PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

Researching Yourself
1. Think back on your previous experiences (work,
academic, extracurricular) to determine the skills and
abilities used in each.
2. Develop a list of your five to seven strongest skills for
a particular position. Also, review the work-related values
inventory, selecting the nine top values as factors to help
you find the right organizational fit.
3. Work with a counselor to explore your skills,
interests, personality style, and values as they relate to
your career choice.

Researching the Position/Field

1. Review CDC and online resources describing various
career fields.
2. Talk with personal contacts and alumni—available
through the Stanford CareerConnect
(alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/career) about the nature
of their work and the organization they represent. The
Guide to Informational Interviews, available on the CDC
website, will help you prepare for this kind of
informational interview.
 3. When a job description is available, list the key skills
being sought so that you can match your skills/strengths
with the needs being listed. It is helpful to develop an
example from your experiences to demonstrate each skill.

Researching the Organization

1. View CDC publications and resources listing
information on specific employers.
2. Visit the organization’s website.
3. Review the resources in the Rosenberg Corporate
Research Collection located in Jackson Library at the
Business School.
4. Prepare questions to ask about the organization during
the interview (see QUESTIONS TO ASK
EMPLOYERS section).

Mock or Practice Interviews

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT! Review the commonly
asked interview questions and prepare answers in
advance. You don’t want to appear rehearsed, but you do
want to sound prepared. The more practice you have
answering typical questions, the better able you are to
convey your ideas in a clear, concise manner.

1. Attend one of the many Interviewing Workshops

conducted each quarter at the CDC.
 2. Use InterviewStream, via your Cardinal Careers
account, to conduct practice interviews.

3. Talk with a CDC counselor about how to present

yourself most favorably in an interview.

Preparing for Questions

1. Whenever possible, answer questions using specific
examples to support your response. Think of the
acronym STAR (situation or task, action, and result),
a simple three-step process that will enable you to
focus on specific experiences to support your
responses:

• Situation or Task—describe a task or project for

which you had responsibility

• Action—talk about the approach you took to deal

with the situation

• Result—discuss the outcome of your action,

making sure to mention accomplishments or
improvements resulting from your action
Emphasize the most relevant and impressive aspects of
your background and qualifications (including paid and
volunteer work).
3. Stress that the skills you have developed in the past are
transferable to the employer’s organization.
4. Speak in positive terms about previous experiences and
employers.
5. Don’t be afraid to talk about accomplishments and
skills (assume that what you don’t tell an interviewer,
she/he won’t know). Also, don’t assume they have read
your resume in depth.
6. If possible, include an example (either extracurricular
or in a work situation) of your ability to work as a part of
a team.

TYPICAL STAGES OF AN INTERVIEW

The First Impression
1. Introduction and greeting
2. Small talk (brief, informal conversation on a topic of
mutual interest—keep comments short)
3. Employer is looking for a firm handshake, eye contact,
appearance and dress appropriate to the organization, ease
in social situations, good manners and poise
 Discussion of Background and Qualifications
1. Education
a) relevance of coursework to career interests
b) willingness to work hard
2. Work experience
a) relevance of skills developed to position being sought
b) motivation, enthusiasm
c) initiative
d) willingness to follow directions
e) ability to get along with others, team player
3. Extracurriculars
a) diversity of interests
b) social conscience
c) leadership or teamwork/organizing ability

Determination of Your Career Goals

1. Preparation for employment
2. Knowledge of opportunities
3. Graduate school plans (best to describe as at least two
years in the future)

Demonstration of Your Interest in the Organization

1. Knowledge of and genuine interest in the organization
2. An opportunity to ask informed and relevant questions,
to learn more about the employer
 Conclusion
1. Next steps in the interviewing process are discussed—
ask for the organization’s time-line in the decision-
making process if one is not mentioned
2. Volunteer to provide additional information (i.e.,
references, transcript, etc.)
3. Thank the interviewer for his/her time
4. Ask for a business card—this will be helpful when
sending your thank-you letter

