Preparing

View our online interviewing workshop at http://www.stpaulcareers.umn.edu/workshops.html.

The value of preparing for your interview cannot be overemphasized.  Interviewing is a skill that takes practice and students who take this preparation seriously are often most successful in securing top internships and jobs.  There are several things that you should do to prepare for a job or internship interview:

• Develop a list of questions you anticipate will be asked based on the position description (i.e. if the job mentions team work numerous times, they are likely to ask a question about team work.)

• Brainstorm a list of key experiences and accomplishments that you would like to share in the interview.  Decide how they might fit into anticipated questions.

• Outline your skills and be prepared to give a strong concrete example of how you have used these skills in the past.

• Practice your responses to interview questions out loud – don’t simply rehearse in your head.

• Research the company extensively, employers often ask what you know about their organization.

• Decide what to wear based on what you know about the organization.  Typically we recommend dressing one step above what is typical in that company.  Check out Dress for Success Men and Dress for Success Women in 198 McNeal Hall for more details.

• Consider creating a professional portfolio for the interview – this is appropriate for all majors, not just those in design fields.

• Schedule a mock or practice interview with a Career Professional at the St. Paul Campus Career Center – this is strongly recommended!  Call 612-624-2710 to schedule a mock interview.