You’ve successfully presented your qualifications through your resume and cover letter. Now comes the interview, which is your opportunity to expand on your strengths and demonstrate that you’re an excellent fit for the company. This comprehensive guide provides the information and advice you’ll need to prepare for your interview and take full advantage of this significant opportunity.

Presenting Your Authentic Self

Before you can take the first step in preparing for an interview, it is essential to reflect on who you are and what you value. The next step is being able to clearly articulate the knowledge, skills, experience, passion, values, and commitment that you’ll bring to your target opportunity.

Who are you?

In most cases, candidates interviewing for the same position will possess similar skills and qualifications.  Therefore, you must distinguish yourself by identifying the unique skills, talents, and attributes you bring to the table. Align your past accomplishments with a company’s needs and let the interviewer know how you’ll add value by developing detailed and thoughtful stories and answers to questions such as:

• How do you think your current skills and strengths would align with the duties of the position you are applying for?
• Which areas do you excel in and what skills do you find come easily to you?
• What excites you about this opportunity?
• What has been your greatest accomplishment in your field so far?
• What are you passionate about outside of your profession?

Adapting Your Elevator Pitch

Responding to the common “Tell me about yourself” question can be surprisingly challenging if you do not have a structured framework to work with. A compelling strategy in answering this question is to adapt your elevator pitch. If you haven’t created on yet, you can access the “Elevator Pitch Worksheet” here! The “Tell me about yourself” question provides an opportunity to showcase your personality, highlight relevant experiences, and align them with a company’s needs.  

This is your chance to effectively communicate your qualifications and demonstrate your fit for the role. In order to ensure that the interviewer remembers you as a strong candidate, strike a balance between being concise and providing enough information to capture their interest. Below is a sample elevator pitch and how you might adapt that for an interview!

Sample Elevator Pitch

Adapted for an Interview

Hello, my name is Nicole Addams. I’ve recently graduated from the Master of Finance program at UMass Amherst’s Isenberg School of Management. I have experience working in alternative investments and personal finance management. I’m passionate about helping clients best understand the market and how to effectively manage their investments based on data driven decisions. I’ve obtained my CAIA Level 1 certification and have had the opportunity to complete projects managing hedge funds, private equity, and commodities – strengthening my ability to manage risk, to utilize critical thinking to problem solve efficiently and effectively, and to find the balance between self-motivation, leadership, and teamwork.

Good morning, everyone! Thank you for having me. My name is Nicole. Recently, I’ve graduated from the Master of Finance program at UMass Amherst’s Isenberg School of Management and have experience working in alternative investments and personal finance management. I recognize how challenging it can be for clients to understand the market and how to manage their portfolios. Because of this, I’m passionate about creating a bridge for them to assist them in making data driven decisions. I’ve obtained my CAIA Level 1 certification to help me prepare taking on this Portfolio Analyst role and am looking forward to taking my experiences and assisting the clients of ABC Firm.

Notice the interview adaptation reflects back to the position Nicole is applying for – this is essential in an interview setting. Always bring your answers back to the duties of the role you are applying for! 

Interview Readiness

Preparing for an interview is essential. Take as much time as you can to research new industry trends, the company you are applying to, and the position itself. You’re also going to want to be sure to check your technology to ensure it’s working properly and maybe even complete a mock interview to practice those interviewing skills. 

Researching the Industry, Company, and Position

Learn as much as possible about the industry and company by investigating the company’s mission statement, values, history, financial performance, competitors, acquisitions, and product lines and services before the interview. Conducting thorough research will allow you to offer thoughtful answers to common questions like “Why do you want to work for this company?” and describe how you’ll make meaningful contributions based on the company and industry priorities.

Analyzing the Job Posting

A careful review of the job posting will tell you a lot about what the company is looking for and what questions you’ll likely be asked in the interview. Read it carefully and highlight the skills, experience, and competencies mentioned. Note that these are usually listed in order of importance. Review the highlighted information and pay particular attention to words that come up more than once, as they are likely important. You can guarantee that you’ll be asked about your experience in these areas. 

Additionally, the job posting will provide introductory information the company wants the reader to know. This is a good indicator of the company’s work structure and values and hints at the type of fit they seek for their team. Never ask questions about the position that have been answered in the job posting. While you may ask for elaboration if something is not clear or ask for additional information, it’s your responsibility to know what you’ve applied for and to present yourself as an excellent fit.

