Have an upcoming interview and not sure how to prepare? Have questions about what to expect?
The USC Career Center has a variety of resources, services, and events to help you prepare for the interviewing part of the recruiting process. Keep reading for tips on how to prepare and the career center resources available to you to help you during your interview preparation.
Types of Interviews:
Interviews may look different depending on the role, industry and organizations you will be interviewing for. Familiarize yourself with the types of interviews that exist to prepare accordingly. Types of interviews include:
- Technical Interview – Used to your technical knowledge or skills, such as coding, data analysis, or specific software tools.
- Panel/Committee Interview – Involves more than one interviewer asking you a series of questions
- Behavioral Interview – Designed to evaluate your communication, problem-solving abilities, and soft skills through past experiences
- Case Interview – Used to test your problem-solving and analytical skills by presenting you with a hypothetical scenario or business problem to solve
Preparing for Your Interview:
- Review your resume thoroughly – Make notes on the skills you acquired from each experience listed on your resume.
- Do your research – Be sure you research the organization and develop a small list of questions for the employer.
- Dress to Impress! – Have a professional outfit ready for your interview.
- Practice makes perfect – Practice answering potential interview questions. This will help you feel comfortable with the process.
Inteview Day Tips:
- Arrive on time! – Be sure to give yourself plenty of time if you will be going to a location you have never been before for an in-person interview.
- Turn off or silence your cell phone – Make sure no alarms or notifications go off during the interview.
- Being a padfolio – Carry your resume, a notepad, and a pen in a padfolio or any professional folder.
- Make eye contact and smile – These facial cues help build a connection with your interviewer(s).
- Remain calm – Take your time answering questions by being thoughtful with your answers.
Career Center Resources:
- Big Interview – An AI-enhanced interviewing prep tool that provides you with hands-on experience with mock interviews tailored specifically to your industry, job, and experience level
- Mock Interview Appointments – Get real-time feedback from an advisor during this kind of advising appointment. Please email your career advisor at least two full business days before your appointment with your job description and resume if you are looking for tailored questions.
- Management Consulted – An online resource that provides skill exercises needed to successfully master case interviews in consulting and business management or any other industry. This resource includes resumes, interviews, case studies, and finding consulting jobs.
- Request an Interview Room – USC students are able to request one of our interview rooms if you need a quiet space for virtual interviews.
Learn more about how to prepare for your interviews through our Interview Preparation Guide or make an Advising Appointment at the USC Career Center.
