Congratulations, you just got a job interview! Now what? It's not time to panic but rather to prepare. See below for several tips/tricks to put your mind at ease about interviewing.
Before the Interview
Make sure you research the company thoroughly to understand its size, location, industry, company values, etc., and the job description details.
Review your resume to make sure you recall what details the interviewers will already have about you and what follow-up questions they might ask.
Take the time to match your specific qualifications to the job description requirements so that you can speak to the specific verbiage used in the description during the interview.
At the Interview
Your image is critical in establishing a positive first impression with the interviewers. Make sure that you dress appropriately in business professional attire.
Make sure to plan to arrive a few minutes early to give yourself a buffer in case there are difficulties finding where you are supposed to be and to provide yourself with time to center yourself and calm your nerves.
Don’t bring snacks, drinks, or chewing gum with you.
Be ready for small talk at the beginning of the interview and know that the first question tends to be “tell me about yourself” where you can give a slightly extended version of your elevator pitch (LINK to elevator pitch article).
Responding to Interview Questions
When you respond to interview questions, listen carefully to the questions, take time to phrase your responses, and ask the interviewer to repeat the question if you're not sure what they are asking.
Be brief and don't ramble when you respond. However, do be sure that your responses answer the questions, are focused, and highlight the skills you have that are relevant to the job.
Keep in mind that your responses are your sales pitch. You're selling the interviewer on yourself, as the best candidate for the job, so be sure you focus on your relevancy i.e. why you are a good candidate, how you can do the job, what you can contribute, and how you will benefit the company if you're hired.
Ending an Interview/Post Interview
Interviews tend to end with the interviewer(s) asking you if you have any questions for them. Come prepared with a list of well-researched questions to ask that will help you assess if the company is a good fit for you. Some examples include: “What does a typical day or week look like in this role?” “What are the biggest challenges that someone in this role would face?” “What does your onboarding process look like?” “What is your favorite part about working here?” “What direction do you see the company heading in over the next several years?”
Make sure to thank the interviewer and emphasize that you see this position being a great fit for your skill set (with a few well-placed details as to why) and that you appreciate their time.
If they don’t initiate it, make sure to ask about the timeline/what next steps look like in the hiring process.
Send a thank you note to each interviewer after the interview. In addition to saying thank you, refer to anything the interviewer mentioned that enhanced your interest and summarize why you think the job is a good match and why you're a strong candidate for the job.
Interview Question Examples
Tell me a little about yourself. (elevator-pitch)
Our workplace thrives on diversity and we strive to foster an inclusive environment. What unique aspects of your life and experiences will support this mission and what will you do to foster this inclusive environment?
Do you prefer to work alone or on a team?
What experiences have you had in a laboratory (or research) setting? Describe both your role and the outcome of your work.
What has been your proudest academic or technical achievement and what do you think was the most important factor in your success?
Why did you choose your major? How has it prepared you for your career goals?
Describe to me a time you struggled in the lab or in your coursework. What did you do to overcome this struggle?
Tell me about a significant challenge you’ve faced and what you did to resolve that situation.
Tell me about an experience you’ve had working on a team. What role do you tend to play when working on a team?
What do you consider to be your strengths and shortcomings/weaknesses?
Give me an example of how you set goals and work towards them.
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