Review
1. Go over the positive and negative points of each
interview and modify your responses
2. Learn from your mistakes and build on your strengths

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Introductory
• Why did you choose to attend Stanford?
• What are some of the greatest personal challenges you
have faced during your lifetime?
• What motivates you?
 Skills and Personal Qualities
• What skills or personal qualities do you possess that
will help make you successful in today’s job market?
• Tell me about yourself (ask what type of information
the employer is looking for, skills? personal
background?).
• What special skills do you possess that would make
you stand out from other candidates?
• Describe a frustrating or challenging experience
you’ve encountered and tell me how you dealt with it.
• Discuss some of your past leadership/teamwork roles
and your accomplishments in them.
• Why should our organization hire you?
• Who was the most difficult person you have ever dealt
with, and how did you handle the situation?
• Can you think of a specific situation that reflects your
ability to show initiative? Describe it.
• What is your greatest weakness, what have you done to
try to overcome it?

Career Goals and Objectives

• What are your long range career goals and how are you
preparing to achieve them?
• Why are you interested in this industry/occupation?
• Why do you want to work for our organization?
• What do you see yourself doing in three to five years?
 Extracurricular Activities and College Experiences
• Please describe your most rewarding college
experience.
• If you could re-live your college experience, what
would you do differently?

Academic Programs
• What factors influenced your choice of a major?
• What were your favorite and least favorite courses?
• What is your grade point average and how do you feel
about this?
• Are you satisfied with your academic
accomplishments?
• What courses gave you the most difficulty?
• How has your coursework prepared you for this
position?

Work Experiences
• What did you enjoy most about your most recent job
experience?
• Please elaborate on your most relevant work
experience.
• What do you see as your major strengths as they apply
to this position?

Accomplishments/Achievements
• What else would you like us to know about you?
 • Of what accomplishment are you most proud?

Knowledge of Organization/Industry
• Why did you select our organization with which to
interview?
• What attracts you to this industry?
• What do you know about our organization?
• Why do you think you’d like working for our
organization?

Salary and Benefits

• When comparing one company offer to another, what
factors will be important to you besides starting salary?
• What salary range are you expecting? (If possible, you
may want to state that you are more interested in the
content of the position at this point and would be happy to
discuss salary when an offer is presented).

Unusual Questions
These questions seldom have right or wrong answers.
Even though the questions may not seem to be job-
related, employers may try to determine your confidence
and creativity through your answers.
• If you could be any fruit which would you choose and
why?
• Think about your favorite product. Now think up five
better names for it.
• Tell me a story.
• How would the world be different if you had never been
born?
• If you had to choose to be one of these three life forms;
a lemming, a sloth, or an earthworm, which would you be
and why?

Illegal Questions
Employers may ask questions to learn about a candidate’s
motivation and personality. Such questions can relate to
former job responsibilities and outside interests. Inquiries
into an applicant’s: RACE, COLOR, AGE, SEX,
RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, MARITAL
STATUS, PAST ARRESTS, ALCOHOL AND DRUG
USE, CREDIT HISTORY, CHILDBEARING PLANS or
AGE are illegal.
• An interviewer may not ask about your religion, church,
synagogue, parish, the religious holidays you observe, or
your political beliefs or affiliations.
• An interviewer may not ask about your ancestry,
national origin, or parentage; in addition, you cannot be
asked about the naturalization status of your parents,
spouse, or children. The interviewer cannot ask about
your birthplace. However, the interviewer may ask
whether or not you are a U.S. citizen or a resident alien
with the right to work in the U.S.
• An interviewer may not ask about your native language,
the language you speak at home, or how you acquired the
ability to read, write, or speak a foreign language. But,
he/she may ask about the languages in which you are
fluent, if knowledge of those languages is pertinent to the
job.
• An interviewer may not ask about your age, your date of
birth, or the ages of your children. But, he/she may ask
you whether or not you’re over eighteen years old.
• An interviewer may not ask about maiden names or
whether you have changed your name; your marital
status, number of children or dependents, or your spouse’s
occupation.
Illegal questions are often asked unintentionally. If you
feel you are being asked an illegal question during an
interview you can legitimately, but politely, refuse to
answer. You might say, “I’m not sure of the relevance of
that question, can you tell me how it specifically relates to
this job?”

