Preparing for Job Interviews: Essential Resources for Success

Preparation is key to making a great first impression. It helps you feel more confident, improves your communication skills, and allows you to effectively highlight your experiences, education, and strengths that match the job you're seeking. Getting ready for a job interview can feel overwhelming, but the Saremi Center for Career Development offers a variety of resources to help you prepare with confidence. Services and resources we provide include:

  • Mock Interviews: Practice makes perfect! Schedule a mock interview with the Saremi Center or use StandOut to simulate real interview questions and receive feedback on your performance.
  • Interview Guides: Access our guides covering common interview questions, behavioral interview techniques, and tips on how to dress professionally.
  • Interviewing Resource Toolkit: We've collected numerous videos, articles, tools, and templates from a variety of sources and packaged them together for you.
  • Career Development Workshops: Attend workshops focused on interview preparation, networking skills, and professional etiquette to help you stand out during the hiring process.

Taking time to prepare will boost your chances of success and allow you to showcase your strengths. If you’d like personalized support for an upcoming interview, we encourage you to schedule a one-on-one meeting with one of our career advisors. We’re here to help you succeed every step of the way!

Download the Complete Interviewing Guide

Download the Interviewing Resource Toolkit

StandOut - Mock Interview Platform

The Saremi Center for Career Development is excited to offer our students StandOut, an innovative mock video interviewing platform designed to enhance your interviewing abilities with AI feedback.

StandOut can be accessed through the My Apps Dashboard using the SSO login--just look for the green login button on the landing page. Or, click the link below and log in your campus credentials to access this valuable resource. Follow the prompts and begin refining your interview skills today.

Download the StandOut flyer

Download the StandOut instructions

Visit StandOut here

 

Preparing for Interview Success

The interview process is more than just answering questions; it’s about showcasing your preparedness, adaptability, and professionalism. By planning ahead, understanding your interviewers, and making a strong first impression, you can set yourself apart from other candidates. This guide focuses on essential strategies from planning to behavior management that will help you succeed in your next interview.

Before, During, and After Your Interview

Preparing for a job interview can be a nerve-wracking experience, but with the right approach, you can walk in feeling confident and ready to succeed. This guide provides practical steps for each phase of the interview process: from researching the company and practicing your answers beforehand, to making a great first impression and handling questions smoothly during the interview and following up professionally afterward. By following these simple yet effective strategies, you’ll be well on your way to acing your next interview.

Download the Before, During, and After Your Interview Guide

Know the Questions, Ace the Interview

As you prepare to graduate and enter the professional world, one of the most critical steps in securing your first job is nailing the interview. Knowing what to expect can boost your confidence and help you make a strong impression. Interviews typically follow a predictable flow, beginning with introductory questions to break the ice and moving into deeper inquiries about your education, skills, and work experience. By preparing for common interview questions in categories like education, competency, and cultural fit, you’ll be ready to highlight your strengths and show employers why you’re the right candidate for the job. This list of Common Interview Questions for college students getting ready to graduate, grouped into categories that follow the typical flow of a professional interview.

Download the Common Interview Questions guide

The Importance of Sending a Post-Interview Thank-You Email

Sending a thank-you email within 24 hours of an interview demonstrates professionalism, courtesy, and genuine interest in the position. It allows candidates to reaffirm their enthusiasm for the role while reinforcing key points discussed during the interview. Additionally, a well-crafted thank-you email can help candidates stand out by showcasing strong communication skills and attention to detail. It also provides an opportunity to highlight relevant qualifications that may not have been fully addressed during the interview, leaving a positive and lasting impression on the interviewer.

Failing to send a thank-you email after an interview can undermine the positive impression you made during the meeting, as it may signal a lack of follow-through or genuine interest. A thoughtful thank-you note not only reinforces your professionalism but also ensures that the goodwill you built during the interview isn’t wasted.

Download the Interview Thank-you Email Template

InterviewBot 5000

Dive into our AI Career Bots—fun, intuitive, and designed to make your career-related activities a breeze! Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, these bots are your new go-to tools for discovering career paths, honing your skills, and getting personalized advice, all while having a great time.

