Indianapolis campus

Preparing for your interview

Your preparation before the interview is almost as important as the interview itself. Your potential employer notices when you have spent time researching and preparing for your interview. Be sure to do your research.

Review the job description. Make sure you understand the job and how you fit the role. Job descriptions offer clues about topics you may be asked to address in your interview.
Research the company. Review their website, mission, vision, values, updates and any recent news.
Prepare at least five questions to ask during your interview using your research and the job description.

Interview prep prompts

Tell me about yourself.
Why are you interested in this position?
What is your greatest strength and/or weakness?
Why do you want to work here?
Why should I hire you?
What are your short- and long-term goals?

“Tell me about yourself.”
Intent: Short summary of your professional self – not your life history!

Summarize your career or academic history.
Use your value proposition statement and share your professional story.
Offer one sentence on what you’d like to do next in your career.

“What is your greatest weakness?”
Intent: Can you think critically about your professional skills?

Choose a weakness that is not vital to the position, which you are actively working to improve.
Don’t be cliché, i.e., “I’m a perfectionist.”
Present a plan to improve the weakness and confirm it will not limit your performance.

Send a thank-you email to your interviewer at least 24 hours after your interview. Reference any topics from your interview, but be brief in length.

Behavior-based interview questions are used to determine how your past performance could demonstrate your future potential. Think ahead about these questions.

Think of examples of your skills from a job, organization or volunteer activity.
When you share your example, use the STAR Method.

Situation: Set the stage for an example you plan to share by providing enough contextual details to tell the story.
Task: What was the task at hand? What exactly was the project, problem or need?
Action: What action did you take?
Results: What was the result of your actions?

Examples of Behavior-Based Interview Questions

“Tell me about a conflict you’ve faced when working on a team. How did you handle it?”
“Give me an example of a time you saw a need in a workplace. What did you do to resolve it?”
“Describe a failed project you have been involved with and explain why it was not successful.”

Interview Styles and Tips
Interview Styles	Tips
Screening/First Round Conducted by an HR recruiter and short: 20-30 minutes. Intent: Do you meet the minimum qualifications?	Present how your skills, abilities and experiences meet the company’s needs.
Panel Conducted with three or more people with area expertise knowledge similar to yours. Intent: To learn more about your area of interest.	Direct answers to the person asking the question, but maintain eye contact with other members.
One-on-One Conducted with one person. Intent: To assess your skills, knowledge and abilities related to the job.	Sell key strengths and inquire about challenges. Suggest skills you bring to help resolve issues.
Peer Group Conducted with your potential co-workers. Intent: To learn more about your ability to work with co-workers or a team.	Focus on being approachable rather than someone with all the answers.
Luncheon Conducted in a restaurant with a potential supervisor, HR recruiter and co-workers. Intent: To assess how you handle yourself in social situations.	Choose an easy-to-eat, moderately-priced meal. When in doubt, ask for a recommendation from the employer.
Second Round Similar to a first-round interview, but longer and involving more people with a combination of interview types. Intent: To ensure you have the necessary skills for the job and you will blend well with the company culture.	Focus on selling yourself as a well-balanced package. Listen to concerns carefully and dispel them.

Interview formats

Phone Interview

Ensure your phone connection is stable, and keep noises to a minimum.
Keep your résumé and company research notes close at hand as a reference.

Video Interview

Test your video software. You may interview with a live person or submit recorded answers to questions.
Ensure your environment is clean and distraction free: no pets, roommates or untidy piles.

In-Person Interview

You may meet with one person or panels of people with varying levels of vested interest in the hiring process.

Need help preparing for your interview?

Make an appointment with Kelley Indianapolis Career Services to discuss interview strategies or complete a mock interview.

Schedule an appointment in Handshake

Meet with us

Preparing for your interview

Interview prep prompts

Practice responding (out loud!) to common interview questions.

Strategies for Answering Common Questions

Be sure to follow up.

Interview Questions about Your Behavior

Examples of Behavior-Based Interview Questions

Interview formats

Need help preparing for your interview?

Schedule an appointment in Handshake

Contact KelleyCareers

Social media