Co-operative Education and Career Services

INTERVIEW
PREP &
PRACTICE
 Section 1

BEFORE
 WHAT IS A PHONE SCREEN?

A phone screen is typically a short phone call, lasting from 15 to 30

minutes, during which you’ll discuss basic qualifications for and
information about a job.
Phone screens usually include straightforward questions about
why you applied for the job, your availability, and whether you have
some of the basic skills required to do the job.
Phone screenings are usually to narrow down the pool of people
further to invite for job interviews.
 HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY PHONE SCREENING?
Perfect your pitch. Many interviews start with the question, “Tell me about yourself,” and phone screens are
no exception. Your answer to this question should be clear, succinct, and specific to this job.

Review the job description and know how your qualifications match up. Be ready to talk about how your
skills and experience make you the right fit for this job, and ensure you have examples to share.

Research the company. You don’t need to know everything about a company, but you should be able to
speak to what they do and why you want to work there. Take some time to review the company’s website and
social media accounts.

Set up for a successful call. Ensure that your phone is charged and you’ll have a clear signal with minimal
distractions. If possible, have a copy of the resume you submitted on hand.

Be ready to answer the right kinds of questions. Phone screen interview questions may not be in-depth,
but you should be prepared to talk about logistics, like availability to start. You should be ready to discuss your
professional history and interest in the job and company.

Take your phone screen seriously. Even though it’s a short call, it’s a gatekeeper conversation to get to the
next round of interviews.
 Research the company, the

How to position you're applying for, and

prepare for the industry.

Clarify why you want the job and
an interview: what makes you a good candidate.
Practice answering interview
Use these tips to questions. Prepare your answers
make a great by writing them down, thinking of
impression at your
next job interview. stories you could tell, and
practicing them aloud.
 1
It is important that you review the job
description to understand what would be
Review the expected of you so you can explain how
job you'll be able to fulfill those expectations
and be a good fit for the employer.
description
carefully You can use the job description as a
guide because it will typically specify the
required qualifications, experience,
qualities, and background that the
employer wants in an ideal candidate.
 2
Ask yourself why you want to apply for
Understand this position and why you think you are
qualified for the job. This is an important
your and commonly-asked question. You
motivation need to have an answer for this because
most job interviewers will ask you why
you are interested in a particular job
opportunity.
 3

Know the Research the company you're applying

company to so that you understand the company
and the culture and goals. The interviewers will
expect you to have some idea about
role what the company does and what the
role entails.
 4

Prepare
There is no way to predict what you will
be asked during an interview, but there
answers to are some questions that are often

common
brought up.

interview Plan your answers for these questions as

questions
this will give your confidence a boost and
make you feel you can be successful.
 5
Your tone of voice can say volumes about
your personality traits and your confidence.
Understand If you want to make a lasting impression on
the value of the interviewers, practice speaking in a
confident and strong voice that is
body professional but friendly at the same time.

language Be mindful of your body language and

and tone of make personal decisions about how you
want to be perceived, considering things
voice like posture, eye contact, etc.
 6
Many employers would give you the
chance to ask questions about the
Ask the company and the position.

right It is a good idea to prepare these

questions questions in advance so that the
interviewers get the impression that you
have taken the time to research the
company and are also aware of what the
position entails.
 7
Practicing for an interview is one of the
Practice most effective ways to prepare yourself,
using relieve your anxiety and improve your
confidence. This may be a tedious
mock exercise, but the effort is worth it.
interviews Practice a few times because the more
you practice, the better you will perform
during the actual interview.
 8
Always review your resume and cover
Review letter before the interview. This will help
your you identify any skills or experiences
you’d like to highlight.
resume
and cover If there is anything you don’t feel
confident about, prepare your
letter explanation and make sure it is honest
and logical.
 9
Many job applications are done online.
However, it is always a good idea to
carry a few print copies of your resume,
Print your which you can present to your
interviewers. This makes you appear
resume professional and organized. Carry three
to five copies with you.

You can also take a copy of the job

description and notes outlining your
interview answers.
 10 Job interviews can be stressful, and sometimes,
getting to the interview itself might be a challenge.
Plan ahead so that you are not late, and have
made alternate travel arrangements if needed.

