Interview Tips

Brought to you by PWBS

Available Resources

 Career Services   Schedule Mock Interviews  ½ Hour and 1 Hour Interviews  HPAB Interviews Tips on Website: http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/underg rad/interviewing.html

Frequently Asked Questions

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Describe yourself in 3 adjectives.

How would your friends describe you?

Where do you see yourself in five years?

What is your greatest asset?

How would you handle an irate client if the complaint were against the organization's policy?

Describe a situation when you had to learn a large amount of material quickly. How did you do it?

Why are you interested in this field of work?

How do you relieve stress?

Tell me about your experience on a part-time job.

Of what accomplishment are you most proud?

What do you think is the most important/difficult ethical dilemma facing our industry today?

How do you get people to do things they don't like to do?

What do you like to do for fun?

Activity

 Turn to your neighbor and ask the following questions: 

Where do you see yourself in five years?



Of what accomplishment are you most proud?

Difficult Interview Questions

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I see you received a very low grade in X. Why?

Where do you think employment with this company will take you five years from now?

You strike me as graduate school material. Why are you applying for jobs?

What is one of your weaknesses? What major problem have you encountered and how did you handle it?

What have you learned from your mistakes?

Describe a group work situation where you and your partner were having trouble getting along with each other. How did you resolve the problem?

Describe a situation when you were faced with a deadline that you couldn't meet. How did you handle it?

What is the one question you don’t want us to ask you?

Give me an example of how you are a risk taker.

Tell me something that is not on your resume.

How much do you think you will be earning in ten years?

Give me an example of a time your ethics were tested and how you responded and reacted.

Activity

 Turn to your neighbor and ask the following questions: 

Tell me about a time when you failed at something.



You work in a library, and a book has been misshelved. How do you find it?

Attire

 When in doubt, be more formal.

Suit Shirt or Blouse Women

•Solid/pinstripe/glen plaid suit in black/navy/gray (skirtsuit or pantsuit) •Separate blazer/pants/skirt combo •White or pastel blouse Silk or Cotton material

Accessories

•Shoes – Dark leather pumps are ideal; Open toed shoes/Sandals are not appropriate!

•Jewelry – Subtle and minimal •Bag – Briefcase or a tote. NOT a bookbag

Grooming

•Hair – Well groomed hairstyle •Nails – Conservative color polish •Perfume - Minimal

Follow Up

 Send a thank you letter within 48 hours!  State specific things you discussed during the interview  Email notes are acceptable as well, and are frequently preferred by recruiters who are on the road

Employers on Why Interviews Don’t Go Well

 The student didn’t really know why s/he applied for the position and how it fits into her/his career path.

Think through this beforehand and be able to articulate it.

 The student is confused about what the organization does.

Be sure to take the time to learn what they do and be able to discuss it.

 The student is not enthusiastic.

It’s OK to smile and be excited! You set the tone for the interview, so demonstrate your enthusiasm!

Overheard on Locust: Firsthand Advice from the Pros

 Go in thinking ‘I’m the shit’.

 Do your research  Take a few seconds to gather your thoughts before answering a tough question  Rehearse with a friend  Thank your interviewer and receptionist on your way out