Interview Preparation
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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 your fit with the company and 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.
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Review our interviewing handouts regarding the types of interviews, common interview questions, dressing for interviews, follow-up thank you notes, and general advice to help you prepare.
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Please choose a category below to view:
Big Interview is an online tool that provides pre-recorded lessons on all aspects of interviewing including tips on how to answer tough questions. You can also practice mock interviewing by selecting a prerecorded virtual interviewer while recording your responses to a variety of questions.  Play these videos back to critique yourself or share them with your career counselor for further feedback. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel about interviewing, so get started today!
Congratulations on the job offer! Be sure to receive a formal, written confirmation of the offer that includes information about position title, start date, salary, benefits, and deadline for responding.
If in doubt, a career counselor with CLD can help you through the process of evaluating the offer, negotiating salary, and deciding whether to accept or decline the offer
Some areas to consider when evaluating an offer are:
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Job Duties:
What are the job duties and responsibilities? Are they realistic and exciting? Will the work be challenging to you? Are there a variety of tasks to perform? Are there opportunities for growth?
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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?
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Organization:
What is the organization's reputation? Is the organization growing or downsizing?
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Compensation:
What is the total compensation package (base salary and benefits)? Does the salary meet your financial needs and obligations? If the salary is low, are there opportunities for significant responsibilities and advancement? What benefits are offered, i.e. healthcare, vacation, sick time, etc.? Be aware that some smaller employers offer creative benefits to attract good employees including stock options, transportation costs, free meals, flextime, telecommuting, etc.
Don't be afraid to negotiate your offer! The employer expects it. Check out websites such as Glassdoor, Salary, or LinkedIn Salary to explore salary ranges by job title and location. See how years of experience, industry, location and more can impact your salary and use this to support any salary negotiations you make.