Don't be Make sure you arrive early to show your dedication

and sense of professionalism.
late Prepare instructions for your route to get to the
interview location. Save your interviewer's contact
information and keep it handy.

If you are taking a car with you, be familiar with the

available parking spaces and take note of the traffic
to avoid any delays.
 What about virtual
interviews?
Video interviews are becoming more and
more common. A video interview gives you
the face-to-face aspect missing from a
phone interview without having to take time
off or travel to meet in person.
THE BEST WAYS TO SET UP FOR A VIDEO INTERVIEW

1. Prepare your environment - Lighting, camera, must

haves.
2. Prepare yourself
3. Prepare the shot
4. Test your tech
5. Show up a few minutes early
6. Maintain good posture and eye contact
7. Wait for the other person to finish speaking
8. Signal when your answers are complete
 Section 2

DURING
 ANSWERING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS​

When answering interview questions, we want to

prepare, practice, and be strategic because:
It’s not enough to provide a basic answer​
Providing context allows the interviewer
to understand​
Telling a complete answer engages the
interviewer in what you have to say
 TYPES OF INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

During a job interview, the employer may ask different types of

questions. These questions are designed to gather specific
information. Questions in an interview can focus on a wide
range of topics, such as your qualifications or experience or
your personality or work style.

Here are the main types of interview questions you may get...
1. Credential Verification Questions
Aim to objectively verify the credentials presented
in your resume.
Ex: “What is your GPA?”
 2. Experience
Verification Questions
Aim to subjectively evaluate the experiences in
your background.
Ex: “What did you learn during that course?”
 3. Competency Questions
These are designed to assess if you possess
specific competencies and experience which are
required for the job role.
Ex: “Give me an example of your leadership skills.”
 4. Hypothetical Questions
Used to understand how you’d behave in the
workplace.
Ex: “What would you do if…”
 5. Behavioral Questions
The purpose is to objectively analyze past
behaviours in a certain type of situation to predict
how you might react in those situations in future.
Ex: “Tell me about a time when you…”
 BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Behavioural interview questions are questions or statements that

ask job candidates to share examples of specific situations they’ve
been in. Usually, interviewers want to know about an experience
where you had to use certain skills—soft skills especially—or had
to navigate certain types of scenarios.
Behavioural interview questions are focused on you and 100%
something you can prep for in advance. You actually have the
answers already. We just need to find the right stories and polish
them up a bit!
Using the CAR Crafting Your CAR Story:
method to Context/Challenge: This is

answer
a past situation or problem
that I encountered. ​
questions will Action: This is the positive
help you stand action I took to deal with the
out and show situation. ​
Result: This is how things
your skills. improved because of what I
did. ​
 EXAMPLE: LEARNING/GROWTH MINDSET​

Challenge/Context: When I starting working as a summer tour guide at a factory, I had to learn a lot
about how many different machines and processes worked. This was new information to me and was
not fully provided in advance. Sometimes on tours I was asked questions that I didn't know the
answer to.​
Action: To address this I researched the answers to the questions by following up with people who
worked in that area of the factory. I became much more knowledgeable and comfortable with
questions because I made sure to learn something new every day and kept a growth mindset. ​
Result: After a month of tours there was rarely a question that could stump me, but I remained open
to learning and sought out new information to keep making my tours more informative and interesting.
I was also able to document this learning to be used by future tour guides. I would be able to apply
these quick learning skills in this specific role by ….​
 CAR Interview Activity
Take 5 minutes to write out a CAR story about one of these skills: Teamwork,
Communication, Leadership, Problem-Solving, Customer Service, Adaptability, Time
Management
Find a partner​and assign one person as blue and the other as red​
​First, blue will interview red with a question about the skill red chose (4 minutes)
Then, blue will provide feedback using the Praise, Question, Polish method​(1 minute):
Praise: What did they do exceptionally well?​
Question: What questions were you left with?​
Polish: What’s something they could do even better with some practice?​
Next, you’ll swap, and red will interview blue and provide feedback
Let’s debrief!
How was that?​
What did you learn about yourself?
Interviews? One another?​
Did any questions come up?​
Prepare answers to
common interview
questions
There is no way to predict what you
will be asked during an interview, but
there are some questions that are
often brought up.
 COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Why do you want to work here?

