This document provides guidance on how to prepare for and conduct yourself during a job interview. It discusses the goals of an interview from the perspective of both the job seeker and employer. Key points covered include dressing appropriately, researching the company, having relevant documents prepared, understanding different types of interviews like behavioral and phone interviews, answering situational questions using the STAR method, asking questions at the end, and avoiding common mistakes. The overall message is that preparation, research, and presenting one's strengths are important for making a great impression and increasing the chances of getting a job offer.

1. Interviewing: Would you hire you?

2. What are some of the goals of a job
interview?
 to get a job offer
 to figure out if a position is right for you
 to provide potential employers with a stronger
sense of why they should hire you, your skills, how
you stand out
 to figure out if you “fit” into the culture of their
organization

3. First Impressions:
 Socioeconomic status
 Education
 Desirability

4. Male Interview Attire

5. Female Interview Attire

6. How can you best prepare for a job
interview?
 Dress appropriately - depends upon business;
“dress for the job you want”
 Back up documents - e.g., writing samples, copy of
resume, transcripts, references; letters of
recommendation (portfolio)
 Research the company - Google the company, talk
to people about what they know, BBB, Chamber of
Commerce
 Directions- make sure you know how to get there

7. Understanding What to Expect
 Conversational (Traditional)
 Phone interview
 Behavioral

8. Types of Interviews: Conversational (Traditional)
 typically a question-and-answer discussion
 usually a relatively short interview (e.g., 1 hour)
 interviewer’s main goals are to:
 assess whether or not the job-seeker has the skills and abilities to
perform the job
 evaluate whether or not the job-seeker possesses the enthusiasm
and work ethic that the employer expects
 analyze whether or not the job-seeker is a team player and will fit
into the organization

9. Types of Interviews: Phone Interviews
 Brief interview to see if you can present your qualification verbally
with minimal time and effort.
 Interviewer’s goals are to:
 Determine if interviewee is worthy of an in person interview.
 Investigate whether you communicate information that would
weed you out of the applicant pool. (e.g. Unrealistic salary
requirements, personal preferences).

10. Types of Interviews: Behavioral
 interviewer’s main goals are to:
 assess candidate’s behaviors and approaches by exploring
specific situations
 analyze past behavior to try to predict future performance
 interviewers will expect to hear about specific situations
and/or scenarios
Ex: “Tell me about a work situation in which their was a conflict
that you had to resolve and how you resolved it.”

11. Answering Situational Questions
 identify the skill or type of situation sought so that you can best focus
your answer
 give a STAR answer:
 Situation—what was the circumstance?
 Task—what was the specific problem or need?
 Action—what did you do? (produce, write, create, etc.)
 Results/resolution—what did you learn? what skills did you develop?

12. STAR Example
Can you tell me about a time from your work experience when
your manager or supervisor was unavailable and a problem
arose?
 Situation
quickly explain the situation—what happened? who was
involved (e.g., clients, coworkers, customers)?
 Task
what was the particular problem that needed to be
resolved?
 Action
what specific action did you take to resolve the problem?
what did you do or produce?
 Results/resolution
what were the results of your action? what did you take
from this experience?

13. Before the Interview
 sleep
 eat
 choose your clothes the night before
 prepare the materials you want to bring with you—
ideally, this is done long before the interview

14. End of Interview
 Thank all interviewers for their time (Thank you
card)
 Make sure they know you want the position
 Ask about the next step in the hiring process
 What is the time frame in which you can expect a
response?

15. Common Questions:

“Tell me about yourself.”
Hint: They’re not asking for your life story. Give a brief statement of your professional
status and career objective

Why do you want to work here?
Hint: Provide information about the company gathered from research and let them
know you fit into the culture of their organization

What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Hint: Choose and strength and weakness before the interview. The weakness may be
a characteristic or skills you’re lacking; always indicate how you are improving the
weakness.

Why should we hire you?
Hint: This is the time for your 30 second commercial. Reiterate your strengths and
qualifications.

16. 30-second commercial
 My name is Tom Smith and I will be receiving my Bachelor of Science
degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, with a minor in Drafting
from the University of Houston, in May of 2013. During this past summer,
I held an internship with FormTex where I designed and developed
innovative packaging for food, medical, and utility products.
 I am a team-player and a leader holding officer positions in several honor
societies and professional associations. As I look toward graduation, I am
very interested in utilizing my education and drafting skills within the
engineering industry. I researched your organization and believe that my
strengths will fit well within your Manufacturing division. I am open and
interested in any suggestions that you believe will benefit me and my
future career.

17. Top Interview Bloopers
1. Poor handshake and poor eye contact
2. Talking too much (talking too long/not answering direct
questions)
3. Talking negatively about current or past teams, coworkers,
employers/managers
4. Showing up late or way too early
5. Treating the receptionist rudely

18. 6. Asking about benefits, vacation time, or salary in an initial
interview
7. Not preparing for the interview
8. Verbal ticks (“uhmm”, “like”, “you know”)

19. Thank you!
Cynthia E. Olmedo
University of Houston
College of Technology
ceolmedo@uh.edu