Interviews

Step 1: Interview confirmation

When does your interview start? It starts with the first contact, which is often an email or a phone call to arrange an interview time.

• When you are applying for positions, remember that any calls you receive could be a potential employer.
• Answer calls professionally; be clear and concise.
• Have a pen and paper to write notes and reminders.
• Be in a quiet space without any noise or distractions in the background. If you are not in a place to start an interview discussion, it is more appropriate to let a call go to voice mail, then follow up at your earliest opportunity.
• Before accepting the interview and hanging up, always confirm:

• If the interview will be a panel, group, one-on-one, or skills assessment format
• Confirm names and the positions of the interviewers
• Confirm the location of your interview (the address if it is in-person, phone number, or whom you will receive a Zoom or Microsoft Teams link from)
• If you are in a different time zone, confirm interview time in both your own time zone and the company’s (e.g., 1 p.m. EST / 10 a.m. PST)

Step 2: Thorough research

Although you will have conducted cursory research before applying to the company, conducting a more thorough analysis and reviewing your initial notes will reduce both nervousness and uncertainty, while also helping you to begin targeting your answers to potential interview questions. Research also increases your confidence, which will shine through to the employer.

What should you Research?

• Company initiatives, products, demographic, services
• The company’s structure, culture, vision and mission
• Key people in the organization (CEO, manager, employees in the department)
• Members of the interview panel

Step 3: Interview preparedness

In the days leading up to your interview, think through what to expect on the interview day and what you should do to arrive to your interview feeling your best. 

• Do you know someone in the company that you can outreach to? A 15 informational interview with specific questions will provide you with great insights to prepare for your interview.
• Have you outreached to your references to share the exciting news? Do they have a copy of the job description and your application package?
• Do you know exactly where your interview is and where you will park? Do you have the correct technology for a virtual interview?
• What will you wear? Is it appropriate for the job you are interviewing for?
• Do you have your resume package easily accessible or printed to have with you?

Step 4: Interview follow-up

Always follow-up within 24 hours of the interview with a thank you note and expression of interest for the position. Take this opportunity to provide answers to questions you may not have fully answered, to follow-up with specific details as you committed to in your interview, or to offer a sincere expression or gratitude for the opportunity to learn more about the opportunity.

Pre-interview

Always arrive to your interview 5-10 minutes before the established time: if you arrive at the doors earlier than 10 minutes, consider a short walk up the block and back. Your interview will begin the moment you meet anyone who may recognize you as part of the interview process, this could be the receptionist at the front desk or, unbeknownst to you, bumping into an interviewer in the elevator.

Once in the interview, acknowledge each interviewer as they are introduced to you, and take notes to remember their name and title.

These small steps will help you to respond to interview questions with intentional and articulate responses:

• Be prepared to take notes
• Don’t assume you know what the question is, but listen to what is being asked for
• Take a moment to think about each question before answering
• Ask for clarification of any unclear questions
• If you’re uncertain if you have answered a question properly, consider asking, “Did I answer your question thoroughly?”
• Body language speaks a thousand words: smile, be enthusiastic and positive, and maintain eye contact

Interview questions

Interview questions can be explored by categorizing the questions into four types:

1. General

These questions are very broad and are often used to open an interview: “Why do you want to work here?”  “What do you do to de-stress or relax after a long day?” or “What interests you about this job?”

Although these seem easy, when compared to other forms of interview questions, think of these as the foundation of your interview.  Will your answer provide additional insights into your skills, interests, and background?  How does your answer help you to stand out from the next candidate’s answer?

2. Technical

These are sometimes referred to as credential verification or specialization questions and specifically target your credentials and skills.  The good news is: if you were asked for an interview, you have the technical skills. Now you have to express your confidence in your skills by articulating them to your interviewers. 

3. Situational and Behavioural

These types of questions stem from the assumption that your past behaviours are the best predictor of your future behaviours.  You can easily identify these questions by the question start, with phrases such as: “Tell me about a time when you…”, “What do you do when...”, “What would you do if …” How would you handle …”?

Although these may question seem hard to answer, using the STAR approach to answering offers a systematic approach. 

• Situation: In a short and succinct account, describe the context of the situation or context of the challenge or work environment.
• Task: Define your duties and responsibilities within this situation.
• Action: Outline our actions to meet your Task.
• Result: Describe the final outcome and outcomes of your experience.

4. Open-ended

These more-traditional interview questions typically require deeper reflection that unveil your attitudes or opinions, and  often will start “Tell me about your relationship with your supervisor?”, Why did you choose this industry?”, “How do you see your future?” and “Where do you see yourself in five (10, 15, 20…) years?”.

These questions may involve a case scenario where they are looking for a response describing your reaction, thought process, how you resolve a real-life scenario, and how you may react in the future.

Closing the interview

Interviewers will often ask if you have any questions for them. This is a good time to ask any questions having two questions prepared ahead of time is a great way to show further interest in the position. Some questions you might ask are:

• How do you see my skills and abilities aligning with your needs?
• What is the key objective you have for this position?
• How would you see me making an immediate positive first impression and impact?
• What is the process from here?
• When do you expect to be making your decision?
• May I contact you in a week if I have not heard from you?

Remember to say thank you at the end of the interview and extend a strong handshake or if virtual, make eye contact to reaffirm your professionalism.

Virtual interviews tips

Virtual interviews can take place by phone or using a technology platform such as Zoom. The process of virtual interviewing is very similar to traditional face-to-face interviewing, with very important considerations to ensure you are prepared to present your most professional self:

1 Hardware: Does your camera and microphone work properly? Is there any background noise that would require you to wear a headset? Is your computer camera positioned in a way that you are both comfortable and your image is projected professionally?  What is behind you on the camera? Do you need to set a personal Zoom filter?

2. Software: What platform will your interview take place on? If you have not used the platform, can you practice?

3. Professional Image: Your appearance and attentiveness is as equally important in a virtual meeting as in-person. Check what is behind you, do you need to set a virtual background or change your seating? Are you wearing appropriate interview attire? What are you communicating with your body language, voice articulation, and facial expression?