This is where your effort to learn about the company and its products
and services will help you. You can answer this question by
mentioning the aspects of the company that interest you and how the
company's business activities are aligned with your career goals.
 COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

What interests you about this role?

This question is your opening to highlight the skills that make you a
worthy candidate for this role. You have already reviewed the job
description, and you are aware of the skills that you possess and the
skills that the employer wants in an ideal candidate. Focus on those
skills in your answer and convey why you feel you are the right person
for this job.
 COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

What are your strengths?

This is another opportunity for you to talk about your qualifications

and your skills. Make this answer a bit personal and highlight
attributes and qualities that would help you connect with the
interviewers and, at the same time, convey your strengths.
 COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Tell me about yourself.

This question seems simple, so many people fail to prepare for it, but
it’s crucial. Don’t give your complete employment or personal history.
Instead, give a pitch—one that’s concise and compelling and that
shows exactly why you’re the right fit for the job.
 How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”
The exact contents of your answer to “Tell me about yourself” will be
highly specific to you, of course, but broadly, it should:
Begin to show interviewers why you’re the best candidate for this
job in terms of hard skills and experience as well as soft skills
Give an overview of your professional history, current role, and
where you’d like to go in the future
Prove that you’ve done your research and know how this job and
company would be a logical next step in your career
Demonstrate that you can communicate clearly and effectively,
connect with and react to other humans, and present yourself
professionally
 The “Tell Me About Yourself” Formula
We recommend this simple and effective formula for structuring your
response:
Present: Talk a little bit about what you are currently doing, like
what you are studying, any extracurriculars, and work if you have
a job.
Past: Tell the interviewer how you got there and/or mention
previous experience that’s relevant to the job and company
you’re applying for. For instance, what past experiences made
you decide on your program of study.
Future: Segue into discussing your goals and how this role fits in
with them, what you’re looking to do next, why you’re interested
in this role, and how you’re a great fit for it.
 Example:
“I’m currently in my second year at Acadia University, where I’m studying
Computer Science. Through coursework and projects, I’ve had a chance to
put my coding skills to work, using Python and Java to solve various
problems. When I’m not studying, I’m either working at the Service Desk
helping faculty and staff troubleshoot any tech-related issues or coding my
own games using Unity. I have pretty much always known I wanted to study
Computer Science. In high school, I started learning to write code for a class,
making me want to learn online for my own hobby projects. Until university, I
was mostly self-taught with Python, so it’s been particularly exciting to be
immersed in this environment. My personal and professional experiences
have only reinforced my desire to merge my CS skills with my interest in
cybersecurity, which is why I knew I had to apply as soon as I saw the junior
web developer role here. I’m excited to apply my skills towards cybersecurity
and learn more about this industry.”
Bonus tips for your
answer
Use these tips to make a great impression
when answering “Tell me about yourself.”
 1
When an interviewer asks that, they really mean
tell me about yourself as it’s relevant to the
position you’re applying for and this company.
Tailor your Take advantage of the opportunity! In order to do
answer. that, you’ll want to spend some time combing
through the job description, researching the
company, and figuring out how you can tell your
story in a way that makes it crystal clear why
you’re interested and what you bring to the table
that aligns with the role and company.
 2

As you know now, the answer to this question is

Keep it expected to be relevant to this role and company.
professional. You should avoid sharing personal details, like
talking about your family and hobbies, unless they
connect very directly to the company or role and
could add value to why you’re a fit.
 3
Keeping your answer professional, however,
shouldn’t stop you from shedding light on why
you’re passionate about your work or about this
company, even if that broaches slightly more
personal territory.
Speak with
passion. You don’t have to go into a huge amount of detail,
but if your goal in an interview is to stand out
among the applicant pool and be memorable,
then infusing this answer with some passion can
help you do that.

Remember: People don’t want to talk to robots—

they want to talk to humans.
 4 You don’t have to relay your entire life story here.
Think of it as a teaser that should pique the
interviewer’s interest and give them a chance to
ask follow-up questions about whatever intrigues
them most.
Don’t There’s no scientifically proven optimal length for
ramble. answering this or any interview question, but 1-2
minutes is recommended.

