Prepare for Interviews
Show Your Skills. Share Your Story.
An interview helps you demonstrate what you bring to a role and learn whether the opportunity is right for you. Preparation and practice build confidence.
Get Started
Watch the Perfecting the Interview Webinar to learn how to prepare for interviews. Then use the steps and resources below to practice your responses and build confidence.
Prepare for Interviews
Review the job description, research the organization, and revisit your application materials. Identify the skills and experiences the employer may ask about.
Confirm the interview format, time, and location. If interviewing virtually, test your technology and choose a quiet setting.
Unsure what to wear? Review our Interview Attire handout for guidance on choosing appropriate clothing for your interview.
Resources & Tools
Identify examples of your skills, strengths, accomplishments, and reasons for applying. For “Tell me about yourself,” connect your current direction, relevant past experience, and interest in the role.
Use the STAR Method
For behavioral questions, use examples from classes, jobs, research, projects, volunteering, or leadership. Structure your response using STAR:
- Situation: Set the context
- Task: Explain your responsibility or goal
- Action: Describe what you did
- Result: Share the outcome or what you learned
Resources & Tools
Practice your responses out loud, not only in your head. Speaking your answers can help you notice where you need to be clearer, more concise, or provide a stronger example.
Practice Interviewing and record yourself with Hiration: Current Students | Incoming Students | Alumni
Arrive or log in early, listen carefully, use specific examples, and ask your prepared questions. Afterward, note what you learned and send a personalized thank-you email by the next day.
Resources & Tools
Got the Offer?
Congratulations on receiving an offer! Before accepting, review the full opportunity to make sure it aligns with your career goals, priorities, and needs.
What to Consider
Position & Growth: Review the responsibilities, expectations, learning opportunities, and potential for advancement
Work Environment: Consider your supervisor, team, workplace culture, schedule, flexibility, location, and commute
Organization: Research the organization's mission, values, reputation, and stability
Compensation & Benefits: Look beyond salary. Consider health insurance, retirement contributions, paid time off, professional development, and other benefits
Before You Accept
Ask for the offer in writing and confirm the job title, compensation, start date, benefits, employment conditions, and deadline for responding
If anything is unclear, ask questions before making your decision. You can also request reasonable time to review the offer.
Take time to understand the offer before responding.
Salary negotiation is a professional conversation about compensation and the value you bring to an organization. Depending on the opportunity, you may be able to negotiate salary, benefits, or other employment terms.
Prepare for the Conversation
Research Salary Ranges: Compare pay for similar positions based on industry, location, responsibilities, and experience.
Know Your Value: Identify the skills, qualifications, and experiences you bring to the position.
Consider Total Compensation: Review salary alongside health benefits, retirement, paid time off, professional development, and other benefits.
Determine Your Range: Identify a reasonable salary range based on your research and priorities.
How to Ask
Thank the employer for the offer, express your interest in the position, and make a professional request supported by your research.
Example:
"Thank you for the offer. I'm excited about the opportunity to join your team. Based on my research and the responsibilities of the position, I was hoping we could discuss a salary closer to [Your proposed salary]. Is there flexibility in the offer?"
If Salary Isn't Negotiable
You may be able to discuss other options, such as professional development funding, additional paid time off, schedule flexibility, relocation assistance, or a future compensation review.
Remember that some employers have fixed salary structures or limited flexibility, particularly for entry-level positions.
Resources & Tools
Need Help?
Meet with a CLD Career Counselor for personalized guidance on preparing for interviews, practicing responses, evaluating offers, or negotiating compensation.