QUESTIONS TO ASK EMPLOYERS

It is important to have prepared questions to ask of each
employer; these questions will indicate your interest in the
position and organization. Additional questions may
occur to you during the course of the interview.
 About the Organization
• What is it about this organization that attracted you in
the first place and has kept you here?
• How would you describe your organization’s style of
management?
• How will industry trends affect this organization within
the next 3-5 years?
• How does the organization define a successful
individual?
• What is the method of feedback/evaluation used by this
organization?
• What do you see as your organization’s strengths and
weaknesses?

About the Position

• Can you describe recent projects on which a person in
my position has worked?
• What is the common career path for people entering the
organization in this position?
How are people trained or brought up to speed with
regard to their responsibilities?
• What type of person tends to be successful in this
position? What type of person are you looking for?
• How and when is performance evaluated?
 Inappropriate Questions
Inappropriate questions include those that ask what the
organization will be doing for you if you’re hired; i.e.,
What salary can I expect? How much vacation time will I
accrue? Are you willing to pay for graduate school? etc.
You can find the answers to these questions later, if
employment is offered.

SEND A THANK-YOU LETTER

The most important aspect of a thank you is to send it
promptly within three to four days of the interview. If you
do not have access to a computer, then hand write your
thank you on a note card. It is also possible to send it via
email if the recipient has offered her or his email address.
The more time that elapses, the less enthusiastic you will
be about writing it, and the less impact your letter will
have on its reader.
When you have interviewed with a number of
individuals in one day, as you might in a site interview,
address the thank you to the person who seemed to
coordinate the day. You can make mention of the others
with whom you spoke and ask the coordinator to convey
your thanks to them as well. The letter provides an
opportunity to continue building the rapport that you
began during your initial meeting.
The letter is a vehicle for:
• acknowledging the individual’s participation in your
interview visit
• thanking them for insights shared
• highlighting a specific aspect of the organization which
you admire

REASONS FOR REJECTION

• LACK OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE. An interviewer
cannot determine where you fit into the organization until
you explain your career interests and applicable skills.
• LACK OF COMPANY KNOWLEDGE. Most
employers make information about themselves readily
available, especially if they recruit on campus.
• LACK OF QUESTIONS. When employers ask if you
have any questions for them, a negative response
indicates a lack of interest on your part.
• LACK OF ENTHUSIASM. Employers want to hire
someone who is excited about the prospect of working
with their organization.
• LACK OF CONFIDENCE. If you doubt your ability to
do the job, an employer will also experience doubt.
• POOR COMMUNICATION SKILLS. The employer
must be able to hear you, understand your words, and
follow your train of thought. Otherwise, no matter how
qualified you may be for a job opening, you put yourself
at a disadvantage.
 • UNPROFESSIONAL APPLICATION OR
APPEARANCE.
It is true that you only have one opportunity to make a
first impression. If your resume is sloppy or has typos,
you are at an immediate disadvantage and may not even
get an opportunity to interview. Additionally, if you
present yourself at an interview inappropriately dressed,
an employer may decide you wouldn’t fit into their
organization.

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
Screening Interviews
These are usually shorter interviews used for the purpose
of conducting a brief evaluation of a candidate.
Employers are usually looking for reasons to screen an
applicant out. On-campus interviews, typically 30 minutes
in length, are screening interviews. Job offers typically do
not come as a result of this interaction.
One-on-One Interviews
These interviews are quite common and involve the
candidate being questioned by one person.