Read the room as you’re talking. If the other

person looks bored or distracted, it might be time
to wrap it up. If they perk up at one part of your
answer, it might be worth expanding on that topic
a bit more.
 4
You don’t want to wait until you get this question
in an interview to try out your answer for the first
time. Think through what you want to convey
Practice, but about yourself ahead of each interview and

don’t practice saying it out loud.

memorize. It always helps to practice with other people to

hear yourself say it and hear feedback on how
other people are interpreting what you’re saying.

Practice will make your answer stronger and help

you become more confident in giving it.
 Tell Me About Yourself Activity
Find a partner and take turns interviewing each other about your interests, goals, studies,
work, extracurriculars, and involvements. (6 minutes)
With this information, write a script for how your partner could answer “tell me about yourself”
using the Present/Past/Future formula. (5 minutes)
Share your scripts and work together to provide feedback using the Praise, Question, Polish
method​(4 minutes):
Praise: What did they do exceptionally well?​
Question: What questions were you left with?​
Polish: What’s something they could do even better with some practice?​
Let’s debrief!
How was that?​
Was it easier or more difficult to write for
another person?​
What did you learn about yourself? One
another?​
Did any questions come up?
 DURING THE INTERVIEW

Take your time during the interview. Once you’ve been asked a
question, pause for a moment to consider what skills they’re
asking about.
Listen to the question carefully to understand the kind of
answer it seeks. If in doubt, you can politely ask them to repeat
the question, or you can repeat it to them to ensure you
understand it correctly. There’s no harm in seeking clarity. In
fact, just hearing the question a second time or saying it aloud
can help you process it better. Plus, it can earn you some extra
time to think.
At the end of an interview, most employers will ask if
you have any questions for them. This is a chance to
ask questions about the company and the position.

It’s a good idea to prepare these questions in

advance so the interviewers know you’ve researched
the company and what the position entails.
 SOME QUESTIONS THAT YOU COULD ASK:

What qualities do your most successful employees have?

How do you evaluate and define success in this position?
Can you describe a typical day for someone in this role at
your company?
How would I collaborate with my supervisor?
What are the next steps in your hiring process?
When are you hoping to decide on a candidate?
Can I provide any further details that would be helpful in
making your decision?
What type of in-house training programs do you offer?
 QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD AVOID ASKING

1. Questions about money

Generally, it is a bad idea to bring up the topics of money and benefits during
your interview, no matter how tempting it might be.

2. When you can take a holiday

Asking about taking days off during your interview shows that you are already
thinking about not working, and that’s not how you want to be remembered when
the decision for hiring is being made.

3. How well you did during the interview

You might be tempted to ask how well you did during your interview, but it is
always a bad idea. Asking about it before the interview is even over might impact
your chances of getting the job.
More ways
to stand out!
Here are some skills that can make a
big difference in how your interviewers
perceive you.
 That casual conversation you
have right after meeting
someone or while you’re being
escorted to your interview can
feel unimportant, but it’s not.

The goal here isn’t really to

stand out, but to get the other
person to feel more
comfortable chatting with you,
Small Talk so it’s fine to play it safe during
this part of your chat.
 Active listening seeks to go beyond
listening for content, it also focuses
on the intent and feelings of the
speaker.

One way to do this is to paraphrase

or rephrase the question you’ve
been asked. This not only shows that
you have a good understanding of
the question, but it also gives you a
bit more time to think about what you
Active want your response to be. You can
also ask follow-up questions that
Listening show you’re eager to learn more.
 You want the hiring manager to feel
confident in your abilities, and that
starts with the way you talk.

Speaking at a measured pace will

help with sounding calm. You can
get your enthusiasm and curiosity
across by showing that you’ve done
your research and asking follow-up
questions. If you tend to talk a little
Speaking with fast when you’re nervous, practice
speaking a little slower than normal.
Confidence
 Body language is a form of
communication, and it pays to
be mindful of the message
you’re sending with it.

