INTERVIEW

PREPARATION GUIDE
GETTING STARTED AND PREPARING
NACE Career Readiness Competencies 2
Interview Platforms 2
Reflection and Research 3
Researching the Company/Program 3
Performing a Test Run 4
Nerve Calming Techniques 4

THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW

What to Bring 5
How to Dress 5
Arrival 5
Communication Tips 5
Follow-up Questions 6
Making a Strong Last Impression 6

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES

Types of Interview Questions 7
• Traditional 7
• Behavioral 7
• Case 7
Answering Interview Questions 8
• How to Build a Narrative 8
• Decoding the Question 8
Traditional Questions 9
• Tell Me About Yourself 9
• Strengths and Weaknesses 10
Behavioral Questions (The S.T.A.R.R. Method) 11
Case Questions 12

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Thank You Notes 13
Self-Reflection 13
Offers 14
Center for Career Development Resources 15

INTERVIEW PREPARATION GUIDE 1

The Interview Preparation Guide will help you through the entire interview process by providing you
with tools and techniques on how to prepare for an in terview, how to succeed durin g an in terview,
and what to do after an interview ends.

CAREER READINESS
COMPETENCIES
As you read through this Interview Preparation Critical Thinking/ Oral/Written Teamwork/
Guide, you will be encouraged to reflect upon Problem Solving Communications Collaboration
your Career Readiness Competencies as well
as learn about the different ways to
incorporate them into your interview
responses. But what exactly are Career
Readiness Competencies?
Technology Leadership
The National Association of Colleges and

......
m 0
Employers (NACE) rates the most desirable
transferable skills in potential employees each
year. These skills are items that fl
Self-Awareness and
companies/programs identify as essential Professionalism/ Global
Work Ethic Career Management Perspective
when considering new college graduates for
their workplace.

INTERVIEW PLATFORMS
With new technology emerging and talent being sourced from all over the country, schools and
organizations are becoming more creative in the ways they conduct interviews. While a fair amount of
interviewers still follow the traditional in-person, one-on-one format, more and more are breaking away
from this practice and opting for more unique formats involving technology and/or multiple
interviewers.

IN-PERSON PHONE VIRTUAL

Conducted on location where Conducted via telephone, no Conducted via video or other
you meet face-to-face with face-to-face interaction with web interface where you may
your interviewer(s) your interviewer(s) or may not have face-to-face
interaction with your
interviewer(s)

INTERVIEW PREPARATION GUIDE 2

REFLECTION AND RESEARCH
Every question in an interview has a purpose and, in most cases, the underlying purpose is so the interviewer can get a better
understanding of your core Career Readiness Competencies. Before providing your answer to a question, it's important to first
understand what skill/Career Readiness Competency the interviewer is trying to assess with that question.

UCONN
In order to make a positive impression on an
interviewer, you must first know yourself well INTERVIEW SELF-ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET
enough and be ready to articulate your strengths.
Having a strong understanding of your interests, Company/Program Name:__________
CENTER FOR Position Title:_____________
skills, and values as they relate to the CAREER DEVELOPMENT Interview Date: ____________
requirements and qualifications of the position or
program is crucial to a successful interview. 1. Review the position/program description and write down the preferred •nd required qu•lific..tions as listed.
Interviewers will be looking for you to clearly
Preferred Qualifications/Requirements Required Qualifications/Requirements
articulate who you are and what you can offer
them to ensure you are the right individual for the
opportunity. Perform a self-assessment and look
closely at the experiences that have shaped you as 2. Write down the desired skills and Interests you see repeated throughout the position/program description.
a person and as a candidate and be ready to talk
about them.

