College Interview Etiquette

The College Interview

Some colleges offer interviews, but colleges use interviews in different ways. In some cases, interviews are required for admission. Other colleges might simply offer or recommend interviews. If you are unclear whether interviews are required or recommended, call the admissions office or visit the college’s web page.

The most important part of the interview is that you demonstrate that you know yourself, know the college or university, and know what you are planning to ask the interviewer.

Types of interviews

☻       “Evaluative” interviews are those for which notes taken during an interview become part of the evaluation of your application.

☻       “Informational” interviews allow students to ask questions about the college, but the conversation never becomes a formal part of the admission process.

☻       “Alumni” interviews can either be evaluative or informational. These interviews enable students to interview with alumni near their home town. It is important that students remember that the alum’s experience of the college may be very different than what the university offers currently.

Why do colleges offer interviews?

☻       If you prepare well, interviews can be a very positive experience. It allows the admission reviewer to know you beyond your transcript, and it allows you to know the college better. When possible, interview with an admissions counselor and always interview on campus, in a public place, or at Loyola Academy.

How should I prepare?

☻       Know yourself, know the college, know what to ask and what may be asked of you. See list of sample questions below.

☻       Colleges anticipate a certain level of nervousness, but try to relax and be yourself

☻       Arrive at the interview fifteen minutes before the scheduled appointment.

☻       Talk to your peers who have experienced the interview process to gain valuable tips. College Counselors, Guidance Counselors, and family members can also help you prepare.

☻       Bring a copy of your unofficial transcript and activities resume, if you have one.

☻       Dress neatly and comfortably and maintain appropriate eye contact.

☻       Be yourself! There are very few wrong answers – college representatives want to see how you think on your feet and want to see your personality come through. Remember, though, that interviewers are not your friends, so use appropriate language and manners at all times.

Who will be my interviewer?

☻       You will usually meet with an admissions staff member, but it may be a student,  alum or professional interviewer. Treat each with respect – whether it is the Director of Admission or a college student.

☻       Be relaxed, but don’t be too informal, even if you are meeting with a student. What do I do when I get to the interview site?

☻       Check in with the receptionist yourself (do not have a sibling or parent do so).

☻       Wait to be called. Meet the interviewer with a firm handshake and introduce your parents.

☻       Be prepared for an interview that could last as little as fifteen minutes and as long as an hour.

☻       Parents are usually asked to wait outside but may have an opportunity at the end of the interview to ask questions.

How should I answer questions?

☻       There are no “right” answers – be honest and positive.

☻       THINK before answering, take your time, and listen carefully.

☻       Speak confidently without boasting. Phrase your comments in terms of accomplishments that mean the most to you. Also be willing to initiate conversation about your achievements if the interviewer fails to do so.

☻       Be an advocate for yourself. If you know that the school is a reach school or if you have determined a weakness in your application, talk honestly and frame your conversation in a positive light.

☻       Watch your language and try to avoid using too much slang. Use your best vocabulary while still sounding like yourself.

☻       Know that colleges are hoping to find a good fit in you – they want you to succeed!

What do I say when they ask me if I have questions for them?

☻       This is a very important part of the interview. It will indicate to the interviewer how much time and preparation you have put into the college selection process.

☻       Don’t ask what is already stated in the literature, unless you need clarification.

☻       Ask questions that allow you to bring up your accomplishments/talents.

What do I do when the interview is over?

☻       Thank the interviewer and ask for his/her business card.

☻       Send a thank you note to the interviewer – it can be typed or hand-written.

Possible Interview Questions

☻       Describe your high school. What have you liked/disliked about your school?

☻       What has been your most/least favorite academic subject and why?

☻       How would your best friend/favorite teacher/parent describe you?

☻       What are your strengths? What would you like to improve about yourself?

☻       What majors are you considering at this point? What has led to that interest?

☻       What courses are you taking in your senior year and why?

☻       What other colleges are you considering and why?

☻       What are you looking for in a college and why?

☻       How did you become interested in our university?

☻       Tell me about your co-curricular activities.

☻       What activity has meant the most to you during high school and why?

☻       What is a significant contribution you have made to your school/community?

☻       What can you contribute to our university?

☻       What issues in the news do you care about?

