Being offered an interview means the employer believes you are a strong candidate. Now, they want to explore your experience more deeply and assess whether you’re a strong match for the role and the organization. Fit includes everything from your professional demeanor and communication style to how well your values and experiences align with the organization’s mission.

In any interview, you have three primary goals:

1. Assess whether the organization is a good fit for you.
   (This is a two-way street—make sure the role and culture align with your goals and values.)
2. Demonstrate that you are qualified for the position.
   (Be ready to clearly explain your relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments.)
3. Show that you understand the position and the organization.
   (Demonstrate that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested.)

Preparing for the Interview

Review Your Experience

Spend time reflecting on your accomplishments and skills. Start by reviewing the job description and identifying the key skills and qualifications. Then, brainstorm specific examples from your experience that demonstrate those skills.

Interviewing is all about storytelling. Prepare short, impactful stories that highlight your strengths. Use the STARR method to structure your responses:

• S – Situation: Set the scene. What was the context?
• T – Task: What challenge or goal were you facing?
• A – Action: What specific steps did you take? (Focus on your individual contributions.)
• R – Result: What was the outcome? (Quantify results when possible.)
• R – Relate: How does this experience connect to the role you’re applying for?

🟢 Tip: Keep a few versatile stories ready that can be adapted to different questions.

Prepare for Common Interview Questions

1. 1. Tell me about yourself.
      This is often the first question. Keep your answer professional and focused. Highlight your academic background, relevant experiences, and what led you to this opportunity.
      🟢 Avoid personal details or pre-college stories unless they directly relate to your career path.
   2. What is your greatest strength?
      Choose a strength that aligns with the job description. Back it up with a specific example that shows how you’ve applied this strength in a real-world setting.
   3. What is your greatest weakness?
      Be honest, but strategic. Choose a non-critical skill and explain how you’re actively working to improve it.
      Example: “I wasn’t confident using data visualization tools, so I enrolled in a free online course and now use them regularly in my projects.”

   🟢 Avoid clichés like “I’m a perfectionist” or personality traits that are hard to change.

Research the Organization and Role

Doing your homework shows commitment. Here are some things worth learning about:

• The organization’s mission, values, and history
• Key services or programs
• Current trends or challenges in the industry
• The organization’s culture and structure
• Salary expectations for similar roles
• Competitors and future direction

🟢 Use the organization’s website, LinkedIn, recent news articles, and informational interviews to gather insights.

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. This shows engagement and helps you assess fit.
🟢 Examples: “How does this role contribute to the organization’s mission?” or “What does success look like in the first 6 months?”

Practice, Practice, Practice

Knowing what you want to say is different from saying it clearly under pressure. Practice helps you:

• Refine your answers
• Eliminate filler words
• Build confidence

Options for practice:

• Schedule a mock interview with a career advisor
• Use tools like the VR lab
• Practice with a friend or mentor

🟢 Record yourself to evaluate tone, pacing, and clarity.

During the Interview

Know the Logistics

Learn as much as you can about the interview details in advance. Confirm the interview location, time, and format (e.g., virtual, in-person, phone). If it’s in person, consider doing a practice run to avoid delays on the day of the interview.

Know:

• The interview format (e.g., one-on-one, panel, group)
• The names and roles of your interviewers (if provided)
• The exact job title you’re interviewing for

Arrive 10–15 minutes early and bring:

• Several copies of your tailored résumé (on quality paper if in person)
• A list of references
• Transcripts (if requested)
• A professional portfolio (if applicable)

Dress Professionally

Choose attire that is conservative, clean, and appropriate for the organization’s culture .A well-fitted suit in a neutral color is a safe and professional choice.
🟢 Refer to the “Attire” handout for more detailed guidance.