As you reflect on these situations, it is 3. Reflect on the notes above, as well as the core competencies outlined below, and jot down examples from your past
recommended you also review the position/ experiences that �lign with the position/program ne�s to utilize in your interview responses.

program description to anticipate what questions Critical Thinking / Problem Solving Oral / Written Communication
you may be asked based on the skills and career
readiness competencies preferred or required.
Visit career.uconn.edu/ interviewpreparation
and use the Interview Self-Assessment
Worksheet to help you prepare examples of past Teamwork/ Collaboration Professionalism / Work Ethic
experiences that best showcase the skills a
company/program may be looking for. You can
also schedule an appointment with a career
consultant for additional guidance.

Figure (above): the interview self-assessment worksheet

RESEARCHING THE
COMPANY/PROGRAM
Knowing information about the

applying to, as well as your

potential responsibilities, is also a
critical element of a successful
WHERE TO RESEARCH WHAT TO RESEARCH
• Company/Program • Goals and Initiatives
interview. Not only will your
Website • History
research demonstrate to the
interviewer that you are genuinely • Social Media Pages • Culture
interested in their • Glassdoor • Dress Cade
company/program, it will also help • Linkedln • Mission and Values
you feel more confident in • Handshake • Competitors
articulating why you are the best • Husky Mentor Network • Interviewers/Key
candidate for the opportunity. This • Vault Personnel
knowledge will also help you • Peterson's Graduate
formulate questions to ask at the Search
end of your interview, which we will
discuss later in this guide.

INTERVIEW PREPARATION GUIDE 3

PERFORMING A TEST RUN
In addition to your online research, you will also want to become familiar with the physical location of
the company or program. Review directions to the facility in advance and, if possible, do a practice-run
to the address and prepare alternate travel routes in the event of traffic or unexpected road closures.
Knowing how long it will take to get there, where to park if needed, and how to navigate the facility's
property will help to ensure you are able to arrive 10-15 minutes early for your interview which is
recommended. This extra time will allow you to review your notes, take care of any last-minute
personal needs, as well as acclimate to the setting and help reduce the nerves associated with being in
a new environment.

NERVE CALMING TECHNIQUES

An interview should be conversational not, interrogational, but sometimes your nerves can prevent you
from remembering how to open a two-way dialogue. To help keep your mind clear and focused prior to
and during an interview, try practicing some of the nerve calming techniques outlined below:

STAY
CONSISTENT
Maintain the same daily
routines: bed/wake time,
a
' REWARD
YOURSELF
Give yourself something to
look forward to. Set aside time
breakfast, coffee, etc. after the interview for a special
treat (ice cream, coffee,
conversation with a close
friend, catch up on Netflix, etc.)
MEDITATION
Sit quietly and clear your
mind of non-interview related
distractions; focus on your
• THE
interview performance and S.T.O.P. METHOD1
responses Stop to pause on your thoughts
and what you're doing

0
Take a few deep breaths

00
AFFIRMATIONS Observe what's going on with
your body, emotions, and mind
Recite positive and uplifting Proceed with an intention to
messages to yourself incorporate your observations
regarding your qualifications into your actions

1
Charyk, Chris. "The Mental Trick You Can Use to Get Through Any Stressful Situation." TheMuse, www.themuse.com
/advice/themental-trick-you-can-use-to-get-through-any-stressful-situation. Accessed 28 May 2019

INTERVIEW PREPARATION GUIDE 4

 WHAT TO BRING
What to bring to an interview: What not to bring to an interview:
• A padfolio with paper and pen to take notes • Cell phone: Shut it off or leave it in your car
• Extra copies of your resume, application (if applicable)
materials, and business cards (one per • Oversized and flashy purses, backpacks, or bags
interviewer, plus one or two extra) • Chewing gum and food (unless medically
• Optional: A small briefcase or bag necessary)
• Optional: A water bottle and mints • Parents, family, or friends