Questions to Ask College Representatives

☻       What are your strongest majors?

☻       What are your criteria for admission? How important are grades, strength of curriculum, test scores, personal qualities?

☻       What is the average class size? How accessible are the faculty members?

☻       When do I have to declare a major? How easy is it to change majors? Is it more difficult to gain admission if I apply into a certain major (i.e. engineering, biology, business)?

☻       Does your college have a required core curriculum?

☻       What types of internship opportunities are available?

☻       In your opinion, what are the strengths and weaknesses of your college?

☻       What is diversity like on your campus (ethnic, religious, political, geographic, etc.)?

☻       What other colleges do you cross applications with?

☻       What support services are available (tutoring, career counselors, writing labs, personal counseling and support groups, etc.)?

☻       How are AP courses treated? What scores are needed for credit and/or placement?

☻       How many applications does your college receive? What is the acceptance rate? What percentage of students comes back for their sophomore year (retention rate)?

☻       Are courses taught by professors or teaching assistants?

☻       What type of housing is available? Is housing guaranteed? What percentage of the student body lives on campus?

☻       Do students stay on campus on the weekends?

☻       What types of activities and sports does your college offer?

☻       How safe is the campus? What are the incidents of crime on campus and in the surrounding community?

☻       What are the current issues on campus?

☻       Can I have a car on campus? Is a car necessary? How do students get around town?

☻       What kind of annual traditions do your students celebrate?

☻       Do you have application deadlines? Financial Aid deadlines?

☻       What type of student does well here?

Telephone Interview Tips

Telephone Interviewing

Employers use telephone interviews as a way of identifying and recruiting candidates for employment. Phone interviews are often used to screen candidates in order to narrow the pool of applicants who will be invited for in-person interviews. They are also used as a way to minimize the expenses involved in interviewing out-of-town candidates.

While you're actively job searching, it's important to be prepared for a phone interview on a moment’s notice. You never know when a recruiter or a networking contact might call and ask if you have a few minutes to talk.

If this telephone interview has been arranged through an agency/recruitment consultant, you should know exactly when to call the hiring manager, or when they will call you. In other circumstances, you may have to be prepared to receive a call 'out of the blue'.

From the telephone interview, your objectives should be:

v    To obtain enough information to decide if you would like to proceed with the interview process

v    To give enough information to answer the hiring manager's questions and persuade them that you are indeed worth interviewing face-to-face.

v    To close the interview effectively and agree a time, date and place for your face to face interview

Be Prepared

Prepare for a phone interview just as you would for a regular interview. Sometimes telephone interviews are used for preliminary screening and at other times they are essential components of the hiring process. You may not know the situation, so it’s best to be as prepared for your telephone interview as you would be for an in-person interview.

Be thoroughly familiar with your accomplishments, skills and professional history. Make sure that you have researched the organization and the position you are applying for sufficiently to discuss your qualifications in the context of organizational needs. Be prepared to overcome objections to your qualifications or to discuss your weaknesses if asked, just like in a face-to-face interview.

Some tips:

• Keep your resume in clear view, so you can refer to it if needed.

• Have a short list of your accomplishments available to review.

• Have a pen and paper handy for note taking.

• Turn call-waiting off so your call isn't interrupted.

• If the time isn't convenient, ask if you could talk at another time and suggest some alternatives.

• Clear the room - evict the kids and the pets. Turn off the stereo and the TV. Close the door. Eliminate the possibility of background noises intruding on your conversation.

During the Phone Interview

§        Don't smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink.

§        Do keep a glass of water handy, in case you need to wet your mouth.

§        Smile. When you smile, your facial muscles help your voice to sound upbeat and convey a positive image to the listener.

§        Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.

§        Use the person's title (Mr. or Ms. and their last name.) Exercise judgment and discretion before going on a first name basis. If the interviewer introduces themselves by their first name, then you can confirm that first names are appropriate (e.g., “may I call you Jane?”).

§        Don't interrupt the interviewer. Let them finish speaking before you speak.

§        Take your time - it's perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to collect your thoughts.

§        Give concise answers; attention spans are shorter on the telephone.

§        Remember your goal is to set-up a face-to-face interview. After you thank the interviewer ask for the next steps in the interview process. If you remain interested in the job, make it known that you’d be enthusiastic about continuing the hiring process.

