Interviewing

Designed to help employers get a feel for who you are and what makes you unique. Employers will listen to your responses for statements that reflect their goals, values, and needs as related to the position you are seeking.

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why are you interested in our organization?
• What interests you about this job?
• What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
• What are your long-term goals?
• Why are you the best candidate for this position?

Designed to discover how you have handled situations in the past. The best way to respond to behavioral questions is to use the STARR method.

• S: Describe the SITUATION
• T: What TASKS did you identify that needed to be completed?
• A: What ACTION did you take?
• R: What was the RESULT of the action?
• R: REFLECT. What did you learn?

Behavioral questions require more preparation. Make sure to reflect on experiences from part-time jobs, class projects, student organizations, and volunteer experiences.

• Give me an example of a time at work when you had to deal with unreasonable expectations.
• Tell me about a time when an unexpected event interrupted your work plans. How did you handle the situation? What was the outcome?
• Tell me about a time when you successfully prioritized your goals and objectives.
• Tell me about a time when you felt it necessary to compromise your own needs to help others.

Designed to test your ability to think analytically under stress with incomplete information.

• Listen carefully to the material being presented. Take notes if you'd like and be sure to ask questions if you need additional details.
• Take your time. If you need a minute to collect your thoughts, say so.
• Offer a general statement or framework at the beginning to serve as an outline.
• Focus on key, broad issues first.
• Orient your answer towards action. Suggest specific steps that can be taken rather than just theory.
• Be conscious of resources. If it relates to the problem, ask the interviewer about the budget, capital, and other resources that the client can allocate to the situation.

Simulate Success

A mock interview is a true simulation of an interview. Students submit their resume and a job or graduate school description or posting so the facilitator can prep questions. The session is recorded and discussed after the conclusion of the interview so you get the full view of non-verbal communication. 

Mock interviews need 3–5 business days to schedule. Please plan accordingly.

Undergraduate Students

All mock interview requests start with scheduling a mock interview appointment in Nittany Lion Careers. Once scheduled, make sure to complete the mock interview intake form in the follow-up email sent directly to you.

1. Log on to Nittany Lion Careers as a Current Student
2. On your home page, click Counseling Appointment
   1. First time in Nittany Lion Careers? 
      Make sure to follow the prompts to complete your profile before trying to schedule an appointment.
3. Click the blue Request New Appointment box
4. Select Counseling Type as Mock Interview
5. To see all available scheduling options, scroll down to the Counselor(s) field. Leave all other fields blank. Select CS Mock Interview 1
6. Scroll to the bottom and click on Check Availability
7. Choose and click on a highlighted time for your mock interview
8. Navigate to the Confirm Appointment box
9. Choose your Meeting Format (In-Person, Phone, or Virtual)
10. Add any information that you would like us to know in Additional Appointment Details or include the class name and information if scheduling for a class assignment
11. Submit
12. After you request your mock interview appointment, you will receive an email with a link to complete the Mock Interview Intake Form. This form must be completed and submitted in order to approve your appointment request, so please follow the directions in the email.

Graduate and Professional Students

Send an email to csmock@psu.edu with your name, contact information, and a preferred timeline. Staff will reach out to get details and schedule an interview.

Your interviewer will research the organization or industry that you are interested in interviewing with. Preparation on your end is key to make the experience worthwhile.

• Know yourself. Identify strengths, weaknesses, and prepare to provide examples of your skills in action.
• Research the organization and industry.
• Dress appropriately for the mock interview. Dress as you would for an actual interview.
• Prepare to participate in a feedback session. Your interviewer will discuss the verbal content and the nonverbal communication demonstrated in the interview.

We are happy to consider requests to include Career Services Mock Interviews in course, club, or organization assignments. 

Due to high demand and limited staffing, all course assignment requests must be pre-approved by our office.  

• Please complete the following questionnaire to initiate the review process with a preferred lead time of at least 3-4 weeks

Assignment requests will be reviewed based on timing, volume, demand, and available staff.  We will respond to your request within 5 business days after receiving your form. If for any reason we are unable to approve your request, we will offer alternative options in an effort to accommodate your needs. 

Please note that our Mock Interview program offers behavioral and traditional interviews, with a degree of customization to the specific position or industry.  We are unable to offer specialized case interviewing experiences at this time.  If you are interested in that type of assignment, please contact our office to discuss alternative options.

Nothing says that you're ready for a new position like a great professional look. Consider the company culture and position you are applying for when making professional dress decisions.

• Business Professional: Wear a pant or skirt suit with a dress shirt or blouse. Coordinate your tie and shoes with the outfit and make sure to pair with dress socks or stockings.
• Business Casual: Usually dress pants or a skirt with a collared shirt. Khakis or neutral colored pants with a polo, sweater, or blouse always look great. Shoes can be more casual.

Make the look work

• Make sure to iron your outfit when needed. Keep strong scents to a minimum and make sure to rock a smile and a confident handshake.
• Start with a neutral color base like black, navy, gray, brown, and white to build a base wardrobe. Mix in colors and patterns to give yourself a variety of options while keeping key elements professional and interchangeable.
• Your outfit can be a great way to express yourself and your culture. When in doubt, be a tad more conservative but never shy away from the chance to show who you are.
• Consider company culture. Depending on the company and culture, you may be expected to dress differently at your workplace. When starting a new position play it safe with something more professional. See how others dress at work, ask your HR representative what is acceptable attire, and go with what seems natural to you.
• A poor fit can throw off an entire professional look. Invest in something fit for you or visit a local tailor to have items adjusted to best suit you. A good fit will make you more confident!
• Everyone looks their best when they are comfortable and relaxed. Wear your interview or work outfit around to make sure it works for you and is comfy. Make sure your shoes are broken in.

Need a professional outfit?

Visit the Professional Attire Closet in the Bank of America Building to grab a free professional outfit for an upcoming career event, interview, or career fair. Learn more about the program now.

• Know who you're meeting with. Take time to review the itinerary prior to arrival to know what to expect, research who you're connecting with, and put faces to names.
• Be on time. Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to catch your breath and allow time to find where you need to be. If traveling to a site location spend the night before mapping out distance and account for traffic.
• Silence your cell phone and any other electronic alerts prior to the start of the interview
• Offer a handshake and maintain eye contact. Be enthusiastic about the opportunity.
• Use a professional portfolio to carry your documents. Bring extra copies of your resume, samples of relevant work, references, and a pen. Take notes for questions or a follow-up email thanking the recruiter for their time.

Show that you are engaged and an active listener by asking your interviewer questions. This is your chance to get a feel for company culture, advancement and professional development opportunities, and company growth. Asking questions is an important step within an interview to demonstrate interest and curiosity, and most importantly, to show that you care enough about the opportunity to ask for further information.

• What are the most challenging aspects of the job?
• What are some of the most immediate priorities or projects for the person entering this role?
• Why do you enjoy working for this organization?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the organization or department?
• What are the goals of the department? Of the company?
• What is the management style of the organization?

Never forget to follow-up and follow through after an interview. Taking the time to contact a recruiter with a thank-you note and any requested documents shows initiative and reliability.