HOWTO ARRIVAL
The interview truly begins from the moment you arrive at
DRESS your destination, and your behavior must reflect that. This
includes pulling into a parking lot, arriving at an airport, or
Interview attire can vary across
even activating your webcam for a virtual interview. As
industry or program and is subject to
previously mentioned in this guide, it is recommended you
personal comfort. With that in mind,
arrive 10-15 minutes early for your interview when
it is important to consider the dress
possible. Arriving any earlier puts stress on the interviewer
code of the company/program you
to begin sooner than intended and any later appears
will be interviewing with when
unprofessional.
choosing what to wear.
Proceed with the assumption that the interviewer will ask
For more tips on how to dress and
everyone you come in contact with their opinion of you so
make a strong impression on the
remember to greet everyone you meet in a polite and
interviewer visit http://s.uconn.edu/
confident manner. Also, be sure you are not carrying any
workplaceattire or schedule an
odors that will enter the room before you do, or, linger
appointment with a Career Coach.
after you exit (ex. excessive perfume/cologne, smoke,
food/beverage odors, etc.).

COMMUNICATION TIPS
Your verbal and non-verbal communication has a big impact on the interviewer's perception of your
competence. Below are some tips and tricks specific to verbal and non-verbal communication that you
can use to impress the interviewer.

VERBAL: NON-VERBAL:
• Use formal grammar and avoid fillers such as • Maintain steady eye contact throughout the
"um," "like," and "you know." entire interview. Aim to be making eye contact
• Stick to professional language and approximately 70% of the time.
industry-specific terms when appropriate. Avoid • Avoid fidgeting or spinning in your seat.
colloquial phrases like "you guys." • Maintain good posture - sit forward and alert,
• Listen carefully to questions in their entirety and not slouched in your chair.
respond in a clear, concise, and logical order. • Maintain professionalism even if the interviewer
• Try to avoid skipping questions or asking the assumes a more casual demeanor.
interviewer to repeat any, which may make it • Use hand gestures strategically to add emphasis
seem like you are not listening. Ask them to to answers and demonstrate enthusiasm in a
rephrase instead. non-invasive/distracting way.

INTERVIEW PREPARATION GUIDE 5

ENDING THE INTERVIEW
FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS
At the end of the interview, be prepared to ask a minimum
of 3-5 well thought out questions. These questions should be
a mix of questions you have prepared ahead of time based
on your self-assessment and research of the company/
program as well as questions that may have come up during
the interview. The questions you prepare are intended to
allow you to get a better feel for whether or not the
opportunity and company/program are the right fit for you.
They also show you did your research and have genuine
interest in the opportunity. Asking unique, thoughtful
questions and jotting down notes to the responses will show
the interviewer you are actively engaged and listening.

DO ASK DON'T ASK

• Projects you will work on from the beginning • Salary, hours, or benefits
• Training/orientation opportunities • Housing accommodations
• Current events impacting the company or • Vacation time
program • Holiday schedule
• Company or program's plans for future growth • Controversial topics
• Tailored questions based on your research • Company criticisms
• Next steps in the selection process • Personal topics

MAKING A STRONG LAST IMPRESSION

As outlined earlier in this guide, the interview starts from the moment you arrive on location; therefore,
it's also important to remember your interview doesn't end until you have returned home or
disconnected from all virtual components. Make sure to leave a strong lasting impression as you exit
your interview.

DON'T
• Push in your chair • Leave garbage behind
• Reiterate your interest in the position • Remove or adjust interview attire
• Thank everyone for their time/assistance • Check your cell phone as you're leaving the
(including receptionists, security guards, etc.) building
• Ask for contact information/business cards if
not provided

INTERVIEW PREPARATION GUIDE 6

TYPES OF INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
There are three main categories of interview questions you are most likely to encounter during an
interview: Traditional, Behavioral, and Case.

1. TRADITIONAL 2. BEHAVIORAL 3. CASE

Allows the interviewer to get Allows the interviewer to Allows the interviewer to
a better understanding of assess how you will react to assess your analytical skills
your personality, situations in the future and approach to problem
background, and values. based on your reactions and solving in a real-time
behaviors to similar environment.
situations in the past.

