per-sonal or irrelevant detail: “I have four brothers, a dog named Willie, and my favorite color is green ….”) You should be able, in three or four bullet points, to briefly describe why you’re interested in the company and what you would bring to the job: your best job-relevant qualities and ac-complishments.8 Show how you’re different from your competitors and the best candidate.

In informal settings, you might begin with a ca-sual comment or question about the company, such as, “I’ve heard J&M is a great company to work for. How do you like it there?”9 before giving your elevator pitch. By remaining concise and fo-cused, you won’t come off as overwhelming, and you improve the likelihood that whoever you are chatting with will remember you—and just may-be recommend you for a position!10

During an interview, you want to be able to demon-strate a thorough understanding of the company for which you’re interviewing. The company’s web-

site is a good place to start your research.

In an interview, simply saying that you are a self-starter or a quick learner isn’t going to grab the attention of the hiring manager. You’ve got to prove these things to the interviewer and make yourself a credible source.

How? With real examples from your work history that are geared towards the boxes your interviewer is looking to check off (see the section on behavioral interview questions). Let’s look at some common interview questions and a few possible answers that can either put you in the alternate pool or land you the job.

Question: “Tell me about yourself.”

Common answer: “Well, I’m a self starter. Once I have the gist of a task I get started on it right away because I enjoy being busy. I’m a quick learner: if you give me a task, I can usually pick it up without much difficulty.”Better answer: “Well, I’m a self starter. For example, on the second day at my internship at the University Press, I found myself alone in the office because most of the staff was in a meeting. The only thing I knew how to do from my first day was how to file press releases and reviews, so rather than sit and wait for my supervisor, I filed as much as possible until the meeting was over. As you can probably tell, I’m also a quick learner. I’m diligent about taking notes when learning new tasks, so I was able to correctly file the documents in the Press’s complicated filing sys-tem without supervision or needing a refresher.”

By making a statement and backing it up with an example, your answer will stick more firmly in the interviewer’s mind and also give you some credibility in the workplace. So, before you head into the interview, try to stockpile a list of examples that showcase your strengths, abilities, and interpersonal skills. These examples are often what will catch the ear of the interviewer and even land you the job!11, 12

Preliminary Research

Preparing for the Interview

Preparing Your Elevator Pitch

“Show, Don’t Tell.”

Preparing “Show, Don’t Tell” Examples


Basic Dress Tips for All:• Dress one step better than you would

on the job. You need to look like a pic-ture of a professional ready to work at the company.

• Don’t have any slogans on your cloth-ing. The interviewer may not agree with the slogans or the companies they represent.

• Don’t wear anything too revealing or sloppy. Dress in modest and clean clothing.

• Match your attitude to your clothes. Don’t slouch or indulge in any bad habits.

• Cover tattoos and remove piercings. 1-2 ear piercings are acceptable.

• Wear something comfortable and fits well. If you’re uncomfortable with your dress, the interviewer may think you’re uncomfortable with the com-pany.

• Do not wear strong scents. The inter-viewer may have allergies.

• Wear little or no jewelry. Too much jewelry draws attention away from what’s important: you.


Mock (practice) interviews are a great way shake the nervousness of an actual interview and also correct your mistakes ahead of time. So what exactly is a mock interview? Typically, they are 30 minute ses-sions with another person during which you an-swer common interview questions. A professional such as a professor or supervisor can make a great mock interviewer, but you can also practice with a friend or a family member who can be honest with you and remain serious for the exercise. Many college career offices also offer to do mock inter-views with students.

Before the practice session, give your mock in-terviewer a copy of your resumé, cover letter, and job description to read over. While this isn’t a real interview, it’s important to treat it like one. Dress professionally and also greet your “interviewer” with a smile and a hand-shake. Keep your answers concise – if you

talk longer than two or three minutes, you are probably rambling. After the practice in-

terview is over, take some time with your mock interviewer to discuss the strengths and weak-

nesses of your performance. When it comes to exploring your feedback, don’t be defensive! Take

notes that you can review later and thank your mock interviewer for helping you out. When it comes to an actual interview, you’ll be prepared and confident!13

Mock Interviews

A professional such as a professor or supervisor can make a great mock in-terviewer, but you can also practice with a friend or a family member who can be honest with you and remain serious for the exercise.

