Interviews
Interviewing Techniques
"Congratulations, you have been selected for an interview!"
Upon receiving this news, most students are thrilled. But wait - it isn't enough to show up 10 minutes early, freshly groomed, wearing your best suit, with extra copies of your resume neatly packed in your brand new portfolio. You need to PREPARE for that interview.
- Call Career Center at (631)632-6810 to make an appointment with a counselor for a mock interview
- Browse the Career Center's Library resources
The Basics on How to Prepare for an Interview
- Approach the process with confidence in yourself and have a positive attitude from the beginning.
- Know yourself-your career goals, your interests, your strengths.
- Know everything that's on your resume and be prepared to talk about your experiences IN DETAIL. Recruiters say that candidates who clearly express their abilities by sharing stories from their experiences are the most successful. Why did you choose your major? How did you secure your summer internship or part time job? What did you learn from the experience?
- Know the company and know the job. That means research! There's no excuse NOT to do research - the WWW is at your fingertips, and more companies are offering more information than ever about their products, services, fiscal health, recent developments, company structure and corporate culture, and hiring needs. Spend time learning about these companies.
- Think about how your skills and interests fit with what the company is looking for - what you can contribute and how you can add value to the organization. And be ready to tell them!
- Be ready to provide examples that demonstrate you using a particular skill or reaching a specific goal. You can talk about anything - an internship, a part time job, a class project or extracurricular activity. Don't worry about having experience that exactly matches what the job entails; showcase your skills and abilities and explain how they would be useful to the company.
- Be ready to tell the interviewer "a little bit about yourself," and focus on your career goals and your interest in the organization.
What do Employers Look for in an Interview?
A campus interview usually lasts about 20-30 minutes. Some of those minutes may be used by the employer to explain aspects of the position or company, or to answer your questions. So, you don't have that much time to impress - make every minute count! Below is a guide to help you understand the flow of a typical campus interview, and understand the recruiter's point of view.
Stage 1: First Impression
Introduction & greeting: Small Talk. Firm handshake, eye contact. Appearance. Good manners, poise, friendliness.
Stage 2: Your Record
Education: Reasons for choice of school & major. Grades: Effort required for them. Special areas of interest Courses enjoyed most & least; reasons. Achievements, toughest problems. Value of education as career preparation. Reaction to teachers. Intellectual ability. Knowledge breadth & depth. Relevance of coursework to career interests.
Stage 3: Your Career Goals
Stage 4: The Company
Stage 5: Conclusion
Sample Interview Questions you may be asked
There's no way to tell exactly which questions you will be asked, but if you prepare, you'll be able to answer questions like these easily:
- What are your short term and long range career plans? How will you achieve them?
- What do you really want to do in life?
- What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?
- What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
- Tell me about yourself.
- What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
- What qualifications do you possess that make you think you'll be successful in your career?
- In what ways will you contribute to our company?
- What kind of supervisor would you want to work for?
- Tell me about an accomplishment that gave you much satisfaction. Why?
- Describe your most rewarding college experience.
- Why did you select SUNY Stony Brook?
- What college subject did you like best? Least?
- If you could do it all over, would you plan your academics differently? Why?
- What have you learned from your extracurricular experiences?
- Describe a problem you encountered on a team project. How did you handle it?
- What have you learned from your mistakes?
- How do you work under pressure?
- In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable?
- What do you know about our company?
- What are the two or three most important things for you in a job?
- What criteria do you use to evaluate the company for which you hope to work?
- Do you have any questions for me?
Dress for Success
Are you unsure of how to dress for an interview? Read on for, how you can dress successfully.
In short: Dress Smart.
You've impressed the employer into giving you that first interview. Now, all you have to do is impress them into giving you the job. Nothing says more about the first impression than your clothes. Take this chance to show the employer what you have; professionalism!
Generally, employment interviews will be either Business Formal or Business Casual. Unless you are told specifically that the interview is business casual, plan for business formal attire. Don't be swayed by the dress code of the employees - to impress during an interview means that you are on your best behavior, and in your best outfit!
Above all else, be clean!
Men:
- Business Formal - Suit and Tie Dos
- Head - Neat Hairstyle - short, trim, and well-groomed hairstyles work better than long, messy ones. Wear light scented cologne.
- Neck - Complimentary Tie - silk with a conservative pattern.
- Suit - Jacket and trousers are a must! Dark, solid colors are best (Black, Navy, and Dark Gray).
- Shirt - White collared shirt is safe, blue otherwise, but do not wear button down collared shirts.
- Belt - Always have a belt on.
- Socks - Dark "dress" socks should match the suit. Leave your gym socks at home!
- Shoes - Oxfords or loafers. Clean and polished please!
- Business Formal - Suit and Tie - Don'ts
- Head - Bead hair - no hats/caps! NO heavy scented colognes.
- Face - Shave! Avoid facial hair and the 5 o'clock shadow look.
