for Career Exploration, Career Planning & Employment Services

Students, Job Seekers & Faculty
About Us | Overview of Student Services | Register | Log-In
Alumni | Career Fairs |Faculty | International Students | Internships | Job Search Assistance | Majors | On-Campus Recruiting
Cover Letters | Graduate School Resources | Interviewing | Part-Time Job Database | Résumés | References

Employers & Recruiters
About Us | Register | Report a Hire | Post Jobs | Log-In
Advertise | Career Fairs | Internships | Presentations | On-Campus Recruiting | Résumé Requests

UNO Counseling & Career Center Home | Corporate Sponsors | Quick Links

Interviewing

• Introduction
• Goals of an Interview
• General Interview Tips
• Online Resources

Introduction
The most important part of any job search is the interview. Employers use the interview process not only to gather further information on candidates’ skills and experiences, but also to ensure that prospective employees have a thorough understanding of the job and the work environment. Interviewing is a two-way communication process and the key to successful interviewing lies in careful preparation. It is essential that you research the employer prior to an interview. Find out as much information as you can by reading the organization’s web site thoroughly, focusing on any “careers” or “employment” links. But don’t stop there. Research what other people have to say about the company by searching back issues of newspapers, magazines, and professional journals for recent articles about the company. Knowing about the employer will help you prepare appropriate questions and points to emphasize during the interview.

Goals of an Interview
The primary goal of an initial interview for the applicant is that of "selling yourself" to the prospective employer. You should go into every interview with a clear sense of what you want the interviewer to know about you when you leave. Why do you think you are the right candidate for this job? Is it your educational background, an internship you had last summer, or your four years of volunteer experience? Whatever that important information is, be sure to weave it into your answers. Prepare answers to possible interview questions and practice those answers until you are comfortable giving them. Consider scheduling a mock interview with a staff member in UNO Counseling and Career Center to hone your interview skills.

General Interview Tips

• Ask for directions and parking information when arranging the interview.
• Arrive for your interview 10 to 15 minutes prior to the appointed time.
• Dress professionally. When in doubt, over-dress.
• Smile when greeted.
• Be mindful of nonverbal behavior. Practice good eye contact and posture, and control nervous habits.
• Listen carefully. Be sure you actually answer the interviewer’s questions.
• Speak clearly and professionally. Avoid using “like,” “uh,” and “you know.”
• Be positive. If the employer questions you about possible weaknesses in your background, experience or academic achievement, briefly share factual information and share what you learned from the experience.
• Don’t be afraid of short pauses. Use the time to carefully formulate your responses.
• Speak in complete sentences.
• Avoid using slang terms.
• Be concise. If you tend to ramble, role play and practice brevity.
• If you are generally a quiet or reserved person, learn to elaborate enough to answer a question fully.
• Follow up with a thank you letter or email.
  

Online Resources
Overview of Interviews
Sample Questions an Employer Might Ask in an Interview
Sample Questions an Applicant Might Ask in an Interview
Sample Answers to Critical Interview Questions
Dressing for Success
Dining Etiquette for Interviews with Meals
Interviewing with Domestic and International Firms

Back to Top