During a job interview, you’ll

want to use it to showcase not
only your best professional
self, but also your genuine
Body personality.
Language
 1. Make a Solid First Impression
Your interview begins as soon as you enter the building. When you
enter the office and connect with the receptionist, executive
assistant, or whomever you encounter, make sure that you maintain
strong eye contact and introduce yourself with confidence.
If you are initially led to a waiting area, avoid the common default of
hunching over your phone. This kind of body language can easily
translate as boredom. Instead, sit upright in a comfortable position
while you wait.
When you meet the interviewer, stand up and introduce yourself with
a warm, genuine smile and a firm handshake.
 2. Make Eye Contact
Eye contact is the basis for making connections and building
relationships. Your listener will only feel truly engaged with you if you
are looking at them, and ultimately, your number one objective is to
engage your listener and make them respond to what you are
sharing.
Avoid looking all around the room, looking down at your watch, or not
making eye contact at all, as it makes you appear distracted.
Remember that maintaining unwavering eye contact without any
variation in your facial expression is just staring and can make an
interviewer uncomfortable or even signal hostility.
 3. Remember Your Posture
How we hold our bodies provides a lot of information at an
unconscious level, like if a person is confident, engaged, shy, or
nervous. Slouching can translate as a lack of energy and confidence,
so ensure you sit up straight and keep your shoulders back rather
than up.
On the other end of the spectrum, being stiff can easily be
associated with being nervous, which is something that recruiters
and hiring managers expect. However, being too stiff can make you
appear uncomfortable or unfriendly, so try to loosen up a little before
your interview.
 4. Be Mindful of Your Hands
Interviewers are trying to get a sense of who you are, so let your
personality shine through! This includes talking with your hands if
that comes naturally to you. Some candidates feel self-conscious
about doing so, but stifling a trait like this can actually lead to
unnecessary fidgeting. So feel free to use your hands to
communicate effectively and genuinely.
Otherwise, when you’re not talking, put your hands in a neutral
position and hold them still to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to
them. The best place for your hands to rest is on the table or desk in
front of you to prevent slouching and have them be available for
gesturing when appropriate. If you are taking notes, put down the
pen when you are done taking notes.
 5. Exit Strong
Remember to leave the interview with the same energy and positivity
you entered with. Smile, shake hands, and thank the interviewer for
their time. Don't forget to place your chair back where you found it
and close the door gently behind you.

If the interviewer walks you to the exit or lobby, be sure to keep your
energy up. You can use this time to ask general questions or make
relevant small talk, whatever feels most comfortable. Even once
you’re alone, if you have to wait for your elevator or ride in a visible
spot, try to maintain your composure until you’re out of sight.
 Section 3

AFTER
 1. Show gratitude
A thank-you note is a simple way to express your
gratitude to the interviewer for considering you.
If you would like to help your message be more
effective, try to send it within 24 hours of the
interview.
This is another chance to convince the interviewer
that you're the best person for the role.
Subject Line:
Thank you for meeting with me
Thanks for your time
Thank you for this morning’s interview
Salutation:
Remember to write down who you interview
with as it may not be the same person who
arranged the interview.
Ask for a business card!
Body:
Thank you so much for chatting with me today. It was such a
pleasure to learn more about the [job title] role, and I’m very
excited about the opportunity to join [company] and help [main
function of role].

I look forward to hearing from you about next steps, but please
don’t hesitate to contact me if I can provide any additional
information.
 2. Send supporting documents
Sometimes an interviewer may request that you
send documents to them after the interview.
If your interviewer has made this request, ensure
you send the documents soon after the interview to
allow them to review them and perform the rest of
their evaluation of your suitability for the role.
 3. Contact your references
References are people who provide the potential
employer with another perspective of your character
and qualifications. Consider reaching out to them
about your interview. You can also send them any
important information you learned if the interviewer
contacts them for more details.
 4. Be patient
Waiting patiently for a response from your
interviewer is a way to show respect, as they need
time to decide and complete the hiring process. If
the hiring manager decides to hire someone else,
consider the situation to be a learning opportunity.
Using the skills, information, and feedback you
gained can help you become more effective in future
interviews.
 THANK YOU!
Now you're ready to
have great interviews!
Assignment #2 (due one week from today):
1. Write out your answer to the interview questions below using the tips covered in this
workshop. Email them to me in a Word document.
“Tell me about yourself” using the Present/Past/Future strategy.
Pick one behavioural question from the handout and use the CAR strategy.
Pick one common interview question from the handout.