- Neck - Always have a tie.
- Suit - Clean and Pressed!
- Socks - Leave your gym socks at home!
- Shoes - NO sneakers, tennis shoes, or running shoes.
- Business Casual - Shirt and Slacks - Do's
- Head - Neat Hairstyle - short, trim, and well-groomed hairstyles work better than long, messy ones. Light scented cologne.
- Neck - No tie necessary.
- Suit - Collared shirt and slacks. Jacket is a nice addition but not required.
- Socks - Dark "dress socks" that match the slacks. Leave your gym socks at home!
- Shoes - oxfords or loafers. Clean and polished please!
- Business Casual - Shirt and Slacks - Don't
- Head - NO hats or caps! NO heavy scented colognes.
- Suit - NO pocket or logo t-shirts or shorts! Business Casual does not mean just Casual
- Socks - Leave your gym socks at home!
- Shoes - NO open-toe slippers or sandals.
Women:
- Business Formal - Dress or Pant Suit - Do
- Head - Neat and well-groomed hairstyle. Light perfume.
- Suit - Jacket and trousers/skirt or dress a must! Preferably matching.
- Shirt - Collared shirt in light or pastel colors.
- Hands - briefcase instead of a purse.
- Socks - Conservative hosiery at or near skin color.
- Shoes - closed-toe, low heels or flats. No high heels or platform shoes.
- Business Formal - Dress or Pant Suit - Don't
- Head - NO Frizzy, out-of-control hair. No heavy scented perfumes.
- Face - Avoid heavy make-up.
- Suit - NO short skirts or tank tops!
- Socks - NO runs in hosiery (bring an extra pair).
- Shoes - NO open toe shoes, sandals or Birkenstocks!
- Business Casual - Fashionable Variations - Do
- Head - Neat and well-groomed hairstyle. Light perfume.
- Suit - Many choices and combinations to choose from:
- Cardigans and twin sets with dress slacks.
- Knee-length dresses. Absolutely no sun-dresses.
- Mixing and matching colors.
- Socks - conservative hosiery at or near skin color.
- Shoes - closed-toe, low heels or flats. No high heels or platform shoes.
- Business Casual - Fashionable Variations - Don't
- Head - NO unkempt hair. No heavy scented perfumes.
- Face - NOT too much makeup.
- Suit - NO provocative and suggestive clothing. Skin-tight pants a no-no!
- Socks - NO runs in hosiery.
- Shoes - NO sneakers, tennis shoes, or running shoes.
If you are still unsure, you may call the company's Human Resources department and ask something like this:
"I have an interview with ________ in the ________ department for the position of ______. Could you tell me what would be appropriate dress for this interview?"
Remember: Being overdressed is better than being underdressed.
What's in your Interviewing wardrobe?
Dressing professionally does not have to mean dull, stiff, or boring.
When compiling your interviewing wardrobe, always remember quality over quantity - especially during your years in college. Having one great suit and a few shirts that will last will be to your benefit. Professionals and employers will relate to poor college students having a limited wardrobe, but it does not make an excuse to be inappropriately dressed!
Here are a few things you should have in your interviewing wardrobe at a minimum (which means you should have at least these items).
Men:
- 1 suit - jacket and trousers, dark color and matching
- 2 shirts - 1 white, 1 blue. Button-down preferred
- 1 tie - matching shirt, suit, or both.
- 1 belt - matching shoes (in color).
- 1 pair dress socks - dark, matching suit.
- 1 pair oxford or loafers - matching belt (in color).
Additional Tips:
- Remove the jacket and tie to have a business casual outfit.
- Add a short-sleeve collared shirt for a business casual look. No Hawaiian shirts!
- Best part is that you can use this wardrobe for other occasions - weddings, parties, and other social gatherings.
Women:
- 1 suit - jacket and trousers (skirt/dress optional), dark color and matching
- 2 shirts - 1 white, 1 blue or light pastel.
- 1 belt - matching shoes
- 2 pair of dress socks or hosiery at or near skin tone.
- 1 pair of low-heel or flat shoes (black/navy).
Additional Tips:
- Add in cardigan or twin set to have a business casual outfit.
- Add a shirt with the season's latest color
- Use accessories conservatively to complement the outfit. Do not over do it!
- Bring a portfolio to hold copies of your resumes.
- Best part is that you can use this wardrobe for other occasions - weddings, parties, and other social gatherings.
Mock Interviews
What better way is there to prepare for an interview than by practicing your responses to typical interview questions with a counselor? This is a great way for you to try out your answers in a non-threatening environment. Our counselors will provide feedback, and give you some pointers on ways to improve, if necessary. If you wish, we will videotape your session, so you'll have accurate feedback on your non-verbal presentation skills.
To get the most from a practice interview, attend a career seminar on Interviewing Skills, prepare your responses, and bring extra copies of your resume (no need to dress up). Stop by the Career Center to schedule an appointment.
