Practice Interview Summary
This document lists many of the skills employers and admissions officers seek when evaluating candidates. The Career Center will use this matrix – and other
materials – to provide feedback to you in a practice interview. As you prepare for your practice (and real) interviews, we encourage you to review these skills.
Verbal
communication
skills
Listening skills
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•
•
•
•
Spoke clearly and articulately in a positive manner
Demonstrated confidence in knowledge
Used professional language
Controlled verbal fillers such as ''um', uh, like"
Used tone of voice that reflected enthusiasm
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•
Answers reflected an understanding of the question asked
Responses to questions were:
o Direct: specifically addressed the question asked
o Concise: focused on the question asked
•
Appeared engaged, poised, and composed:
o Body language conveyed appropriate level of eagerness to respond
o Sat in an upright manner; seemed natural and at ease
o Appropriate and consistent eye contact
o Gestures were appropriate
•
Connected background and skill sets, including transferable skills, to
position/industry
Articulated the value of previous experiences through concrete examples, such as:
o Academics (classwork), and/or
o Work / Internships / Practicums, and/or
o Volunteer service, and/or
o Extra-curricular activities
Non-verbal
communication
Ability to
communicate
value of prior
experience
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Preparation
and interest
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Comments
(optional)
Demonstrated an understanding of and interest in the position/ company/ industry
Was prepared for the interview (through research, appropriate attire, understanding
types of interview questions)
Reaffirmed interest in the position and reviewed fit between strengths and the
position
Asked thoughtful and relevant questions of the interviewer
Occasionally
Often
Consistently
(unclear on the
concept or concept
not applied routinely)
(understood the
concept, but did not
always apply it)
(understood the concept
and regularly applied it)