Interview Tips and Best Practices

Interview Tips: How can I prepare for the interview?

• Review your resume. Be prepared to answer specific questions about your background, skills, strengths, weaknesses and current position.
• Plan your interview attire. Wear professional business attire. Indeed’s recommendations include: check for stains, snags, pet hair and holes, lay out clothes and all planned items (e.g., copies of resumes) the night before.
• Prepare a list of references.
• Prepare your questions. Ask questions that demonstrate you are interested in the position. Ex: What are the traits someone would need to succeed in this role?
• Pack pens, copies of your resume and a pad of paper. Write down the name and telephone number of the contact person for the interview. Practice answering typical interview questions. (Find a friend to help you)
  Examples: What are your current duties? Why do you want to leave your current position? Can you describe a time you had to work with a group? What are your strengths?
• Behavioral Questions – Interviewers are trying to elicit an example of your past behavior in a similar situation.
• Situational Questions – Interviewers are trying to determine how you would handle job-related situations that may come up in the future.
• Tips for answering interview questions: be open and honest with your answers, practice your interview responses aloud, keep your answers under two minutes.
• Use behavioral examples: Think about what is required for the job, make a list of the skills and experience required, then match your qualifications to the position. Think about concrete examples.
• Do not answer questions with a yes or no. Provide specific examples from your previous job or experience and how it relates to the current position.
• Plan your travel to the interview. Leave early.
• Bring the interviewer contact information in case something goes wrong.
• Take a few deep breathes to prepare yourself prior to the interview.
• Greet everyone. Write down the names of the interviewers.
  Ensure you are making eye contact and demonstrate good posture.
• Listen carefully – make sure you understand the questions.
• Make eye contact.
• Sell yourself - Most interviews start with a question such as: Tell me about yourself or tell me about your career. This is the time to “sell” yourself.
• Ask follow-up questions to demonstrate interest.
• Send thank you emails.

What questions will I be asked during the interview?

During the interview, panel members use job-related behavioral and situational-based structured interview questions. The same interview questions are asked of all interviewees.

Typical interview questions:

1. Resume/Job Experience: Interviewees are asked to review their education and job experience as it relates to the position.

2. Behavioral Interview Questions: Behavioral interview questions require interviewees to discuss past experiences and how they behaved and reacted to those experiences.

Example: Describe a time you had to make a critical decision at work. What was the issue? How did you arrive at your decision?

Example: Describe a time when you disagreed with your supervisors' decision? Why? How did you react?

3. Situational Interview Questions: Situational interview questions require interviewees to explain and provide examples of how they would handle or react to job-related situations or issues.

Example: A court user complained about the quality of service provided by your team. What would you tell the court user? How would you resolve the situation?

Example: You have competing deadlines to complete two important projects for work. You are not able to meet the two deadlines. How would you handle the situation?

Additional Resources