Quick TipsSo you got the interview, researched the job, and done a mock interview. You might think you’re ready, but are there little things you haven’t con-sidered? Here are a few more tips to make yourself look like an interview pro:• Arrive about 5 minutes early. This will make

you look timely, but won’t pressure an inter-viewer to stop what they are doing to accom-modate you.

• Read the paper. Familiarize yourself with na-tional and international events on the day before and the day of the interview. You don’t want to be caught in the dark if some large na-tional event happened yesterday.

• Be “in it for the long haul.” The only way to an-swer the question, “Where do you see yourself in x number of years?” is that you are “in it for the long haul.” Make sure your the interviewer knows you are committed to the position.

What (Not) to Wear to the Interview

First impressions are crucial when it comes to get-ting a job. It is really important to look the part of someone who could work at that company: you have to look professional. Check the closet for what you already own, then go shopping if what you own is inadequate.

Make Yourself Look Like an Interview Pro



Dressing for an interview as a man is easy; the name of the game is conservative. Oxford cotton button downs or cotton dress shirt in pale blue or white. Wear a suit in gray or navy or a navy blazer; avoid black suits or coats (funeral attire!) and no sport coats as they are more casuwal than blazers. Wear ties in either solid colors or a repeating stripe pattern; it’s not a requirement, but they should generally be light blue or yellow or a combination of the two. Don’t wear any red ties as they are associated with power. Don’t wear a shirt and tie alone; it makes you look like a high schooler at a school dance. Your shoes and belts should always match in this setting; get navy socks with navy suits, black socks for grey suits. Don’t wear anything too formal: avoid French cuffs and the like. Avoid excessive patterning in shirts and ties; only one pattern per outfit is a good rule.

a clean shave and trimmed haircut

a suit in gray or navy

ties in either solid colors or a repeating stripe pattern

belts should always match your shoes

dark polished shoes (preferably black)

a cotton dress shirt in pale blue or white

For women, looking professional for an interview generally means dressing with modesty and class. The first step is to buy the best suit that you can afford. A nice suit is an essential component of an interview outfit. It doesn’t matter if it’s a skirt or a pantsuit; pick whatever you are most comfortable in and what matches you best. Just remember that the skirt must not be any shorter than knee-length, and you should wear a pair of tights or pantyhose underneath, even in the summer. Anything dressy works for tops as long as it isn’t too revealing or tight; avoid anything with plunging necklines, even if you are wearing a blazer or jacket over it. Color is great, but nothing too flashy or bright: you want to stand out from the crowd, but not because you wore a red suit to an interview. Dark and muted colors work best, so choose navy, charcoal, or black, and leave the leopard print behind.

Think comfort when picking out shoes to wear: don’t wear high heels if you can’t walk in them properly and for a long time (imagine a walking tour of the company campus). It’s best to choose heels of moderate height or flats. When it comes to grooming, your natural look is your best; choose earthy make-up colors and don’t wear too much. Your nails must be clipped and your nail polish understated. As for accessories, limit yourself to one or two items, nothing chunky or showy. Remember: modesty and class.14

a natural look: choose earthy makeup colors and don’t wear too much.

heels of moderate height or flats

a suit in dark colors: navy, charcoal, or black

a pantsuit or a skirt no shorter than knee-length

a dressy top

clipped nails with understated polish

Dress Tips for Men Dress Tips for Women


“Behavioral questions will show up in just

about every interview, so you should prepare specific examples and

be ready to discuss your strengths.”


You want to come into the interview with everything that the interviewer will need to see from you. It must be well organized and ready to be handed over at a moment’s notice. You may want to purchase, if you don’t already own it, a small briefcase or a portfolio to put your things into. You don’t want to be holding anything that you can’t put down; remember you will probably have to shake the interviewer’s hand and you don’t want to be juggling ten items trying to do it. One of your hands must be open.

Don’t Bring: friends and family, drinks, or food (a small energy bar in your bag is fine).15

Essential items:• Directions to the interview location• Identification, as building security may ask for it• Three copies (one to give, the others extra copies) of: resume, cover letter, and a printed list of references

with their contact information• Any samples of your work that you might want to show• A list of at least three or four questions that you want to ask the interviewer• A small notepad and pen to take notes• Phone for emergencies, but it must be turned off during the interview• An umbrella if rain is a risk.• Note: Don’t bring friends and family, drinnks, or food (a small energy bar tucked in your bar is fine

At some point in your interview, you are likely to encounter a question or two that you are not sure how to handle. By thinking about some

common types of interview questions, you’ll be bet-ter prepared to think on your feet, spin negatives into positives, and politely deflect awkward or inappropri-ate questions.