Examples: Examples: Examples:

• Tell me about yourself. • Give me an example of a • How many traffic lights are
• What are your time you motivated others. in New York City?
strengths/weaknesses? • Describe a moment when • Your client, with a steady
• Why are you interested in you worked with a person decline in sales, asked you
this company/program? whose background, to develop a proposal to
values, and beliefs were make them more
different than yours. competitive in the
• Tell me about a time you marketplace. How do you
failed. do this?
• There are two escalators to
come up from the subway
but only one to go down.
Why?

Visit career.uconn.edu/interviewpreparation for additional information on various types of interview

questions and formats including:

• Ethical Interview Questions • Panel and Group Interviews

• Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) Questions • Virtual and Phone Interviews
• Inappropriate/Illegal Interview Questions • All-Day Interviews

INTERVIEW PREPARATION GUIDE 7

ANSWERING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
HOW TO BUILD A NARRATIVE
As mentioned earlier in this guide, an interview is meant to be conversational; delivering your
responses to interview questions in a narrative format will help you do just that.Answering an interview
question should be similar to the way you would carry on a conversation with a friend using detailed
stories and examples.Painting a visual picture through your words not only allows the interviewer to

I I
gain insight into your thought process, but also how those stories and examples will benefit them by
offering you the position.

Plan ahead and think of several Focus on the experiences that are most

I I
situations that you could use to relevant to the position/program you are
answer multiple questions. applying to.

Use a variety of examples; try to It's OK to talk about personal situations or

I
include jobs, internships, volunteer conflicts if related to the particular position but
experience, or academic projects avoid sharing private details.

I
Don't be too literal. Explain every Remain alert to the interviewer's body language
response even if asked for only a few and non-verbal cues to help stay on track and
words. avoid rambling.

DECODING THE QUESTION

Before providing your answer to a question, it's important to first understand what
skill/career readiness competency the interviewer is trying to assess with that question. Having a
good understanding of what the interviewer is looking for based on the requirements of the position
will help you select the best example to speak about in your response. Reflect upon your answers in
the self-assessment activity earlier in this guide to help relate your skills to the interviewer's needs.

The rest of this section will demonstrate how to answer specific types of questions as well as the
career readiness competencies an interviewer may be trying to assess. (Note: the career readiness
competencies outlined in the table below are only for reference and not meant to infer these are the
only competencies assessed by these questions.)

QUESTION TYPE QUESTION COMPETENCIES

(EXAMPLES) (EXAMPLES) CONSIDERED
(EXAMPLES)
Professionalism/Work Ethic
1.Traditional Tell me about yourself. Self Awareness and Career
Management

Tell me about a time you Teamwork/Collaboration

2. Behavioral
took initiative. Leadership

How many traffic lights are Critical Thinking/Problem Solving

3.Case
in New York City? Oral/Written Communication

INTERVIEW PREPARATION GUIDE 8

TRADITIONAL QUESTIONS
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF
This question, or some variation of it, will almost always be asked in an interview. While this question seems
simple, it has layers and depth, so preparing an answer ahead of time will help you make a strong first impression
on the interviewer. Your prepared answer can be about two minutes in length. Use this time wisely; make sure
you do not ramble for too long about one particular activity or experience. How you answer this question sets the
tone for the remainder of the interview so remember to engage the interviewer and show enthusiasm!

WHAT TO INCLUDE WHAT NOT TO INCLUDE

• Explain your background and your story. • Generic opening. Don't begin your response
Explain a little about who you are and why with "My name is_, and I'm currently a _ _
you are interested in the opportunity. How at UConn studying _ _."
did you first know the field was a good fit for • Personal activities. Avoid talking about
you? Choose an aspect of your professional hobbies or interests unless relevant to the
identity that makes you stand out and talk position.
about it. How does your class experience • True confessions. "I'm looking for a new job
connect to this position or program? What because I hate my boss!"
are you currently involved in that may relate? • The commercial. Make your answer genuine
• Provide a brief summary of a few relevant and natural, not rehearsed or robotic.
skills and experiences. Talk about • Lying. Always be honest and focus on the
internships, on-campus involvement, positives; don't just tell them what they want to
academic projects, and volunteer experiences hear.
that match the opportunity you are • The resume. Do not simply repeat or read off
interviewing for. your resume. Instead, summarize key points of
• Discuss your future plans. Where do you it.
see yourself in 3-5 years, and how does this
opportunity help you get there? Explain how
this position or program is the next logical
step in your career path.

