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Quick Links
- Sample Behavioral Interview Questions
- Sample Technical Interview Questions
- Technical Interview Guide
- Sample Questions to Ask an Interviewer
- Interview Prep Checklist
Before the Interview
Research the Company
Be sure to research information about the company you are interviewing with. Understand the company culture, values, and mission. Know information about recent events in the industry.
Review the job description and your Resume
Be knowledgeable about the position you are interviewing for and the skills that the employer is looking for. Think about how the combination of your work experience, personal qualities, and academic or co-curricular activities make you uniquely qualified for the position. Identify your skills and connect them to the position requirements.
know what to expect
Be informed of the organization's interview process. Is the interview in-person, over the phone or through Skype? Who is conducting the interview? Will there be multiple interviews on the same day? Talk to any friends or connections that work with the company or visit Glassdoor to gain valuable insight.
Be sure to know what type of interview to expect. Some companies conduct general and behavioral interviews for the first round of interviews, while others may require technical questions in the first interview. Ask the representative, so you are prepared.
Dress Professionally
First impressions matter! Choose your interview attire a few days before your interview. Be sure it is clean and pressed. View our professional dress guide for different examples.
Prepare your stories & Answers
Reflect on your past experiences relating to the position. Decide which experiences, skills, and qualifications you want to talk about during the interview. Use Big Interview to practice your answers!
Types of Interviews
1. Behavioral Interviews
This interview requires you to share examples of situations you have been in that required you to use certain skills. The interviewer will want to know how you handled a situation, instead of what you might do in the future.
To answer behavioral questions, you will want to tell a story about your past experiences. There is an art to telling a good story, and the STAR method will guide you as you prepare to tell your story in an interview.
Use this method to organize your stories and examples. The chart below describes each aspect of the STAR method and how to communicate your skills and experiences to the interviewer.
| Situation |
Identify the situation, problem, or conflict you encountered. Set the stage and paint a visual picture for the interviewer. Briefly mention the experience you are referencing. |
| Task | Explain what you were tasked within the situation. What were your responsibilities and goals? |
| Action | What action did you take based on the situation or task? If it was in a group setting focus on what YOU did. Describe what you actually did, not what you might do. |
| Result | Disclose the result of the action you took. What results did you achieve? What was the outcome? What did you accomplish? Discuss what you learned from the experience. |
How to Tell a Good Story
- Using examples - Internships, work experience, activities, class projects, team participation, community service, hobbies, travel, study abroad, student organizations
- Highlight skills you've gained such as initiative, innovation, leadership, working with others/teamwork, critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, overcoming obstacles, creativity, dealing with ambiguity, and flexibility.
- Be specific!
2. Technical Interviews
Strategies for Answering Technical Questions
For technical questions be direct, confident and assertive
- The way you answer the question (tone of voice, eye contact, etc.) is just as important (if not more so) as what you say – projected confidence will win the day
- Do not give a one-line response. The interviewer does not want to know the answer as much as they want to know how you reached the answer – “show your work” by explaining your thought process in your response.
The interviewer is trying to assess your problem solving and critical thinking skills. Questions like "how many manholes are located in Manhattan" are common. They are not looking for a right answer instead they want to see how you solve problems
- Explain your process- if you discover you made a mistake while explaining your answer, then explain why and how you can improve it. Do not give up and stop communicating. Be tenacious, be creative, and be willing to explain yourself.
- The reasons for the choice are more interesting than the choice
If you do not know the answer, be upfront, and then explain how you would try to find the answer. Remember, that the interviewer is evaluating your process for approaching a problem just as much as your answer – so tell them how you would go about finding an answer to a question you do not know. HINT: do not tell them you would just “Google it.”
If you know the answer, then this is your chance to shine. Be sure to use pictures and diagrams where appropriate. Use the whiteboard, or draw on a notepad. When you finish, ask if you have satisfactorily answered the question. If you have creative thoughts about additional solutions, then share them.
Practice Your interview skills
Once you know the type of interview to expect, you will want to practice how you will answer common questions. Big Interview is a platform for you to participate in a mock interview, review common questions, and evaluate your responses.
During the Interview
remember to...
- Be on time! Arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes early.