Leverage the power of generative AI with Amazon's PartyRock platform to master your career preparation skills—learn by doing, and gain the insights and experience you need to succeed, all while having fun along the way!

The InterviewBot 5000 is an AI-driven tool, developed by Jeremy Schifeling, designed to simulate job interviews, providing users with a realistic interview experience. It offers customizable interview scenarios, ranging from technical to behavioral questions, helping users practice and refine their interview skills. The bot provides instant feedback on responses, highlighting areas for improvement, making it useful for both job seekers and career coaches.

InterviewBot 5000 —  Paste in a job description and your resume, and this bot will allow you to practice some relevant interview questions, get feedback, and continue the conversation like a mock interview (albeit with a robot).

CAR Method: Guide to Responding to Behavioral Interview Questions

Behavioral interview questions are designed to assess how you handle real-life situations and challenges in the workplace. These questions typically focus on past experiences to predict your future performance. Preparing thoughtful, structured responses using the CAR Method (Challenge, Action, Result) can help you demonstrate your critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills in these scenarios.

The CAR Method Guide is designed to help you respond effectively to behavioral interview questions by structuring your answers around three key elements: Challenge, Action, and Result. By following the guide, you can prepare impactful responses that demonstrate their real-world experience and potential for success in a professional environment.

STAR vs CAR: Some people may be more familiar with the term STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) Method. The STAR and CAR methods are nearly identical approaches to responding to behavioral interview questions. These methods are equally effective once the basic premise is understood and technique is mastered.

Download the CAR Method: Guide to Responding to Behavioral Interview Questions

What to Wear for an Interview

Dressing appropriately for a job interview is an important part of making a positive first impression. Regardless of the employer's typical dress code, it’s always best to err on the side of formality by wearing a suit if possible. If you don’t have a suit, business casual attire can still help you look polished and professional. This guide outlines the essential items to consider when dressing for an interview and provides helpful resources if you're in need of professional attire. Remember, how you present yourself speaks volumes before you even say a word!

Download the Interview Attire guide

GUIDES - Interview Preparation

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The interview process is more than just answering questions; it’s about showcasing your preparedness, adaptability, and professionalism. This Preparing for Interview Success guide focuses on essential strategies from planning to behavior management that will help you succeed in your next interview.

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Preparing for a job interview can be a nerve-wracking experience, but with the right approach, you can walk in feeling confident and ready to succeed. This Before, During, and After Your Interview guide provides practical steps for each phase of the process: before, during, and after the interview.

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Dressing appropriately for a job interview is an important part of making a positive first impression. This What to Wear for an Interview guide outlines the essential items to consider when dressing for an interview and provides helpful resources if you're in need of professional attire.

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This list of Common Interview Questions for college students getting ready to graduate, grouped into categories that follow the typical flow of a professional interview.
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Behavioral interview questions are designed to assess how you handle real-life situations and challenges in the workplace. Preparing thoughtful, structured responses by following this CAR Method: Guide to Responding to Behavioral Interview Questions guide will help you demonstrate your critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills in these scenarios.

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This Complete Interviewing Guide combines multiple resources into one guide to help prepare you for every aspect your interview: before, during, after, and following up!

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This presentation on The ABCs of Interview Success: Appearance, Behavior, and Communication provides essential guidance to help students excel in interviews. By mastering these three aspects, students can significantly improve their interview performance and increase their chances of success.

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RESOURCES - Interview Preparation

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This StandOut flyer describes benefits of using its video mock interview platform (now featuring advanced cognitive computing and AI) to improve your job interviewing skills.

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Follow these StandOut instructions to learn how to use this innovative mock video interviewing platform designed to enhance your interviewing abilities with AI feedback.

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This Interviewing Resource Toolkit is chock full of videos, articles, guides, tools, and templates from different sources to give you even more assistance in preparing to crush those interviews!

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TEMPLATES - Interview Preparation

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Sending a thank-you email after an interview is a professional and courteous way to show your appreciation and reinforce your interest in the job. Follow the steps in this Interview Thank-You Email Template within 24 hours of your interview to reinforce that positive first impression!

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