EXAMPLE: TELL ME ABOUT 11

YOURSELF."
"I have very vivid memories from the time I was about 5-years-old of my mother telling me I 'was
going to do great things' when I grew up. I've always had an inquisitive side and remember sitting
in my room taking apart toys to find out how and why they worked rather than just playing with
them the way my siblings did. It was that desire to understand the inner-workings of items that
led me to want to major in Civil and Environmental Engineering at UConn. As a rising senior, I
have already completed numerous academic projects and have been actively involved with my
town's Department of Public Works as an assistant to the Town Engineer for the past four years.
Through these experiences, I have learned a great deal about time management, technical
design plans, municipal improvement projects, and leadership which I feel will allow me to excel
in this particular position given the nature of the road rehabilitation and infrastructure
development projects outlined in the job description. I hope to utilize the skills gained from this
internship to obtain a formal position as Assistant Town Engineer upon graduation and
eventually pursue graduate school to obtain the education required to make an impact at a
much bigger level."

INTERVIEW PREPARATION GUIDE 9

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
SPEAKING ABOUT
STRENGTHS:
Choose a skill or a quality you possess that is
relevant to the position, and be ready to provide a few
examples of how you have used that skill in the past. Be TRANSFERABLE
sure to avoid general phrases or traits like "hard SKILLS
working" or "dedicated." Rather, focus on transferable are abilities, attributes, and personal
skills that you can articulate to the interviewer. Back up qualities obtained during your study and
your answer with an example from your resume. When experiences that you can use across industry
did you gain or exemplify this strength? Elaborate with lines.
an example or story rather than just telling them.
Examples include: administrative, analytical,
SPEAKING ABOUT creative, critical thinking, customer service,

WEAKNESSES: interpersonal leadership, multitasking,

organizational, persuasion, problem-solving,
Being able to identify and articulate honest and genuine quantitative , te aching, teamwork,
weaknesses is essential to a successful interview. The technological, time management, and
key to answering this question is to pick a skill or quality verbal/written
that is not necessary for the job or program but is not communication skills.
so unrelated it is superfluous. After you briefly describe
your lacking skill or trait, be sure to describe ways in
which you are improving or planning to improve that
skill. Be as specific as possible when describing what
you are currently doing to improve in this area.

EXAMPLE: WHAT IS YOUR EXAMPLE: WHAT IS YOUR

GREATEST STRENGTH? GREATEST WEAKNESS?
"I would have to say I have strong communication "Since I am most interested in focusing on English
skills, both verbal and written. When I was a camp and language education, I sometimes face difficulty
counselor at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp last with tasks that involve analyzing numbers or other
summer, I had to communicate clearly and types of data. I often excel when class assignments
effectively with campers to ensure they were involve reading and/or writing because that is how
having a fun, yet safe summer experience. I did so I learn best, but I am hesitant and less confident
by facilitating a daily meeting every morning to when working on assignments that involve data
make my campers aware of each day's planned analysis or interpretation. When I first came to
activities, ask which they were interested in UConn, I was excited to find out that there was not
participating in, and get feedback about the a math requirement for my major. I soon realized,
activities that took place the day before. I also however, that I would have to be doing at least
communicated with their family members through some numerical analysis in my work as a teacher,
phone calls, emails, and in-person interactions on so I decided to take a statistics course to develop
visiting days to keep them updated on camp events my skills in this area a little bit more. The course
and their camper's wellbeing. Both my campers was not easy for me; I spent many hours in my
and their parents appreciated my effort to keep professor's office and studying with classmates,
everybody informed and to cater the camp but I was able to finish the course with a B+ and
experience as much as possible to each camper's now feel much more comfortable with numbers."
interests. I know I could bring a strong
communication skillset to a classroom by
effectively communicating in similar ways with
students as well as parents or guardians on a
regular basis."