Phone Interviews
Upon receipt of a candidate’s application materials some
organizations will call to conduct a brief phone interview.
It is important to remain composed if you get such a call.
If the timing of the call is inconvenient, let the employer
know. Ask if you can call them back at a more convenient
time. Also, while conducting a phone interview, arrange
to have a copy of your resume and cover letter in front of
you to use for reference.

Panel/Committee Interviews
This scenario involves a panel of interviewers each with
questions to ask. These interviews are common for
government, academic and some corporate positions. It is
important to establish eye contact with each member of
the committee early in the interview.

Case Study Interviews

Some organizations, especially management consulting
firms and companies recruiting for entry-level training
programs, rely on case study or situational questions to
evaluate a candidate’s analytical skills.

Second Round or Site Interviews

Often, the interviewing process entails several rounds of
interviews. If you are considered a serious candidate, after
the first interview you may be contacted for a second on-
site interview with other members of the organization. If
travel arrangements are involved, usually the company
will pay for your expenses and make the necessary travel
and lodging arrangements. Site interviews usually consist
of a series of interviews with several individuals including
your potential supervisor, co-workers, and higher-ranking
staff members. These interviews can range from very
casual to very technical. You may spend a half or whole
day interviewing, which may also involve a luncheon,
dinner meeting, or social activity.

Stress Interviews
Although many interviews can be nerve-racking, some are
designed to cause the applicant stress. The interviewer
may ask confrontational or particularly difficult questions.
It is important to remain calm and think carefully about
your answers. Don’t be afraid to take time to think
through your answers and don’t get tricked into losing
your temper. The purpose of these types of interviews is
to evaluate your behavior and maturity in difficult
situations. Stress questions are most commonly used for
those positions in which your reaction to stress is critical.
Helpful Hints
• ARRIVE EARLY. Ten to fifteen minutes can provide
you with a cushion should some unforeseen problem
occur.
• BRING ALONG EXTRA COPIES OF YOUR
RESUME. If the interviewer has misplaced your
information this will assist them and add to your image as
a prepared person.
• MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT. Unwillingness to look
someone in the eye is often taken as evasiveness.
• ASK FOR CLARIFICATION. If you’re confused by a
question, ask the interviewer to restate it. This shows
poise on your part and allows you to answer questions
appropriately.
• BE YOURSELF. Interviewers respond well to those
candidates they feel are being sincere.

INTERVIEW ATTIRE—GUIDELINES FOR WHAT

TO WEAR

What kind of suit is appropriate for the interview?

