Mastering the Art of the Interview

Career Services Offers Tips for Students Seeking Jobs

Practicing for Success

How can you walk into a job interview feeling confident, and leave feeling successful the interview went well? Practice for success and take advantage of the free services and workshops offered at Career Services.

Learn to put your best foot forward by attending a Mock Interview or Interviewing to Win workshop, and be sure to visit Perfect Interview™, one of three new online resources now being offered through Career Services.

Common Job-Interview Questions

Career Services has provided a list of common job-interview questions asked by recruiters from all career fields. By familiarizing yourself with the following questions and practicing your answers out loud, you’ll be able to walk into your next job interview more collected and confidant.

1. What caused you to select (fill in the blank) as a career?

Give a specific example of what you like about this career, or what you hope to accomplish by being a (fill in the blank). If a particular person or experience inspired you to go into your career field, briefly talk about that inspiration.

2. Tell me about yourself.

Prepare a 30-second mini speech that outlines your proudest accomplishments, skill sets, some of your goals, and what you strive to become professionally. Practice your self-introduction out loud (in front of a friend always helps) until you feel confident of what you plan to say during the interview.

3. Give me an example that shows you have strong client-relations skills?

This question informs recruiters about your interpersonal communication skills, your ability to remain tactful and courteous, your level of professionalism, and how you will represent the company when interacting with clients.

4. Have you ever had to make an unpopular or difficult decision?  What was the situation?  Who did it affect?  What were the results?

Sometimes the right decision or action isn’t the popular choice. This question tells recruiters about your decision-making capabilities, how you handle stress on the job, and your ability to stay firm on a decision in the midst of peer pressure.

5. What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses as an employee?

It’s easy to talk about our strengths, but how do we positively talk about our weaknesses? Acknowledge your weaker areas, and talk about the efforts you’re making (or plan to make) to overcome them.

6. Do you have any questions for me?

You bet you’ll have questions! Recruiters expect job candidates to ask informed questions about the company and the position. Research the company -- the Career Resource Room and the new online resource, Vault, is a great place to find information on specific employers -- and have a few questions ready of your own to ask.

Visit the Career Services Web site or call (619) 594-6851, for more information and a complete listing of services.

Last Career Fairs and Workshops of the Semester

Remaining Career Fairs

Thursday 4/5: Education/Teacher Career Fair, 11 am – 4 pm, Montezuma Hall

Thursday 4/26: “Just In Time” Career Fair, 10 am – 2:30 pm, Centennial Walkway

Remaining Workshops

Monday 4/2: “Résumé Writing,” 9 am

Tuesday 4/3: “Business Etiquette,” 9 am

Tuesday 4/3: “Getting the Most Out of a Career Fair,” 1 pm

Wednesday 4/4: “Interviewing to Win,” 9 am

Wednesday 4/4 & Friday 4/6: “Need a Major?” (two-part workshop) 2 pm*

Monday 4/9: “Connect to Success,” 1 pm

Wednesday 4/11 & Friday 4/13: “Need a Major?” (two-part workshop) 2 pm*

Wednesday 4/18 & Friday 4/20: “Need a Major?” (two-part workshop) 2 pm*

Thursday 4/19: “Job Search Strategies,” 9 am

Monday 4/23: “Getting the Most Out of a Career Fair,” 1 pm

Tuesday 4/24: “Mock Interviews,” 9 am*

Tuesday 4/24: “Résumé Writing,” 1 pm

Wednesday 4/25: “Interviewing to Win,” 9 am

Wednesday 4/25: “Business Etiquette,” 1 pm

*Space is limited and/or registration is required. Register in advance by visiting the Career Services front desk or by calling (619) 594-6851.

All workshops are held in Career Services, located in the Student Services East building, room 1200.