Quick Interview Preparation

As career counselors, we often get excited, yet panicked, phone calls from UK alumni who have been invited for an interview and given little notice. When this happens, we focus our one-hour Alumni Career Services counseling session on the interview bookends preparation method.

The interview bookends preparation session concentrates on three essential parts of any interview:

1)   Being able to answer the “Tell Me About Yourself” question

2)   Understanding the STAR behavioral interview method

3)   Ending with a strong closing statement

Tell Me About Yourself Interview Opener

Some version of the “Tell Me About Yourself” question typically happens at the beginning of the interview. Unfortunately for many who answer this question poorly, the interview goes straight downhill from there.  Fortunately, you can prepare for this question in advance.  Begin your response by sharing a little about your past work experience or education that is relevant for the target position. Then share what you are currently doing that is relevant. Lastly, share why you are excited about this position and what you can offer that will help them. With a response of only a few minutes, your goal is to clearly convey how you are uniquely qualified for the position.

STAR Behavior Technique

Most candidates will be faced with behavioral or situation interview questions. The interview team uses this type of question to gain an idea of how you would respond in a possible work related situation. Remember the acronym STAR – Situation/Task, Action, and Result. Using the STAR response format, give a very specific example of when you did something similar, quantifying your results or outcome whenever possible (#, $, %).

Closing Statement

Sometimes you will get the specific question, “Is there anything else you would like for us to know about you?” If you are not asked a question like this when the interview is coming to a close, be prepared to make a closing statement where you would simply thank the committee for the opportunity to interview and leave them with three reasons why you are a good candidate for the job.

In addition to the bookends quick interview preparation method, alumni clients need to conduct as much company research as possible prior to an interview. Use your company and industry knowledge to make your interview responses as relevant to the target company as possible, and prove to the employer that you want to be a part of their team.

Alumni Career Services is a benefit of the UK Alumni Association membership. To schedule an appointment with an alumni career counselor, contact the UK Alumni Association at 1-888-9UKCATS (852287).