INTERVIEW PREPARATION GUIDE 10

BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS
THE S.T.A.R.R. METHOD
When answering behavioral interview questions, the best answers usually contain five important
parts. To remember them, use the S.T.A.R.R. acronym, which stands for Situation, Task, Action,
Result, and Relate.

EXAMPLE:
"TELL ME ABOUT A TIME YOU TOOK INITIATIVE."
"I am a resident assistant (RA) at the University of Connecticut. This
SITUATION position requires organized leadership and initiative because I am
Give a brief overview responsible for hosting educational and social programs that are of
interest to 30 undergraduate students in a residence hall on
that provides context. campus."

"When thinking about planning my first educational program of

the semester for the students that live on my floor, I wasn't
exactly sure what topics my residents would want to learn
about."

"Instead of just picking out topics on my own, I conducted a

survey and needs assessment for the students to fill out. I handed
out the survey to my residents, letting them know I would put
ACTION together programs for the year based on their recommendations. I
gave them two days to turn in their surveys by placing them in an
Explain the action envelope outside my door, which was accessible 24/7. I analyzed the
steps you took to results and found that internships, helpful study skills, and a few
approach the other topics were the most chosen. I did some research to
determine whether or not there were many resources on campus
situation.
that had information on these topics. After identifying the
departments, I contacted each one of them to find out if they would
be interested in presenting to my residents."

"Fortunately, I was able to bring in three different offices to give

presentations to my students regarding the topics they expressed
RESULT the most interest in. My residents really enjoyed the educational
programs, and each had approximately 40-60% attendance, which
Remember to include
was drastically up from last year. My supervisor praised my initiative
the outcome of the in conducting the survey and needs assessment in order to develop
situation. programming that my students were truly interested in, and asked
me to share it with my fellow RAs so that they could use it with their
students as well."

RELATE "My ability to think outside of the box and approach all situations in
unique and creative ways, as I did with the needs assessment, will
Explain what you surely be an asset to this position. I understand that there will be a
learned from this lot of project work assigned to the individual that fills this role, and
my approach to tackling challenges head-on, combined with my
experience and how it ability to foster excellent working relationships with project team
will benefit the members, will ensure deadlines are met in the most effective and
company/program. efficient ways possible."

TERVIEW QUESTIONS INTERVIEW PREPARATION GUIDE 11

AND RESeONSES
CASE QUESTIONS
Have you ever had a math teacher tell you to "show your work" on a homework assignment or exam?
Well, that same concept applies to answering case interview questions. When responding to these types
of questions, it is important to clearly articulate your thought process in your narrative as the interviewer
will be assessing your critical thinking skills as opposed to your prior experiences and skills. The
interviewer will expect you to present a conclusion, however, the accuracy of your conclusion is not as
important as the thought process you used to come to it, and your reasoning that supports it.

TYPES OF CASE QUESTIONS AND EXAMPLES:

May require you to conduct financial and/or economic analysis and at
times involve technical math or additional research.
• The global market for wireless headphones is growing at a rate of
BUSINESS 4% a year, yet your client, Earbuds Inc., is seeing a steady decline
in sales. The client has asked you to identify why their sales are
declining and develop a proposal to make them more competitive

I
in the marketplace.
May require you to provide a conclusion in a short amount of time
LOGIC with limited to no resources using only common sense.
• How many traffic lights are in New York City?

BRAINTEASER I May require you to provide theoretical estimates or explanations.

• The city subway system has two escalators going up to the street
but only one going down to the subway. Why?