After the Interview

§        Review your notes about what you were asked and what you learned.

§        Remember to say "thank you." Follow with a thank you note that reiterates your interest in the job.

10 Reasons Why You're Not Getting Interviews

ü     You’re not selling yourself. The fact of the matter is many people who seem under qualified are getting jobs every day. Why aren’t you? Maybe you haven’t packaged yourself in a way that seems attractive to employers! Our services can help with this by teaching you how to identify your skills and package them in a way that will make an employer stand up and take notice.

ü     You’re not treating the job search like a job. Finding a job takes time. In fact, many job seekers remark that finding a job IS a full time job. In many ways, they are correct. It is vital that you take at least two hours out of each day to actively seek a job—weather it be on the internet, searching through papers or making phone calls—and then send out resumes and follow up with potential employers.

ü     You’re only using one resource to find a job. Don’t rely on just the internet, just the paper or just others to find that perfect job. Make sure you use all available resources! Not sure of what types of resources are out there? Ask one of our skill developers to find out!

ü     Your cover letter is too generic or you’re skipping the cover letter all together. Oftentimes, a cover letter is the first thing people read about you. Make sure it highlights your skills and availabilities—and, more importantly, what you can do for the company you are applying for! If you are skipping the cover letter, this is an important tool not to be overlooked. Use the cover letter to explain any gaps in your work history, to clarify anything that may be lacking from your resume and to tell that hiring manger exactly why you would be the best for their position. In addition, if you are submitting an online resume, be certain to use the body of the email as your cover letter. Not certain how to write a cover letter? Ask one of our skill developers to help you out. Do you think that since you’re not writing a resume, you don’t need a cover letter? We can help you write a skills card that will help you stand out among all of those generic applications and get a leg up on the competition!

ü     You’re not networking. You never know who may know of an opening in your area until you ask, and no one can help you find a job unless they know you need it. Network with family, friends and previous coworkers all know someone who knows someone. Use their connections to your benefit. Also, in smaller com- munities, you never know who may be your next employer. Are you making a good impression everywhere you go? Make sure to smile and greet everyone as if they will be your next boss. In addition, if you are living in a small community make sure when you step out the door you are clean and presentable. You never know who you may bump into!

ü     You don’t have a realistic view of your skill set. If your skills are not what the job requires, there is a slim chance you would ever be hired. It’s likely that there are hundreds of applicants that currently have those skills that are getting the job you want. Need to upgrade your skills? Talk to your local skill devel- opers to find out how!

ü     You are not acknowledging the stress that you are under or how you are handling your situation. Don’t confuse activity with being productive! If you are doing the same thing over and over again, there is no way you could realistically expect different results. In addition, you may be allowing potential em- ployers see your frustration or desperation, which is an automatic turn off for anyone that may come into contact with you. While we understand how upset- ting being out of work can be, don’t allow that to show when coming into contact with a potential employer.

ü     You’re not getting interviews. If you’re not getting interviews, your cover letter and resume are not working. Did you know that, on average, a hiring man- ager will look at each resume for approximately 20 seconds? That’s right, in less than a minute they are making a decision that could change your life. Do your cover letter and resume stand out? Ask one of our skill developers to help you package yourself so that you can make that very important face to face interview a reality.

ü     You are getting interviews but not job offers. If you’ve made it this far, you’re almost there. The interview is one of the most important make-or-break points of the job search. Is your attire appropriate? Do you stumble over questions? Do you make eye contact? Are you giving a firm handshake to everyone you meet? If you know what you’re doing wrong but are not sure how to fix it or if you’re not sure what you can change, talk to your IowaWORKS office skill developers to find out how they can help.

Sample Interview Questions with Suggested Ways of Answering

Q. Tell me about yourself.

A. This is the dreaded, classic, open-ended interview question and likely to be among the first. It's your chance to introduce your qualifications, good work habits, etc. Keep it mostly work and career related.

Q. Why do you want to leave your current job? (Why did you leave your last job?)

A. Be careful with this. Avoid trashing other employers and making statements like, "I need more money." Instead, make generic statements such as, "It's a career move."