“Behavioral” QuestionsWhen potential employers ask behavioral interview questions, they are less interested in “correct” answers than they are in getting a sense of who you are. Behav-ioral interviewing is based on the idea that your past actions can predict your future performance (e.g., if you have shown good time management skills in the past, you will do so in the future).

When an interviewer is assessing you as a candidate for the job, your personality and work habits can be just as important as your GPA or what software you know. A rigid perfectionist who can’t meet deadlines may have trouble in a job where deadlines are firm and delays cost money. Each job is a bit different, of

course, but employers often look for these qualities:• Ability to work well independently and in a team. • Project management or decision-making skills.

Describe projects you’ve worked on that demon-strate your analytical, fact-finding talent and time-management skills.

• Uses effective strategies for handling conflict or disagreement.

• Ability to learn from past mistakes. Describe a mistake or failure that you’ve learned from, such as missing a deadline or completing a task or do-ing poorly on a paper for school. How you handle failure can reveal a great deal about your attitude (do you accept some responsibility, or blame oth-ers?) and potential for growth.

• Self-learning. Show that you are motivated to seek out answers and teach yourself skills on the fly with minimal guidance.

Behavioral questions will show up in just about ever interview, so you should prepare specific examples and be ready to discuss your strengths in areas like those listed above. Here are a few examples of behav-

Interview EssentialsTypes of Interview Questions

In the Interview: Being Prepared and Thinking on Your Feet



ioral questions:• Describe a time when you used your communica-

tion skills to get an important point across.• Describe a job or school experience when you

had to serve as a leader (or work as part of a team) in order to accomplish a goal.

• What did you do in your last job that illustrates your organization and planning abilities? Be spe-cific.

The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is one well-known strategy for structuring your respons-es to behavioral questions.16

Questions for Recent GradsIf you’re a recent college grad, your employer is bound to have questions about your college experience. If your resume isn’t exactly brimming with extracurric-ulars, don’t panic! You can turn what you appear to be lacking into an experience you learned from.

Let’s say you didn’t have time for extracurricular ac-tivities because you worked a part-time job. When an employer asks, you can explain what you would have participated in had you had the time, while acknowl-edging what you did gain from your part-time job folding t-shirts or slicing deli meat. You might respond to this type of question with something like: “I always wished I’d had more time to write for the school news-paper. But I had to work to pay for school and my liv-ing expenses. Juggling my time between work and school did prepare me for the professional workplace though, as I am used to working under the pressure of time constraints and manage my time wisely.”17

Common behavioral questions• Describe your most rewarding college experience.• What was your biggest challenge as a student,

and how did you handle it?• Do you think that your grades are a good indica-

tion of your academic achievement?

Expect questions that are meant to highlight what seems like something you are missing that other can-didates might have.

Illegal or Inappropriate Interview Questions Some questions simply should not be asked during an interview. Inappropriate or illegal questions may involve the candidate’s race, gender, religion, marital status, age, disabilities, ethnic background, country of origin, sexual preferences or age. The top ten illegal in-terview questions are as follows:

• Where were you born?• What is your native language?• Are you married?• Do you have children?• Do you plan to get pregnant?• How old are you?• Do you observe any religious holidays?• Do you have a disability or chronic illness?• Are you in the National Guard?• Do you smoke or use alcohol?

There are several ways to get around these questions while remaining tactful and respectful.

Answer it. If you think the interviewer was simply try-ing to get to know you and naively asked an illegal question, you may want to answer the question if it does not make you too uncomfortable. While the question may be poorly phrased, your answer to it can highlight relevant strengths, strengthening your con-nection with the interviewer. Side-step it. Without being confrontational, question the interviewer’s interest in that information. Ask “Why?” The interviewer is then made to explain the question and its intent.Turn the tables. Rather than pause awkwardly, avoid the question altogether by steering the conversation towards the skills and experiences you feel are more relevant to the job. Respond, “Well, that’s an interest-ing question, but I would rather discuss...”College Experience? Don’t Panic!

