Texas Tech University

Interviews

How to Prepare

While you cannot anticipate every question, you can prepare yourself to make the most of whatever you are asked. Know yourself, the organization, the industry, and what to ask.

Download the complete Interview Prep guide

Nonverbal Communication

This can give as much information, if not more, than your words. Be conscious of slouching back in a chair (boredom?), twiddling your thumbs (nervousness?), and crossing your arms (hostility?). If you are asked a particularly tough question, maintain your composure and take extra time to think before replying. Be sure to maintain good eye contact, which conveys confidence and honesty. During the interview, be sure to listen carefully to the interviewer and answer the question that is asked. Don't be afraid to ask for an explanation if you don't understand the question. It is fine to take a few moments to think before answering difficult questions, so don't rush into your answer until you are ready (silence during an interview is perfectly acceptable, even if it is slightly uncomfortable).

STAR Interview Method

You will almost always have an interview that revolves heavily around questions regarding a specific example of a past experience which they can use as a predictor for your future behavior. In answering these questions, be certain to describe a SPECIFIC example. After setting the context, describe your role, contribution to, or influence on that situation. Finally, always provide a statement describing the outcome of your efforts.

Download the complete STAR Method guide

Interview Tips

Ideally, the interview is a mutually informative dialogue where an employer learns about a candidate and vice versa.

The candidate uses the interview as an opportunity to share information about her/his background and qualifications, to express interest in the hiring organization, and to pose questions to the interviewer.

The employer uses the conversation to promote the hiring organization and to determine if a good match exists between the candidate and the position.

While this exchange of information is an integral aspect of the conversation, the “fit” between you and the interviewer(s) — how natural the conversation is, how much you enjoy one another's company, how confident and positive you seem, and how interested they are in being stranded at an airport with you for 5 hours — can be just as important.

The more interest, enthusiasm, and motivation you display in an interview, the better your chances are for moving forward in the process.

Regardless of industry, most employers are interested in the following:

  • Communication (written and verbal) skills
  • Proficiency in field of study
  • Positive attitude towards work
  • Confidence
  • Self-motivation
  • Interpersonal and teamwork skills
  • Leadership qualities/potential
  • Knowledge of the industry
  • Organizational skills
  • Analytical and problem-solving ability
  • Maturity

Always remember, depending upon the nature of the job and the organization, other competencies may be evaluated more rigorously.

Interview Questions

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • When did you know you wanted to be an "xyz"?
  • How would your friends describe you?
  • What makes you tick or what motivates you?
  • Why should I hire you? Why did you choose your major?
  • What do you know about our organization?
  • Where do you see yourself in five years?
  • What is your greatest asset?
  • I see you received a very low grade in "course x". Why?
  • How do you feel about working with numbers?
  • What is 12% of 69? How did you figure that out?
  • You strike me as graduate school material. Why are you applying for jobs?
  • What do you think of our organizational structure?
  • What is your greatest liability?
  • What was the worst part of your college experience?
  • How much do you expect to earn?
  • What are the major responsibilities of this position?
  • What attracted you to this company?
  • What qualities and skills are most valued at this firm?
  • What characteristics must one have to thrive at this organization?
  • What are the company's growth projections?
  • Whom do you identify as your major competitors?
  • What are your plans for new products or services?
  • What kind of training would I receive?
  • What activities could I engage in now that might help me on the job if I'm hired?
  • What do you see as the key issues/challenges facing the person in this job?
  • How has this organization/facility been affected by all the changes in the "xxx" industry?
  • What is the timeline for filling this position? (Will there be additional interviews? When can I expect to hear back?)
  • Tell me about yourself.
  • When did you know you wanted to be an "xyz"?
  • How would your friends describe you?
  • What makes you tick or what motivates you?
  • Why should I hire you?
  • Why did you choose your major?
  • What do you know about our organization?
  • Where do you see yourself in five years?
  • What is your greatest asset?

What To Do If You Are At A Loss For Words

What if an interviewer poses a question that catches you so completely off guard that you cannot come up with an answer at all? Ideally, you can buy time and come up with a response by:

  • stalling for time. Ask to have the question repeated; repeat it yourself.
  • asking for clarification.
  • trying  to redirect your thought process and find an answer.

If all else fails...

In a gracious and polite way, say something like “May we return to this question later on? I seem to be at a loss at the moment." Be thinking of a response to the question as the interview proceeds!

If the interviewer returns to the question and you still don't have an answer, you may respond by saying, “This is a question that has really stumped me for some reason. May I have your card so that I can follow up later on today with an email?” (this is a last resort, of course, but if you go this route – make sure you follow up as promised!)

Mock Interviews

The CMC offers employer-led mock interview sessions each semester. Open to all business majors, these sessions are a great way to prepare for job interviews. The CMC can help you prepare for in-person, phone, and video interviews. Check Handshake for upcoming opportunities.

Login to Handshake

If you are not a Rawls student, you can reach out to the University Career Center for assistance with non-business related mock interviews.

  1. Make a one-hour appointment through Handshake.
  2. Email Rawls CMC information about the company/job/ industry you are preparing to interview with.
  3. Dress professionally and treat this as a real interview throughout the process.
  4. Prepare as you would for an interview with an employer.
  5. Arrive to the CMC (BA 119) 10 minutes early
  1. Make a one-hour appointment through Handshake
  2. Email Rawls CMC information about the company/job/ industry you are preparing to interview with.
  3. Get into an environment without distractions.
  4. Have talking points and notes in front of you for your reference.
  5. Be prepared 10 minutes early to receive your interview call.
  1. Make a one-hour appointment through Handshake
  2. Email Rawls CMC information about the company/job/ industry you are preparing to interview with.
  3. Communicate if you will utilize the Skype interview room in the CMC office or will be elsewhere.
  4. Log on five minutes before your interview time.
  5. Dress professionally and treat this the same as an in-person interview. Remember to consider your background.

Interview Follow-Up

Following an interview, promptly handwrite the interviewer a letter expressing appreciation and thanks for the interview. The purpose of this letter is to:

  • show appreciation for the employer's interest in you.
  • reiterate your interest in the position and in the organization.
  • review or remind the employer about your qualifications for the position. If you thought of something you forgot to mention in the interview, mention it in your follow-up/thank-you letter.
  • demonstrate that you have good manners and know to write a
    thank-you letter.
Download the complete Interview Follow-up Guide

Is it ok to email my thank you note?

Handwritten notes are more personal and can be appropriate for brief notes to a variety of individuals you may have met during an on-site interview. Email is appropriate, particularly as a supplement to a handwritten note, when email has been your primary means of contact with the person you want to thank. It is also a good option if your contact has expressed a preference for email, or you know your contact is traveling and will not have access to mail in a timely fashion.

Download the complete Thank You Note Guide

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