Q. What are your strengths?

A. Point out your positive attributes related to the job.

Q. What are your weaknesses?

A. Everybody has weaknesses, but don't spend too much time on this one and keep it work related. Along with a minor weakness or two, try to point out a couple of weaknesses that the interviewer might see as strengths, such as sometimes being a little too meticulous about the quality of your work. (Avoid saying "I work too hard." It's a predictable, common answer.) For every weakness, offer a strength that compensates for it.

Q. Which adjectives would you use to describe yourself?

A. Answer with positive, work-oriented adjectives, such as conscientious, hard-working, honest and courteous, plus a brief description or example of why each fits you well.

Q. What do you know about our company?

A. To answer this one, research the company before you interview.

Q. Why do you want to work for us?

A. Same as above. Research the company before you interview. Avoid the predictable, such as, "Because it's a great company." Say why you think it's a great company.

Q. Why should I hire you?

A. Point out your positive attributes related to the job, and the good job you've done in the past. Include any compliments you've received from management.

Q. What past accomplishments gave you satisfaction?

A. Briefly describe one to three work projects that made you proud or earned you pats on the back, promotions, raises, etc. Focus more on achievement than reward.

Q. What makes you want to work hard?

A. Naturally, material rewards such as perks, salary and benefits come into play. But again, focus more on achievement and the satisfaction you derive from it.

Q. What type of work environment do you like best?

A. Tailor your answer to the job. For example, if in doing your job you're required to lock the lab doors and work alone, then indicate that you enjoy being a team player when needed, but also enjoy working independently. If you're required to attend regular project planning and status meetings, then indicate that you're a strong team player and like being part of a team.

Q. Why do you want this job?

A. To help you answer this and related questions, study the job ad in advance. But a job ad alone may not be enough, so it's okay to ask questions about the job while you're answering. Say what attracts you to the job. Avoid the obvious and meaningless, such as, "I need a job."

Q. How do you handle pressure and stress?

A. This is sort of a double whammy, because you're likely already stressed from the interview and the interviewer can see if you're handling it well or not. Everybody feels stress, but the degree varies. Saying that you whine to your shrink, kick your dog or slam down a fifth of Jack Daniels are not good answers. Exercising, relaxing with a good book, socializing with friends or turning stress into productive energy are more along the lines of the "correct" answers.

Q. Explain how you overcame a major obstacle.

A. The interviewer is likely looking for a particular example of your problem-solving skills and the pride you show for solving it.

Q. Where do you see yourself five (ten or fifteen) years from now?

A. Explain your career-advancement goals that are in line with the job for which you are interviewing. Your interviewer is likely more interested in how he, she or the company will benefit from you achieving your goals than what you'll get from it, but it goes hand in hand to a large degree. It's not a good idea to tell your potential new boss that you'll be going after his or her job, but it's okay to mention that you'd like to earn a senior or management position.

Q. What qualifies you for this job?

A. Tout your skills, experience, education and other qualifications, especially those that match the job description well. Avoid just regurgitating your resume. Explain why.

Q. Why did you choose your college major?

A. The interviewer is likely fishing to see if you are interested in your field of work or just doing a job to get paid. Explain why you like it. Besides your personal interests, include some rock-solid business reasons that show you have vision and business sense.

Rules Of Interviewing

Before stepping into an interview, be sure to practice, practice, practice. A job seeker going to a job without preparing is like an actor performing on opening night without rehearsing.

To help with the interview process, keep the following ten rules in mind:

1. Keep your answers brief and concise

Unless asked to give more detail, limit your answers to two to three minutes per question. Tape yourself and see how long it takes you to answer a question.

2. Include concrete, quantifiable data

Interviewees tend to talk in generalities. Unfortunately generalities often fail to convince interviewers that the applicant has assets. Include measurable information and provide details about specific accomplishments when discussing strengths.

3. Repeat your key strengths

It’s essential that you comfortably and confidently articulate your strengths. Explain how the strengths relate to the company’s or department’s goals and how they might benefit from your strengths. This will make them memorable – if supported with quantifiable accomplishments – they will more likely be believed.

4. Prepare five or more success stories

In preparing for interviews, make a list of your skills and key assets. Then reflect on past jobs and pick out one or two instances when you used your skills successfully.