There are several different types of interviews you may find yourself facing once an employer sees you as a potential candidate. It’s important to understand what each of these interview formats entail so that you can be prepared.

Phone Interviews: Since your interviewer cannot see you, make sure you have your résumé, cover letter, notes regarding the company you are applying for, and other notes surrounding you so that you have quick reference to all the information you need. Because an interviewer cannot see your body language, it is nec-essary that you sound energetic—standing up during the interview may help with this. Make sure you have a quiet place to talk and a fully charged phone, with a charger on-hand.

Group Interview: The first type of group interview is the candidate group interview. In this type of interview you will listen to information about the company and may be asked questions or to participate in a group exercise alongside other applicants. The second, more common type of group interview is the panel group interview, in which you individually are interviewed by a group or committee of employers. Be prepared to answer questions just like you would in a one-on-one interview.

Individual Interview: This one-on-one, in-person in-terview is the most common type and probably the one you’re most familiar with. Make sure you know ahead of time how long the interview will be so that you know how much to prepare and how much infor-mation to incorporate into your answers.

Second/On-Site Interview: Second interviews are when you’re asked back again. You may have passed through the first round but the company may want to know more about you before making a final decision. You may meet with three to five individuals. These could include a representative from Human Resourc-es, the department head, the office staff, and the de-partment head’s supervisor. After this, if all goes well, an offer is usually made.

Task Oriented/Testing Interview: This is an interview where you are given some task that puts your abili-ties to the test. For example, you might be asked to critique a website, solve a problem, take a writing test, or give a presentation to demonstrate your communi-cation skills.

Stress Interview: You may encounter an interview where the interviewer deliberately creates tension to see how you will respond to stress; however, these are very rare.18

Interview Formats You May Encounter

Chapter 2: Interviews20

Following UpSalary

Good Questions

Chapter 3: After the Interview 21


How would you describe the work environment here?

What excites you most about your job, and what do you like most about

this company?Can you give me some examples of

collaboration and projects?

Who is your competition?How often do reviews occur?Would you like to see my refer-ences?Do I get my own office?Will you monitor my social net-working profiles?

What are the most important things you’d like to see me accomplish in the

first 60 and 90 days of my employment?What opportunities for professional

development do you offer? How does this job position fit into your

organization/company?

At the end of the interview, the interviewer will give you a chance to ask questions. Always prepare for this opportunity. This is not only a chance to learn more about your job position, but also a continuation of your assessment.

Chapter 3: After the InterviewWhat to Ask the Interviewer

Bad Questions19

Good Questions

Chapter 3 After the Interview

Chapter 3: After the InterviewChapter 3: After the Interview22 23

Whether you nailed the interview (great!) or barely got by (not so great), there are two things you can do to solidify your position as

a top candidate, smooth over any faux pas, and prove that you are up to par: thank you notes and follow up emails. Try to make these courtesies a habit, as they communicate not only your gratitude and recognition of others’ time but also your capacity to follow through effectively as a professional.

Thank You NotesYou should send your interviewer a thank you note one to three days after your interview. Opinions vary as to whether you should send an email, a handwritten note, or both, but the most important thing is that you send one. Thank you notes let your interviewer know that you appreciate their time, give you a chance to smooth over any awkward responses you gave during the interview, and further express your enthusiasm about the position.

When composing your note, here are a few things to keep in mind:• Always date the note and use a formal salutation

(e.g. “Dear Ms./Mr./Dr.”)• Begin by thanking the interviewer(s) for their time• Mention part of the interview conversation that

you particularly enjoyed• Give specific examples to express your interest,

but remain concise• Try not to exceed five sentences in the body• End on a positive, forward-looking note (e.g. “I

look forward to hearing from you”)• Sign your full name at the bottom after a closing

salutation (e.g. “Respectfully” or “Regards”)

Following UpAfter sending your thank you note, you should follow up on the position to stay fresh in the hiring manag-er’s mind. Follow up emails should be friendly yet con-cise—remember that you are establishing yourself as a professional connection, not as a chatty wannabeemployee.

If you’ve been interviewed from a large list of potential candidates with a long hiring period, check in with the hiring manager via email once every two weeks. If the hiring window is shorter than a month, you may want to follow up weekly. If you haven’t received any replies after a month, it may be time to move on to the next hunt.

