Screening Interview

Many interviewing processes begin with a phone or virtual screening interview conducted by a recruiter or human resources professional. This interview aims to confirm that the candidate has the necessary qualifications to meet the needs of the advertised role and to assess any preferred qualifications the candidate may possess.

Preparing for Screening Interview:

• Thoroughly read the job description and confirm that you meet the basic qualifications of the role, including years of experience, degree requirements, specific software, tools, and knowledge, as well as how many preferred qualifications you fulfill.
• Have a firm understanding of your own resume, including the chronology of roles, major accomplishments, and listed skills.
• Research the employer to learn about the product or service provided, basic history, competitors, and why you want to work for that employer.
• Prepare questions to ask recruiter about this position to express your interest in this role at this company. Questions will help you evaluate if this position is a good fit for you.
• Consider how your interests, skills, and values align with the employer.

On-Site Interviews

If you make a good impression during the screening interview, you may be invited to interview on-site. The on-site experience often consists of a series of interviews with different employees and managers, including the hiring manager, who would be your supervisor if selected for the position.

Preparing for On-Site Interviews:

• Watch the Types of Interviews video, which provides a short overview of five interviews you may encounter during an on-site visit, including traditional, serial/sequential, behavioral, group/panel, and technical/case interviews.
• Reflect on five situations where you felt a real sense of pride or accomplishment in your work, internship, classroom, research, and professional experiences. Consider the impact or value of your efforts during these experiences, as well as negative experiences and what you learned from them.
• Think about your role in those experiences, actions you took, problems encountered, and outcomes.
• Practice articulating those experiences in a concise narrative format using the S.T.A.R. method. The following video explains how to use the S.T.A.R. format to effectively answer behavioral questions.

After a screening or an on-site interview, send a thank you note or email to the recruiter or hiring manager within 24-48 hours.