- Be considerate and polite to ALL staff members. You never know who will provide input for a hiring decision.
- Turn off your cell phone and smartwatch
- Avoid strong scents that may be distracting to the employer. Keep this in mind if you smoke.
- Discard any chewing gum or breath mints before your interview.
- Greet your interviewer by name. Give a firm handshake.
- Be enthusiastic and smile!
throughout the interview
- Relax. You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.
- Listen carefully to the interviewer.
- Make sure you answer the question your interviewer is asking.
- Relate your skills, accomplishments, and objectives to the needs of the company.
- Be specific in your responses. Remember the STAR Method.
- Sell yourself!
After the Interview
Follow-Up
- Email or write a "thank-you" note to the interviewer – email is perfectly acceptable
- Provide the interviewer with updated contact information if it has changed since you last communicated
- If you have received other offers or have deadlines and need to hear back from the company, contact the interviewer to give them an update and explain your time-frame. If you have accepted an offer remove yourself from their consideration immediately.
Reviewing an Offer
Review the Offer
- Consider the salary PLUS the additional benefits (relocation assistance, healthcare coverage, signing bonus, etc. Not sure how to do this? Check out our Guide to Evaluating Your Offer!
- Other things to consider: company culture and fit, interactions with the recruiters/staff, the type of work you've been offered, location, professional development opportunities, and personal growth.
- Once you accept an offer, stick with it! If you accept an offer and renege, this can hurt you professionally and have consequences from the career services office. Not sure what reneging is? See our Ethical Recruiting Practices for Students
- Remember, you will work for several companies in your lifetime and this is the START to your career journey!
Recruiting guidelines
The CNS Career Services office advocates for students to receive reasonable time to evaluate the offer and make a decision. Typically this is a two-week time frame from the written offer. During the fall semester, we advocate for longer deadlines in the peak season. If you receive an exploding offer please let our office know. An exploding offer is typically one that is made with pressure and has a quick turnaround, such as several days.
Advocate for Yourself
If you are in a situation where you are managing multiple offers or companies in the interviewing process, do not be afraid to ask for more time to make a decision. Check out our Salary Negotiation Guide and our Offer Negotiation Email Templates to help you advocate for yourself.
Need more help reviewing your offer? Make an Evaluate Your Offer appointment with a Career Coach.
Ethical Recruiting Practices for Students
The College of Natural Sciences Career Services Office strives to provide services and programs to empower students in career exploration, professional development and networking opportunities to connect with employers. It is important in the professional development of students that they learn to conduct themselves in an ethical manner. Failure to honor agreements with recruiters reflects poorly on the student as well as the University.
All students are expected to read and understand these guidelines in addition to the consequences of violating these guidelines. For any additional questions, please contact the CNS Career Services Office or make an appointment with a career coach.
UT Austin CNS students are expected to:
- Follow through with all event RSVPs
- Provide 48 hours notice of any canceled interviews when possible
- Be on time for all appointments, on-campus interviews and recruiting events
- Present qualifications in a truthful manner
- Understand hiring and offer policies
- Accept jobs/internships offers in an ethical manner
- Stop interviewing once an offer has been accepted
- Honor accepted job/internship offers
Reneging
Reneging refers to breaking an employment commitment and is considered dishonest and unethical. This includes accepting new offers after previously accepting a different offer. Reneging can carry serious repercussions at the University and can negatively impact your professional reputation.
Reneging reflects poorly on the candidate and potentially damages The University of Texas at Austin’s reputation and relationships with employers. Instances of reneging that are reported by an employer will be investigated by CNS Career Services and may result in loss of recruiting privileges for the student.
Consequences for violating these guidelines:
If a student violates any of the above guidelines, any or all of the following consequences may occur at the discretion of the CNS Career Services Office:
- Handshake account deactivated for one year
- Exclusion from on-campus interviews with employers
- Banned from recruiting events, including department-sponsored events with company partners
- Mandatory meeting with the Career Services Office or academic advisor
- Referral to Judicial Services in the UT Dean of Students Office
- Notification letter will be sent to your department chair
Need a quiet room for an upcoming phone or webcam interview? Texas Career Engagement offers private interview rooms for students to reserve!