“Opinions vary as to whether you should send an email, a handwritten note, or both, but the most important thing is that you send one. “

Do• Wait for the employer to make an offer• Factor in the benefits package (e.g. health care or

401K)• Negotiate! Present hard evidence for support• Be flexible• End the salary conversation on friendly terms• Respond to an offer in a timely manner

Don’t• Completely rely on online salary sites for sal-

ary ranges• Interrupt your employer during the discussion• Mention personal reasons for why you need a

pay increase• Show disappointment if your desired salary is

denied or renegotiated• Rush your employer to give you a definite an-

swer• Confuse a high salary with higher happiness


Being prepared when a company makes you an offer will help you be compensated for what your skills are worth. There are various things you can do to figure out how much you’re worth, like looking at sal-

ary surveys for that field. Salary calculators are available online for virtu-ally every field, and you can double-check those figures with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (United States Department of Labor). In addition to researching salary ranges in your field, look into the cost of living for where you’ll be hired. Although you may think your salary will let you live comfortably, some places have high rent and fuel costs, which could leave you at a disadvantage.

The following are some Helpful Websites for Researching Salary Ranges: simplyhired.com, salary.com, payscale.com, and indeed.com/salary.

Know how to negotiate Prepared for the interview or meeting where you’ll be discussing salary. Increase your salary expectations slightly in order to leave room for negotiation.20

Following Up After the Interview Salary

References24


1 Huhman, Heather. “3 Elements Of An Online Portfolio That Sells Your Personal Brand.” Personal Branding Blog Dan Schawbel RSS. N.p., 10 Apr. 2012. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

2 Bone, Jelly. “Hongkiat.com.” Hongkiatcom RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

3 Peterson, Erin. “5 Innovative Job Search Strategies.” 5 Inno-vative Job Search Strategies. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

4 Buhl, Larry. “How to Decode Job Posting Lingo.” Career Rookie. N.p., 2011. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. Ruth, Nikki. “ A Guide To Understanding Job Descriptions.” My CV and Me. N.p., 2012. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

5 Sethi, Ramit. “How to Use Natural Networking to Connect with Anyone -- including the Exact Email Scripts.” I Will Teach You To Be Rich RSS. N.p., 08 Jan. 2012. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

6 Green, Alison. “8 Things You Should Know About Job Refer-ences.” US News RSS. N.p., 14 Feb. 2011. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

7 Kennedy, Joyce. Job Interviews for Dummies. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2012. Web.

8 Adams, Susan. “How To Craft A Job Search Elevator Pitch.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 29 Mar. 2012. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

9 “What To Say In An Elevator.” Essortment. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

10 Pagliarini, Robert. “How to Write an Elevator Speech.” How To Write an Elevator Speech. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

11 “Top Interview Questions.” - CareerBuilder.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

12 Mills, Corinne. “10 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions.” Career Advice Article:. The Telegraph, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

13 Martin, Carole. “Email to a Friend.” Practice Your Interview Techniques in a Mock Interview. Monster, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

14 Doyle, Alison. “Interview Outfits for Women: What to Wear to An Interview.” About.com Job Searching. About, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. Doyle, Alison. “Interview Outfits for Men: What to Wear to An Interview.” About.com Job Searching. About, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. Kallor, Amber. “What to Wear to an Interview: The New Rules.” CNN. Cable News Network, 26 July 2012. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

15 Doyle, Alison. “What to Bring to an Interview.” About.com Job Searching. About, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. Rose, Angela. “What to Bring to an Interview.” Hcareers. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

16 Denham, Tom. “50 Behavioral-based Interview Questions You Might Be Asked.” Careers and Worklife. N.p., 12 Apr. 2012. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

17 Fry, Ronald W. 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Inter-view Questions. Franklin Lakes, NJ: Career, 2000. Print.

18 Denham, Tom. “The 8 Major Types of Interviews.” Careers and Worklife. N.p., 18 Dec. 2009. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

19 LearnVest. “10 Job Interview Questions You Should Never Ask.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 03 Oct. 2012. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

20 Trikha, Ritika. “8 Etiquette Tips for Salary Negotiation.” US News RSS. N.p., 5 June 2012. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. Green, Alison. “10 Salary Negotiating Mistakes to Avoid.” US News RSS. N.p., 30 May 2012. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

References

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