National American University Online Library: Interview

A first impression is a lasting impression and it's imperative that you dress the part.  Follow the tips below: 

• Prepare: do not wait until the day of the interview to pick out your professional wardrobe. At the very least, try on your outfit the day before to be sure you're comfortable. Your clothing should be wrinkle-free in order to project professionalism. 
• Keep It Simple and Professional: stick to neutral colors or professional black. Avoid bright colors. 

Remember that your responses to interview questions can be derived from the content shared in your resume and cover letter. It's YOUR experience-- take the time to study your documents and determine what experiences you most want to share as they highlight your strongest skills and accomplishments. Practice your responses until your description and transitions between points feel comfortable but not memorized. 

Want to practice your interviewing skills at home? Ask a family or friend to conduct a Mock Interview! Send them the Common Interview Questions link above and ask them to choose several questions to ask you. (Don't ask them which questions they plan to ask; instead, prepare yourself to answer them and then practice.)

Most likely, you will be asked behavior-based questions during the interview process.  These types of questions often start with: "Tell me about an experience when..." or "Has there been a time when...".  These open-ended questions give you an opportunity to explain your experience and they're asked to determine how you've behaved and what you've accomplished in the past.  Employers ask these questions as past action is typically a predictor of future action and how you will perform in the new job role. 

Use the S.T.A.R. method to craft your response:

• Situation: Think of a previous work situation that resulted in a positive outcome.
• Task: Share the tasks and goals that you were attempting to accomplish or DID accomplish. 
• Action: Be very specific and include details that identify your skills and steps taken to achieve results.
• Results: Share how your actions positively impacted the overall results. What was accomplished?

Interviews usually conclude with the interviewer asking if you have any questions. It's very important that you have these questions prepared and don't skip this step. By having questions prepared, you're showing your enthusiasm for the position, your time spent researching the company, you're showing what values and employment environment traits are important to you.  Just as they're interviewing YOU, you are also interviewing THEM to be sure the employer and work environment is a good fit.