Interview Tips
Brought to you by PWBS
Available Resources
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Career Services
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Schedule Mock Interviews
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½ Hour and 1 Hour Interviews
HPAB Interviews
Tips on Website:
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/underg
rad/interviewing.html
Frequently Asked Questions
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Describe yourself in 3 adjectives.
How would your friends describe you?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
What is your greatest asset?
How would you handle an irate client if the complaint were against
the organization's policy?
Describe a situation when you had to learn a large amount of
material quickly. How did you do it?
Why are you interested in this field of work?
How do you relieve stress?
Tell me about your experience on a part-time job.
Of what accomplishment are you most proud?
What do you think is the most important/difficult ethical dilemma
facing our industry today?
How do you get people to do things they don't like to do?
What do you like to do for fun?
Activity
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Turn to your neighbor and ask the following
questions:
Where do you see yourself in five
years?
 Of what accomplishment are you most
proud?
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Difficult Interview Questions
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I see you received a very low grade in X. Why?
Where do you think employment with this company will take you five years
from now?
You strike me as graduate school material. Why are you applying for jobs?
What is one of your weaknesses?
What major problem have you encountered and how did you handle it?
What have you learned from your mistakes?
Describe a group work situation where you and your partner were having
trouble getting along with each other. How did you resolve the problem?
Describe a situation when you were faced with a deadline that you couldn't
meet. How did you handle it?
What is the one question you don’t want us to ask you?
Give me an example of how you are a risk taker.
Tell me something that is not on your resume.
How much do you think you will be earning in ten years?
Give me an example of a time your ethics were tested and
how you responded and reacted.
Activity
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Turn to your neighbor and ask the following
questions:
Tell me about a time when you failed at
something.
You work in a library, and a book has been
misshelved. How do you find it?
Attire
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When in
doubt, be
more formal.
Women
Suit
Shirt or
Blouse
Accessories
Grooming
•Solid/pinstripe/glen plaid suit
in black/navy/gray (skirtsuit or
pantsuit)
•Separate blazer/pants/skirt
combo
•White or pastel blouse Silk or
Cotton material
•Shoes – Dark leather pumps are
ideal; Open toed shoes/Sandals
are not appropriate!
•Jewelry – Subtle and minimal
•Bag – Briefcase or a tote. NOT
a bookbag
•Hair – Well groomed hairstyle
•Nails – Conservative color polish
•Perfume - Minimal
Follow Up
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Send a thank you letter within 48 hours!
State specific things you discussed during the
interview
Email notes are acceptable as well, and are
frequently preferred by recruiters who are on
the road
Employers on Why Interviews
Don’t Go Well
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The student didn’t really know why s/he applied for the position and
how it fits into her/his career path. Think through this beforehand
and be able to articulate it.
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The student is confused about what the organization does. Be sure
to take the time to learn what they do and be able to discuss it.
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The student is not enthusiastic. It’s OK to smile and be excited! You
set the tone for the interview, so demonstrate your enthusiasm!
Overheard on Locust:
Firsthand Advice from the Pros
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Go in thinking ‘I’m the shit’.
Do your research
Take a few seconds to gather your thoughts
before answering a tough question
Rehearse with a friend
Thank your interviewer and receptionist on
your way out