Interview Tips

 

General Pre-interview

  • Do some background research & gather information about the organization.
  • Know the first and the last name of the person(s) who will be conducting the interview.
  • Know exactly where the interview will take place and how long it will take to get there. Plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early. Don't be late!
  • Clear your schedule so that you don't have to limit the time for the interview.
  • Decide at least the night before what to wear to the interview. Aim to look professional and well groomed.
  • Get a good night's sleep before the interview.

Preparation

  • Prepare some answers to common interview questions
  • Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer
  • Bring a copy of your resumé, a list of three references
  • A paper and pen, for notes
  • Make an appointment for a mock interview at Career Development
  • Conduct an informal interview with someone in a similar field

The Interview

  • Greet the interviewer with a smile and firmly shake his/her hand. Sit where indicated to do so.
  • Maintain positive body language e.g. maintain eye contact and don't slouch or cross your arms.
  • Be yourself! Don't use words that you don't understand or pretend to be something you are not.
  • Stay on topic and ask for clarification where necessary and when appropriate.
  • Answer each question clearly. Use specific examples rather than general statements when providing information about education, skills, and work experience.
  • Ask questions from your prepared list that may have not already been answered.
  • Confirm, if already noted, their response date.
  • Shake hands and express your thanks for the interview before leaving.

Follow-up

  • Immediately after the interview, write down your thoughts on what types of questions you were asked and how you responded. Keep these notes as a guide for future interviews.
  • Send a brief Follow-up/Thank-you letter 24-48 hours after the interview.

 

Acing your Interview

Common Interview Questions

Informational Interviews

 

Mock Interviews

If you're looking to practice applying the above tips, make use of your free access to InStage.io, an AI-powered platform developed to help users prepare for interviews, presentations, and resume/cover letter development! Through the platform, you can practice answering interview questions and receive personalized feedback for given responses. 

Register for an account using your MUN email address and get started today!