EXAMPLE:
"HOW MANY TRAFFIC LIGHTS ARE IN NEW YORK CITY?"
"To determine the total number of traffic lights in New York
City, I first would have to take into account the number of
individual lights within the five boroughs of Manhattan,
Queens, The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. According to a
2013 Department of Transportation report I discovered on
ManhattanTrafficlightlnfo.com, there are approximately 21
traffic lights per square mile in Manhattan alone. Operating
under the assumption this is the average number of lights per
square mile for each of the five boroughs, and discovering
through Wikipedia that the square mileage of each borough is
as follows: Manhattan (22.83), Queens (108.53), The Bronx
(42.10), Brooklyn (70.82), and Staten Island (58.37), I was able
to deduce there were approximately 6,355 traffic lights in New
York City as of 2013. Accounting for a 1% increase in lights for
each borough based on changing infrastructure over the past
5 years, I would conclude there are roughly 6,418 traffic lights
in New York City as of today's date."

The information contained in this sample response is purely fictitious and for demonstration purposes only.
It should not be used as an actual response in an interview if asked the same question.

INTERVIEW PREPARATION GUIDE 12

THANK YOU NOTES
Always send a thank you note! Send a short note via email within 24 hours of the interview to each
person who interviewed you. An additional mailed hand-written letter or card is encouraged but not
required. If you met with multiple people, it is recommended you send a personalized letter to each
individual. An example is included below.

• •
Ill Interviewer Be sure to thank them

1111 for their time and

reiterate your interest in
Dear Dr. Smith: the position. Mention
It was a pleasure to meet you this morning. Thank you for your willingness to interview
something you recall
me for the Communications Associate position at ABC Laboratory. Your team really from the interview,
seems to enjoy working there, and I would be fortunate to count myself among them. such as a unique insight
or story. This will make
I was particularly interested in the upcoming advertising campaign you mentioned this
morning to promote the use of more sustainable packaging that is set to be released you stand out as well as
this summer. I believe my prior internship at XYZ Public Relations Firm has provided me show you were really
with a solid foundation to help spread the word about this campaign and other projects invested in the
ABC Laboratory is currently developing.
conversation you had.
Please Jet me know if you require any additional information from me. I look forward to Lastly, thank them again
hearing back from you about the next steps. for their time and
inquire about additional
Sincerely,
steps.
Jonathan Husky

SELF-REFLECTION
It's a good idea to perform some form of self-reflection within 24 hours after the interview while the
details are still fresh in your mind. Performing a self-reflection helps you identify areas you think went
well during the interview as well as areas you'd like to improve upon. This will help you debrief your
experien ce, prepare for additional interviews in the future, and help you decide if the company or
program is the right fit for you.

Visit career.uconn.edu/interviewpreparation to find the Interview Self-Reflection Worksheet to help

you reflect after an interview or schedule an appointment with a career consultant for additional
guidance.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW PREPARATION GUIDE 13

INTERVIEW
OFFERS
Occasionally, companies/programs may extend offers on the spot, however, they may also need
additional time to interview and assess remaining candidates. Regardless of when you receive an offer it's
recommended that you not say "yes" or accept immediately as this will cause you to lose your chance to
negotiate if desired. When responding, first thank the individual you are speaking with for the exciting
news and reaffirm your enthusiasm for the position. Then ask if you may have some time to review the
offer. Demonstrating enthusiasm does not tip your hand for negotiations later. The scripts below can
help provide you with guidance on how to respond when you receive an offer.

Grad School Program Script

TIP: REQUEST "Thank you very much for reaching out to me, this is great
news! It was a pleasure getting to know everyone
YOUR OFFER IN throughout my interview process and I look forward to the

WRITING prospect of continuing my education

at_ _ _ in the_ _ _ _ program. While I am
Requesting your offer details in extremely excited for this opportunity I was hoping I might
writing is important to making have some time to further review the details of my offer
before confirming my acceptance. Could you please advise
sure you and the
when you would like my decision by?"
company/program are on the
same page with your offer
details and there are no
Company Script
"Thank you very much for reaching out to me, this is great
unexpected surprises. Seeing news! It was a pleasure getting to know everyone
all details of the offer beyond throughout my interview process and I look forward to the
what was extended verbally, prospect of working with them at
not only helps you make an _____ . While I am extremely excited for this
informed decision and opportunity I was hoping I might have some time to
further review the details of my offer before confirming
negotiate appropriately, it can
my acceptance. Would you be able to send me an official
also be a visual aide to help letter in writing outlining the details of this offer as well as
you balance multiple offers. when you would like my decision by?"