Nonverbal Communication Matters

• Greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and a genuine smile
• Maintain appropriate eye contact (without staring)
• Sit up straight and lean in slightly to show engagement
• Avoid fidgeting or excessive hand gestures
• Smile and show enthusiasm throughout the conversation

Follow Professional Etiquette

• Begin and end the interview with a firm handshake and a thank you
• If the interview includes a meal, follow the host’s lead and use proper dining etiquette

Listen Actively

• Answer the question that is asked—don’t go off-topic
• If you need clarification, ask the interviewer to repeat or rephrase the question
• It’s okay to pause briefly to collect your thoughts
• Remember: an interview is a conversation, not a performance

Communicate Clearly

• Avoid filler words like “uh,” “like,” “you know”
• Avoid using jargon or acronyms unless you’re sure the interviewer understands them
  (e.g., spell out “Fairbanks School of Public Health” instead of saying “FSPH”)

Be Authentic

• Answer questions honestly and thoughtfully
• Don’t try to be who you think they want—just be your professional self

After the Interview

Reflect on the Experience

Take a few minutes to jot down:

• What went well?
• What could have gone better?
• Any difficult or unexpected questions?
• Memorable moments or connections with interviewers?

🟢 These notes will help you improve for future interviews and personalize your thank-you notes.

Send Thank-You Notes

• Send a thank-you note to each interviewer within 24 hours
• Email is acceptable, but handwritten notes can leave a stronger impression
• Double-check spelling of names and titles
• Add a personal touch (e.g., “I enjoyed our conversation about [shared interest]”)

Communicate Professionally

If you decide to withdraw from consideration or accept another offer:

• Notify the employer promptly
• Send a brief, polite email thanking them for their time and explaining your decision

Common Interview Questions

• Tell me about yourself
• What are your long-term and short-term goals?
• What are your greatest strengths?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• How do you define success?
• What is your greatest accomplishment?
• What three adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
• What do you know about our organization?
• What are your salary expectations?
• Why are you interested in this position?
• What led you to pursue a career in [field]?
• What trends are shaping this industry?
• How do you define a productive work environment?
• How have your past experiences prepared you for this role?
• Why should we choose you over other candidates?
• Do your grades reflect your abilities?
• Describe your ideal supervisor

Behavioral Questions

Use the STARR method to answer these:

• Tell me about a time you worked with a difficult person
• Describe a situation where you failed to meet a goal
• Tell me about a time you worked under pressure
• Describe a time you used communication skills to complete a task
• Tell me about a time you worked on a team—what was your role?
• Describe a time you made a mistake
• Tell me about a time you disagreed with a policy or rule

Stress Questions

These are designed to test your composure:

• Can you work overtime? Travel? Host events?
• Have you done your best work so far?
• How do you think this interview is going?
• How long would you stay in this role?

Off-the-Wall Questions

These test creativity and personality:

• What song best describes your personality?
• How many dogs are there in the U.S.?
• What’s a recent book or movie that impacted you?
• If you could meet one person (dead or alive), who would it be and why?

Questions to Ask Employers

• What are your organization’s top priorities right now?
• What attracted you to work here?
• What does a typical day in this role look like?
• How is performance measured and by whom?
• What professional development opportunities are available?
• What are the biggest challenges in this role?
• What qualities do you value most in employees?
• How would you describe the company culture?
• What are your growth plans for the next few years?
• What sets your organization apart from competitors?
• What are the next steps in the hiring process?
• What’s the timeline for filling this position?

Illegal Interview Questions (U.S.)

In the United States, employers cannot legally ask about:

• Age
• Marital or family status
• National origin or citizenship
• Sexual orientation
• Disabilities (unless directly related to job duties)
• Personal characteristics (e.g., height, weight)
• Arrest record (unless job-related)
• Club or social affiliations unrelated to the job

If you’re asked an illegal question, you have three options:

✅ 1. Answer It

You may choose to answer the question, but understand that by doing so, you’re allowing the employer to consider that information in their decision-making process.

Example:
Q: “Do you have children?”
A: “Yes, I do.”

🚫 2. Decline Respectfully

You can politely decline to answer, especially if you feel the question is inappropriate or irrelevant.

Example:
“I’m not comfortable answering that question.”
“I don’t see how that relates to the responsibilities of this position.”
“I believe that’s a question I’m not required to answer.”

🔄 3. Deflect

You can acknowledge the question while steering the conversation back to your qualifications.

Example:
“I’m happy to share that—could you let me know how it relates to this position?”
“That’s an interesting question. I’d love to focus on how my skills and experience align with the role.”

🟢 Tip for Students: Practice these responses in advance so you feel confident handling unexpected or inappropriate questions professionally.

A Note About Social Media

If your social media profiles are public, you may unintentionally reveal personal information (e.g., marital status, affiliations) that could influence hiring decisions. Make your accounts private and ensure your online presence reflects your professionalism.