Interviewing
Preparing For the Interview
Do your research
This is on every interview advice sheet in the world, and it’s because it’s important. Showing up to an interview unsure about what the company does will not look good. If you’re applying to be a receptionist at a doctor’s office, for example, it’s a good idea to know what kind of people usually go there (is it primarily the elderly? Kids? People with arthritis?) and how busy it is.
If you can’t answer these questions beforehand, make sure you ask them in the interview—say something like “I looked around but I couldn’t find anything that says how many people usually come in daily. How busy does it get?” Be ready to sound excited if the answer is “very.” Asking this kind of informed question is important to demonstrate your dedication to the opportunity.
Linked here is a worksheet (doc) to help you research the companies you’ll be applying with!
Ask before you Interview
There are a few questions you might want answered if you get the chance to ask them before you go in for an interview (e.g. during a phone screening, via email, etc.).
Where do I go when I get there? Who should I talk to to let you know I'm there?
What is the parking situation nearby (if you’ll be driving)?
Who do I ask for? Will it be you interviewing me?
These are things to be thinking about as you go in. You'll probably be fine if those questions aren't answered, but they may take a little bit of stress out of your interview day.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. There are some questions on applications or asked during interviews that are discriminatory and illegal. You do not have to answer questions related to age, sex, marital status, race, national origin, religion, your family, or pregnancy. If questions like this come up early in the application (while still on paper), write N/A. If they come up during the interview, you can say you prefer not to answer.
Interviewing
You can expect an interview to be a formal conversation about half an hour long. This time varies based on what position you are interviewing for. You’ll be expected to display great manners and demonstrate your personal skills. We’ve created a checklist for your convenience that helps you prepare for the interview. For more tips and expectations, read on!
What type of interview is it?
If you're having an interview over the phone or over the internet, the rules might be a little different:
Phone interviews can be hard because you and the prospective employer can’t see each other, but don’t worry—this also means you can be anywhere to take your call. Make sure the area is distraction-free (e.g. kids know not to disturb/are being watched, TV is off) and you have a notepad (to write questions) and a pen in front of you. It can also be helpful to have a copy of your cover letter and resume, since that’s what the employer knows about you so far.
Most of the time, these interviews are scheduled ahead of time via email or phone call. When scheduling, make sure you know whether the employer is going to call you or you’re going to call them. It can be awkward if both of you are waiting on a call, or calling each other on a busy line!
If an employer hasn’t scheduled a time with you, and calls you at a time when you can’t get rid of all your distractions, tell them and ask them for a convenient time that you can call back.
For video and Zoom interviews, refer to this checklist (doc) to make sure you’re prepared!
Answering interview questions
A useful rule to remember when answering questions is STAR, which stands for:
Situation: Quickly describe the circumstance: where you worked, what the company did, how long ago it occurred (if that's useful).
Task: Describe the task you were asked to complete.
Action: How did you complete the task? Why did you decide to do that?
Result: What happened in the end? What did that mean for you?
For example, if I asked you "tell me about a time you made something at work more efficient," you might say:
Situation: "When I was working as a team member at Fred Meyer,"
Task: "I was often asked to get rid of all our spoilage, which was stored in large bins in the back of the store. However, there was no organizational system, so this was often a several-hour process."
Action: "I knew I could get it done faster if it was organized, so I got my manager's approval for a sorting system that put the spoilage into the categories we would shrink out as it came in, rather than as we were getting rid of it. I told my coworkers about it and they agreed that it was a good idea, and we ended up relabeling the bins and implementing that idea across the store."
Result: "That ended up reducing the amount of time it took to get the spoilage done by at least half an hour, depending on how much of it there was. I ended up being in charge of the spoilage process after that."
This answer is clear, concise, and the Result section provides numbers as well as anecdotal evidence as proof that your strategy was a success. See the STAR method working and practice with some common interview questions:
Getting in the right headspace
At least an hour before your interview, it’s a good idea to review your worksheet and ask yourself some common interview questions. This gets your brain on the right track before the interview. Be thinking about how you’re successful in the face of adversity. Practice explaining gaps in work history, any felonies, and “what are your greatest weaknesses?” Use the STAR method to make the answers reflect well on you. The worksheet below will help guide you through this process:
During the Interview
Walk in confidently, and be aware of your body language—be open and free, respect the interviewer’s personal space, and be as professional as you can possibly be. Don't stare, but make plenty of eye contact, especially if you're wearing a mask. This will make you seem trustworthy and genuine.
Questions to ask: The interviewer will ask you whether you have any questions, and you should have some ready with company-specific questions to ask. Below are some generic questions it's good to have on the back burner:
How would my performance be evaluated?
What does the day-to-day look like in this job?
What is your biggest concern about my qualifications for the position? (Be ready to follow up with something like, "I understand that, but I hope another look at my resume will convince you otherwise. I did x for y company that made me confident in my own abilities.")
What are the next steps in the process? When will I hear back about your decision?
Make sure you do not ask questions about salary/wages, personal or medical leave, or benefits. These come across as presumptive. Save them for after the job offer.
Later that day or the next day, make sure you follow up with a thank-you email or letter. A Google docs template for this is linked here.
Overall, remember to use your best manners, and to thank the interviewer for their time at the beginning and the end of the session. Be your best self!