According to Julie King in The Smart Woman’s Guide,
women should dress “stylish but conservative.” Opt for a
fashionable business suit in a low-key color such as navy,
black or gray. Patterns are acceptable if they are
extremely subtle, such as a fine dress tweed or pin stripe.
The jacket should have long sleeves, with a straight or
pleated skirt. A coatdress, with clean, simple lines, is also
acceptable attire. Again, subtle colors. Men should wear a
two-piece, single-breasted suit in navy, black or charcoal,
wool or wool blend, and solid or very thin pinstripes. If at
all possible, avoid the shiny polyester.
What about accessories?
Women should carry a small, simple purse. Men, if you
are not yet in the habit of carrying a wallet, now is the
time to start, and the place for it is in one of the inner
chest pockets of your suit. A brief case is not necessary.
However, a leather portfolio or notebook holder is a good
idea for on-site interviews; on campus, a notebook to hold
a few extra resumes would be appropriate. Now is the
time to wean yourself from your faithful backpack.
What is the correct skirt length for business?
Whatever is the most flattering to both your legs and
your profession. Consider what happens when you sit
down in a short skirt. Would you be comfortable?
Does it matter what kind of tie I wear?
Yes. You should wear a tie that matches your suit.
Bright yellow, pink and the “power tie” concept are no
longer the vogue. Wear a conservative tie with a simple
knot.
What do you mean when you say “conservative tie”?
Silk in a simple stripe or repeating pattern, with no more
than three colors. The background color should be neutral
perhaps navy, dark gray or burgundy, a paisley tie, in
muted dark colors, is modern yet conservative for young
men.
Can I wear a pantsuit to the interview?
A pantsuit can be very smart and professional looking
provided that the jacket is tailored to fit with matching
slacks and is worn with a simple no-frill, no-tie blouse.
However, if you are unsure of a company’s policies
regarding proper dress, call the personnel office for more
information.
What are the appropriate shoes to wear?
 For men, shoes should be leather, black or brown, and
polished with no worn down heels. Plain lace-up shoes
are the traditional footwear. Slip-ons work as well if they
are dressy and in good taste. Business socks should be
over-the-calf, never ankle length or even slightly droopy,
and should match your pants or shoes. White athletic
socks—never!
For women, the best shoes are plain pumps with one- to
two-inch heels. You can go higher if you don’t feel tall
enough, but make sure you can still walk quickly and
steadily. Shoes should be comfortable and of high-quality
leather in black or the color of your suit. Wear sheer
stockings in a skin tone. Never wear black or opaque
stockings with light or white shoes.
I was told to dress casual for my interview—what is
casual?
Never wear jeans, T-shirts, tennis shoes, sandals or boots
to an interview. Appropriate business casual is usually a
pair of slacks, shirt, and sports jacket.

I have only one suit. How can I change my look?

Your suit should always be clean and professionally
pressed, worn with an all-cotton, well-ironed white or
possibly light blue, long sleeved dress shirt. Wearing a
different tie can dramatically change the look of your suit.
A woman may accent her basic outfit with a different
blouse, or she may add a scarf or a simple small pin.
I do not own a suit and I do not have a lot of money to
purchase one. Where can I shop to find an inexpensive
one?
You can find suits, dress shirts, blouses, and shoes that
are very inexpensive and in good taste at thrift shops,
Salvation Army, discount stores, consignment shops and
outlet stores. Remember that the key is a simple style in a
conservative color. If you find a dark suit with contrasting
buttons, replace them with buttons the color of the suit,
have it cleaned and professionally pressed, and you will
look like a million!
Is it appropriate to wear perfume or cologne?
It is nearly impossible to tell how strong a fragrance your
own perfume or cologne is emitting. What seems like a
pleasant whiff of scent to you may overpower someone
else. In addition, your interviewer may be allergic. So,
why risk it? Don’t wear any scent at all, and no, a little
dab is not OK. The most attractive scent is your natural,
fresh smell after a bath or shower, plus deodorant. If
unscented antiperspirant works for you, stop there!
If you smoke, avoid smoking in your interviewing outfit.
Cigarette odors cling to your clothes for several hours and
smoking to most employers is an undesirable habit.
What kind of jewelry should I wear?
Less is better. Too much jewelry or wrong jewelry can be
considered distracting and can elicit negative responses.
Women should wear post or simple earrings, no dangles,
and a plain bracelet, if any. A dress rule that pays off:
never wear jewelry that is not functional and keep it
simple.
I have worn an earring throughout my college years.
Is it okay, as a man, to wear it to my interview?
It is not in your best interest because it breaks the rule of
executive dress. This style of jewelry is all right when you
are with your friends or even in some work environments,
but it is out of place for the job interview.
Should I wear makeup?
If you choose to wear makeup, keep it understated.
Iridescent eye shadow, glossy red lipstick and inch-long
lashes (unless they are naturally long) should be avoided.
Opt for a healthy, natural look. Your nails should be short
with clear or pale polish.
Should I cut my hair to look more professional?
It is not necessary for you to cut your hair, but you should
wear it in a groomed style, off your face. It is distracting
during an interview to constantly have to push your hair
from your face. Your hair should be neat and clean, as
well as attractive.
Men should shave and trim their mustache. Beards are
probably best left to grow after you get the job. You may
want to call the personnel office for information regarding
the company’s policy on facial hair.
Do these guidelines apply to all organizations, or just
the corporate world? What if I’m interviewing for a
job with a less formal environment?
Every industry has its own requirements, and knowing
what to wear on the day of the interview is vitally
important. Always think about the impression you want to
make and what clothes will make that impression.
If you are interviewing for a job in a less formal
environment, then it may be acceptable for men to wear
slacks, a sports coat and a shirt and tie. Women can wear
a simple dress or matching skirt and blouse. Whatever
you decide should be clean, pressed, and help you look
your best.
In the final analysis, creating a first impression is mostly a
matter of common sense. Pay attention to your
appearance, your body language and manners, and you
will go a long way towards convincing interviewers that
you are the kind of professional they want to hire.

