Interview Preparation

Preparing for an interview is one of the most crucial aspects of the job search process. Your resume, cover letter, and network connections helped you stand out in a pool of applicants, but now is your chance to wow the employer by showing how well you would fit with the company and your excitement for the opportunity. Being well-prepared for the interview will give you the confidence to impress the employer and succeed in obtaining a job offer.

Review our Interviewing resources about types of interviews, common interview questions, dressing for interviews, follow-up thank you notes, and general advice to help you prepare.

Big Interview provides students with lessons and virtual interview practice for jobs, internships and graduate school admissions. Their built-in feedback tool allows students to get analysis from mentors, professors, coaches, friends, or CLD staff.

Congratulations on the job offer! You should receive a formal, written confirmation of the offer that includes information about position title, start date, salary, benefits, and deadline for responding.

With a career counselor at CLD to help you through the process of evaluating the offer, negotiating salary, and deciding whether to accept or decline.

Some areas to consider when evaluating an offer :

Job Duties:

What are the job duties and responsibilities? Are they realistic and exciting? Will the work be challenging to you? Is there variety to the work? How is there opportunity for growth?

Work Environment:

Do you like the physical work environment? Do you feel comfortable with your future supervisor and fellow employees? Is your supervisor likely to be a good mentor? Do your values and lifestyle correspond with the values and culture of the organization?

Organization:

What is the organization's reputation? Is the organization growing or downsizing?

Compensation:

What is the compensation package? Does the salary meet your financial needs and obligations? If the salary is low, are there opportunities for significant responsibilities and advancement? What is the benefits package offered? Be aware that some smaller employers offer creative benefits to attract good employees, including stock options, transportation costs, meals, flextime, telecommuting, etc.

Check out web sites such as Glassdoor, Salary, or LinkedIn Salary to explore salaries by job title and location. See how years of experience, industry, location and more can impact your salary and use this to inform any salary negotiations you make.