5. Put yourself on their team

Ally yourself with the prospective employer by using the employer’s name and products or services. For example: “As a member of ___ I would carefully analyse the ______ and ______.” Show that you are thinking like a member of a team and will fit in with the existing environment. Be careful though not to say anything that would offend or be taken negatively. Your research will help you in this area.

6. Image is often as important as content

What you look like and how you say something are just as important as what you say. Studies have shown that 65% of the conveyed message is non-verbal: gesture, physical appearance and attire are highly influential during job interviews.

7. Ask Questions

The types of questions you ask and the way you ask them can make a tremendous impression on the interviewer. Good questions require advance preparation. Just as you plan how you would answer an interviewer’s questions, write out specific questions you want to ask. Then look for opportunities to ask them during the interview. Don’t ask about benefits or salary. The interview process is a two way street whereby you and the interviewer assess each other to determine if there is an appropriate match.

8. Maintain a conversational flow

By consciously maintaining a conversational flow – a dialogue instead of monologue – you will be perceived more positively. Use feedback questions at the end of your answers and use body language and voice intonation to create a conversational interchange between you and the interviewer.

9. Research the company, product lines and competitors

Research will provide information to help you decide whether you’re interested in the company and important data to refer to during the interview.

10. Keep an interview journal

As soon as possible, write a brief summary of what happened. Note any follow-up action you should take and put it in your diary. Review your presentation. Keep a journal of your attitude and the way you answered the questions. Did you ask questions to get the information you needed? Prepare and send a brief, concise thank you letter. Restate your skills and what you can do for the company.

HOW TO FACE AN INTERVIEW

1. Golden Rule: Speak (a) Loudly, (b) Clearly, (c) Slowly

2. You need to make sure that you arrive and are ready to take the phone call about 15 minutes before the scheduled interview time. Please make sure the phone is not busy (or engaged) about 10 minutes before the scheduled interview time.

3. Have a pen and paper ready to take notes during the interview with your resume and verify the resume experience.

4. Be calm and composed before and during the interview.

5. Be enthusiastic during the interview. Smile. They can definitely hear it in your voice. Discuss hot buttons for client.

6. Provide direct and complete answers to all questions that are asked of you. Always research the client’s website before the interview to get an idea of the client’s business.

7. If this is an international call, there may be delay across the phone line. Interviewer to finish talking and then respond to the question.

8. The interviewer begins the conversation with “How are you doing?” You need to respond back with “Fine. How about you?

9. You need to end the interview with. “Thanks for your time. It was nice talking to you and I look forward to being a part of your project”.

10. Always call the interviewers by their first name only. For example, if the interviewer’s name is John Smith, make sure you call him John. Do not call him Mr. John or Sir. Make sure that you write down the names of the interviewers so that you remember to address them by their name during the interview.

11. Find out from the sales representative and recruiter about the requirements of the project for which you are being interviewed prior to the interview. Tailor your answers to best suit the details of the project for which you are being interviewed. For example, if the project is an accounting system, make sure that you highlight any experience that you have with any accounting systems that you have worked in the past. Also, for example, if the project requires Sybase as the back- end database, make sure that you highlight your Sybase experience, if any.

12. Anticipate what the interviewer is looking for and provide intelligent answers to satisfy the interviewer’s questions. If you have not worked on a particular software or version, do not answer saying “No”. Say that you have worked on a similar product or that you are a quick learner and some of the other things you would bring to the table.

13. Never use the words “involved in”. This implies that someone else did the work and that you were assisting them. Either say “I was responsible for”, if you were in charge of the work or “I carried out” if you were part of the team carrying out the work.

14. Never use the words “we”. Always say “I”. This clearly indicates that you did the work.

15. If the line is bad or you can’t hear, never keep saying “Hello”. Simply say “I’m sorry, the line is bad, I cannot hear you. Would you please repeat the question?” Or simply “Would you please repeat your question?”

16. If you do not work for X but for the subcontractor, make sure that you never mention that you work for the subcontractor instead of X. Always indicate that you work for X directly, unless instructed otherwise by the recruiter/ sales representative. Never discuss rates or salary with the client.

17. Make sure that you check with the recruiter/sales representative as to what the interviewer’s expectations are and make sure that you provide a suitable start date.

18. Highlight any special training or certifications you have.

19. Never discuss personal issues with the client.