Preparing Stories and Your Interview Setting
Before the Interview
Research as much as you can
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Learn what matters most to them using their website, news, social media or blog
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Learn about the employer's products and services
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Learn about the team you are applying to and explain it in your own words
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Practice explaining the job in your own words - make sure you research any parts of the job description that you don't understand
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Ask a classmate about a recent technical interview experience
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Continue networking with employees -- you can use LinkedIn's alumni insights
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Read the interview pages (pg 18-21) in our Career Handbook
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Create your list of questions for them incorporating what you've learned
Anticipate questions
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Create a list of employer/job specific questions you expect from them, and organize your response in bullets
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Practice answering the "tell me about yourself" and "why work here" questions
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Prepare by using the behavioral practice questions in the Career Handbook or Big Interview
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Brush up on CS 187 (data structures) knowledge and practice following the step-by-step approach from the Programming Interviews Exposed book
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Read the Technical Interviewing info sheet and consider getting the Crack The Coding Interview book to begin practicing
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Check out some of the resources on the Tech Interview info sheet including LeetCode
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Practice tech interviewing with a classmate
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Prepare 3-4 of your favorite professional stories to respond to a variety of open-ended questions
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Make a list of keywords that you might want to incorporate into your responses (e.g., small teams)
Prepare for your interview
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(In-Person) Print out several copies of your resume for yourself and to share with any interviewers who request it
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Watch or listen to something before the phone interview to get your happy and relaxed
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(In-Person) Print the full job description to reference during the interview
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Prepare your anticipated questions and answers for them
Virtual Interviews
Set the scene
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If you will be on camera, test your camera and microphone
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Check lighting is bright: face towards a window with sunlight for best results
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Check sound is clear: find a quiet, disruption-free place
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Check video background: remove any distractions or items you may not want shown to your interviewer
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If on camera, position your camera so it is level with your eyes
Preventing technical difficulties
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Make sure your internet connection is stable
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Test your computer's camera and microphone
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Make sure the interviewing website or application has camera and microphone access
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If using an interviewing website, make sure your web browser has camera and microphone access
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Check your interviewing site's minimum browser requirements
During the Interview
Round 1
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For phone screens and video calls, be sure you are in a quiet setting where you will not be disrupted or have technical issues
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Use the STAR method to structure your responses to behavioral interview questions
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Ask about next steps at the end so you are clear on when and how you can follow up
Round 2
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For final rounds of interview which are typically in-person, give yourself plenty of time to deal with the unexpected
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Just be kind -- if you get nervous remember that being friendly and kind can make up small "mistakes"
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Ask about next steps at the end so you are clear on when and how you can follow up
Dress code
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Ask around for advice on what to wear and aim to be slightly more dressed up than the typical employee
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Traditional interview dress includes: ironed (ideally tailored) suit with button down shirt, nice dress shoes
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Also consider: Ties with classic patterns and colors, plain simple jewelry, neutral nail polish
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Feel free to show your own personality and style
After the Interview
Say thank you!
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Be sure to send a thank you note afterwards -- try to get the interviewers email or use LinkedIn, and reference your notes from the interview to provide memorable details
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Ask CICS Careers to review your thank you note draft before sending to the employer to get it just right
Learn for next time
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Take notes about what you learned and where you can improve for future interviews
Unwind
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Reward yourself! Interviews can be mentally and emotionally exhausting so do something you enjoy to celebrate making it to the final round of the selection process