GUIDELINES ON BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

How can I make the most of my time at business
functions?
There are several things to keep in mind. Both men and
women always stand when meeting someone or being
introduced. Remember to make good eye contact, have a
friendly smile and a good, firm handshake. If you are at a
large gathering and you do not know anyone, take the
initiative to introduce yourself by using your first and last
name only and provide some brief information about
yourself. Read body language and be aware of infringing
on others. Ten minutes is about the right amount of time
to stay with a group before moving on. During your
conversation, avoid incorrect terms such as ANYWAYS,
YEAH, YOU GUYS, and repetitive phrases such as
YOU KNOW and STUFF LIKE THAT.
If I am invited to dine during the interviewing process,
how can I best use this time?
Remember—building rapport is the most important
aspect of the meal. You are still in the application process.
I am unsure of what food I should order.
Do not order the most expensive or least expensive food.
Avoid messy or unfamiliar food and those with drippy
sauces or bones. Above all, do not order alcoholic
beverages. But if your host orders one, ask for mineral
water with a twist of lemon or lime. You need to remain
as alert as possible. Order only the basic salad, main
course and beverage or food similar to your host. Do not
change your order or send food back unless there is a
major problem, then handle it discreetly.
What should I do if my napkin slides off my lap or I
drop a piece of flatware?
Once you are seated, the napkin goes on your lap. Should
you leave for any reason during the meal, place it loosely
folded on your chair. If you should drop your napkin or a
piece of flatware on the floor, ask for a replacement. Do
not wipe the flatware with your napkin.

Many times, there are several utensils at a place

setting. Where do I start?
Remember that your bread plate is on the left and your
water glass is on the right. When using flatware, start
from the outside and work your way in. For example, first
your salad fork, then your dinner fork. Once you use your
knife, never place it back on the table. Place it diagonally
to the right of your plate (unless you are left-handed) or
across the top of your plate. Use only your knife and fork
during the course of the meal and cut only one piece of
food at a time. Never talk with food in your mouth.
Community foods such as bread and butter, if it is nearest
you, offer it first to the person seated at your left, then
pass it to the right after helping yourself. Food is always
passed to your right.
Should I offer to pick up the check?
If the check is placed in front of you while interviewing,
ignore it. Your host will ask for it when ready. Never
offer to share payment, especially since you are the
invited guest. Women, after your meal, do not apply
make-up at the table or leave lipstick smudges on the
glass or coffee cup. Blot before eating.
FINAL CHECKLIST
Your appearance is only as good as your grooming. You
want your experience and qualifications to shine. Your
appearance should enhance your presentation, while your
business etiquette should highlight your professionalism,
not overwhelm it:
• Make sure your hair is clean, neatly trimmed, and well
groomed.
• Use makeup conservatively.
• Women: no runs in stockings
• Men: dark socks that cover the calves of your legs.
• Shoes polished.
• Women should avoid excessive jewelry; men should
refrain from wearing earrings and chains.
• No missing buttons, crooked ties or lint.
• Remember, during lunch, dinner, or social functions
with a potential employer, you are still in the interviewing
process so be on your very best behavior.