After having the above conversation, we

recommend you call the Center for Career
Development as soon as possible to schedule a
career coaching appointment. A Career Consultant
UNABLE TO SCHEDULE
can help guide you through how to accept or
decline the offer, how to balance multiple offers or
AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE
ask for more time, and how to negotiate the offer. CENTER FOR CAREER
These types of conversations should usually be DEVELOPMENT?
had withan employer about 48-72 hours after the
Visit www.career.uconn.edu and
offer is extended.
search "salary" for more information on
how and when to negotiate an offer.
Do not accept an offer that you do not intend to
keep; going back on an offer, also known as
reneging, reflects poorly on you as a professional
and can have negative future implications on your
career. The Center for Career Development also
recommends that you cease any additional job
searches upon acceptance of an offer.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW PREPARATION GUIDE 14

INTERVIEW
CENTER FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT
RESOURCES
The tips and techniques shared in this guide are great starting points to help you prepare for future
interviews however they are not exhaustive of the support the Center for Career Development is able to
provide. Visit career.uconn.edu to learn more about the ways we can help you prepare for your interview
or check out some of our featured resources below.

PRACTICE Participating in a practice interview with the Center for Career Development can
hep you make your best impression on an employer or program representative.

INTERVIEWS These appointments are designed to expose you to traditional and behavioral
style interview questions in a simulated interview role-play as well as provide you
with personalized feedback and best practices for real interviews in the future.
Log-on to your Handshake account to schedule a practice interview with a Center
for Career Development staff member.

PRESENTATION Interviewing presentations and workshops are open to all individuals interested
in learning more about the process of interviewing. Each event is designed to
AND WORKSHOPS provide interviewing tips and strategies that focus on some of the toughest
aspects of interviewing. Visit the Center for Career Development's event calendar
to find out when the next interviewing presentation or workshop will be offered.

BIG INTERVIEW Big Interview is a self-paced virtual interviewing website that allows you to read
c ontent,view sample questions, and c onduc t practice interviews using your own
-:�� biginterview web cam. The program allows you to select customized interview questions by
industry or career readiness competency to help you feel more confident in your
responses. In addition, Big Interview offers video-based lessons that help you
navigate the interview process from start to finish based on how much time you
have to prepare. These lessons provide valuable information on topics including
analyzing the job description, interview best practices, answering inappropriate
interview questions, and more. Access Big Interview by visiting
uconn.biginterview.com and clicking "Register". Be sure to use your UConn
e-mail address when creating an account.

HUSKY MENTOR The Husky Mentor Network is an on-line mentoring platform that connects you
with alumni and key professionals within UConn's vast network for one-on-one
NETWORK career conversations, resume critiques, practice interviews, and more.
Connecting with alumni in the field can help you gain an advantage by learning
how to showcase your skills and experiences from professionals who were once
in your shoes. Visit uconn.firsthand.com to start connecting with alumni.

CAREER Career on Demand is a vast on-line library that houses videos on a variety of
career-related topics, accessible to UConn Nation 24/7 via their computer, tablet,
ON DEMAND of mobile device. Visit career.uconn.edu/ccdondemand to learn more.

SUPPLEMENTS AND Our carefully researched and hand crafted supplements will provide you with
additional information related to alternative interview formats including all-day

QUESTION BANK interviews, panel and group interviews, and more. In addition, our extensive
question bank will provide you with industry specific sample interview questions
to help you further prepare and practice your responses. Visit
career.uconn.edu/interviewpreparation to browse these resources.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW PREPARATION GUIDE 15

INTERVIEW