Before the Interview Get your career goals in focus – Identify your main strengths related to the job – Gather specific accomplishments to back up your skills Research the company Find out the dress code in advance and dress accordingly Practice with yourself or with a friend

During the Interview First impressions count! – Be on time, or even a little bit early – This allows you to relax and feel comfortable Start strong by beginning on a positive note – Use open-ended questions as the opportunity to respond with your main strength Send the right body language – Sit up straight, maintain good eye contact, use gestures if appropriate, and relax!

During the Interview Speak clearly and concisely – Keep your responses specific Ask relevant questions to increase your understanding of the job – This also shows the interviewer that you have done your research on the company as well. Close positively – Emphasize again your strong points

Questions to Ask Your Interviewer “What’s Your Ideal Employee Like?” – This question will give you an idea as to the working style of your boss, and whether or not your styles are similar “How Do You Measure Success on the Job?” – If you want to excel at this job, you need to know how that will be determined by your boss. You may also want to ask about the typical career path for successful employees (you want to work for a manager who recognizes and rewards excellence).

Interview Stress Visual Realization – Picture yourself succeeding in the situation – Practice a few days (or hours) before the interview to help build confidence Don’t Just pause – Flub a question? It’s OK! – When you feel yourself starting to panic and lose focus, take a deep breath and tell yourself ‘You can do it!’ – Take a 10 second pause to re-collect yourself

Tough Questions How to prepare for the tough questions you know you will have to answer: – ‘Future’ Question Don’t focus on specific career plans, but talk about things that are professionally important to you and how you will achieve them – ‘Why’ Question It may be hard to praise yourself, so practice in front of a mirror Be confident, not boastful

After the Interview Write a letter or – Add pertinent information you might have left out during the interview. – Reiterate your interest in the job Ask about your timetable and follow up with a phone call – Cordially inquire and reiterate your interest again

Need Practice? Career Services has “InterviewStream” – Web–based tool to practice customized interview questions from home or at the Career Services Center – Don’t have a web camera? You can practice recording your interview at Career Services Center during Express Advising hours Monday – Thursday 1:30-4:00pm. "On Camera Practice Interviewing for Jobs & Internships" – A small group setting, practice typical interview questions and receive immediate feedback. – career.ucsd.edu for more info.

Workshops with More Interview Tips “Interview to Win” “Interview Interactive for Health Professional School Applicants” – Learn strategies for success Visit Career Services Center for information on how to sign-up – On library walk

Advising Services Career & Internship Advising by Appointment – Call Walk-in Career and Internship Advising – Express-15 (15 min. drop in sessions) – Mon-Thurs. 1:30- 4 pm Professional and Graduate School Advising – By appointment only – Call Advising Online – Use ‘Quick Questions’ for answers to simple questions