Tips To Help You Suit Up For Your Next Interview

Suit up—it’s interview time! We’ve got the tools to help you make a strong first impression. And avoid any missteps.

Your Interview Questions, Answered.

Q: How Long Are Average Interviews?

A: Most interviews run from 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Q: What Should I Wear?

A: Smart casual attire

  • Neutral/mild-patterned button-down shirt or blouse
  • Neutral colored chinos or pants (no jeans!)

• Casual leather or suede shoes or casual heels/ballet flats (skip the sneakers!

Q: How Do I Stand Out?

A: Lots of ways!

  • Bring 2+ copies of your resume to the interview
  • Take notes during the interview
  • Prepare questions to ask the hiring manager
  • Arrive 10-15 minutes early
  • Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake
  • Maintain good eye contact/posture
  • Make sure you are energetic and enthusiastic • Be friendly and professional
  • Speak clearly and use specific examples when answering questions
  • Collect your thoughts before answering a question
  • Stay on topic
  • Review the job description before the interview
  • Thank the interviewers!
  • Smile!

Q: What Typical Questions Do Interviewers Ask?

A: General and behavior-based


GENERAL:

  • Tell me about yourself”
  • Provide a brief statement of your professional status, your career objective, and some detail about your progression to this point, and the strengths/skills you can offer them.
  • What are three things you are looking for in a new position?
  • What attracted you to our [the] company?
  • What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
  • Why should we hire you?

BEHAVIOR-BASED QUESTIONS:

  • STAR (situation, task, action, results)
  • Tell me about a time you were in a difficult situation: what was it, and how did you handle it?
  • Can you describe the most valuable criticism you have received and what you did with it?
  • Can you tell me about an event that really challenged you?
  • Can you give me an example of a project that required attention to detail and how you handled the details?

Q: What Questions Should I Ask The Hiring Manager/Employer?

A:

  • What kind of training will I receive?
  • What type of advancement opportunities are available within your organization?
  • What are some of the challenges this role will face?
  • Why do you enjoy working here?
  • What is your timetable for the remainder of the hiring process?
  • What are the next steps in the process?

Q: Where Do Candidates Go Wrong?

A:

  • Poor handshake (limp hand, tips of fingers, arm pump)
  • Talking too much (talking too long, but not answering direct questions, nervous talking)
  • Talking negatively about current or past teams, coworkers, employers/managers
  • Showing up late or way too early
  • Asking about benefits, vacation time, or salary in an initial interview
  • Treating the receptionist rudely
  • Not preparing for the interview
  • Verbal tics (umm, like, you know)
  • Not enough/too much eye contact
  • Failure to match communication styles (e.g., too informal, too businesslike)
  • Not thanking the interviewer and/ or not sending a follow-up “thank you” email/note
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