Improving Performance Through Mock Interviews

A mock interview helps you learn how to answer difficult questions, develop interview strategies, improve your communication skills, and reduce your stress before an actual job interview. Big Interview*, an interview prep resource accessible to all UMass Alumni, not only provides a comprehensive interview guide but also serves as a platform for mock interviewing. Additionally, you can make an appointment with your Alumni Career Coach in the Office of Career Success for a virtual mock interview. 

During a mock interview with the Office of Career Success, your coach may use the structure and format of a real interview rather than strictly asking a formal list of questions. Be sure to take your mock interview as seriously as you would an actual interview. Get ready for the mock interview just as you would for an interview with a hiring manager ― managing the stress of a real interview is worth practicing, too. 

*Alumni must create a log in through this link and use the access code: 1863.  

Managing Technology and Your On-camera Presence

Making a good first impression is equally as important in a virtual setting as it is in person. There are many ways to engage an employer when interviewing online.

Reverse Interviewing: Ask questions!

You will have the opportunity to ask the interviewer questions at the end of an interview. Always come prepared with questions as it demonstrates your genuine interest in the position and company. It shows you are actively seeking more information to make an informed decision. Your enthusiasm and curiosity will leave a positive impression!

What are the benefits of asking questions in an interview?

1. Allows you to gather valuable insights about the company, its culture, and the specific role you are applying for.
2. Provides the opportunity to assess if the company aligns with your career goals, values, and work preferences.
3. You can inquire about team dynamics, growth opportunities, company values, or any specific projects or initiatives of interest. This information helps you evaluate whether the company is the right fit for you, and it will be useful in comparing your interviews with other companies.

As a general guideline, you should come prepared with 4-5 thoughtful questions. If you have a panel interview or your interview consists of a number of interview groups, prepare questions for each section of the interview. As able, determine the general makeup of the panel members and tailor questions to the specific roles represented. You do not need to ask each question, but having a selection on hand will bring you relief in situations where some of your questions may have already been addressed during the interview. The number of questions is not as important as the quality and relevance of the questions you ask.

Common Interview Formats

Different job interview formats aim to understand different aspects of you as a candidate. Knowing the key differences between these types of formats can help you prepare for the right types of questions and improve your chances of getting to the next round of the recruiting process.

One-way, Pre-recorded Interviews

Many employers are utilizing one-way video technologies to conduct screening or first-round interviews to increase hiring efficiency. These interviews are one-way, meaning there’s no human interaction. You’ll be sent a link with instructions and a timeline for completion. HireVue, SparkHire, and Willow are three platforms employers commonly use to conduct these interviews.

Once you activate the system, you’ll have a limited time to prepare for each question, typically 90 seconds to 3 minutes, and you’ll sometimes have an option to practice before submitting a final answer.  Most pre-recorded interview questions are traditional or behavioral questions. Preparation and practice before the interview will increase your ability to answer these questions quickly.

In-Person Interviews

An in-person interview typically follows a phone or virtual screening interview. It helps the interviewer learn more about you and better understand your fit with the company. 

You may be invited to multiple in-person interviews depending on the role which would typically take place for a second or third-round interview and is generally when the hiring company begins making their final decision on who they are going to offer the position to. This is also when they may bring up salary, benefits, or anything that may be considered a “perk” at the company. Do not bring this up to them, they will bring it up to you.  

Your excitement and degree of genuine interest, which are often revealed by your nonverbal communication and body language, are an important part of an employer’s assessment of your candidacy. Preparation and practice will allow your enthusiasm to shine through. 

Live, Virtual Interviews

By now, we all have experienced the convenience and efficiency of virtual meetings, so it’s no surprise that live, virtual interviews are common in today’s hiring landscape. They’re used for first-round screenings and second and final-round interviews, including one or more interviewers and back-to-back sessions. While virtual interviews can feel casual, they may be your only interaction with an employer before a potential offer is extended. 

Search resources like Glassdoor for interview questions the company has previously asked. LinkedIn Learning can be used for courses on virtual interview tips and you can also schedule an appointment with your Alumni Career Coach to better understand what behavioral interview questions they may ask. 

Panel Interview

Companies use panel interviews to reduce the risk of making a poor hire. Generally, those who frequently interact with the candidate serve on panels, such as hiring managers, team members, and cross-functional partners. These individuals will be well-versed in the job requirements and company culture and, therefore, able to evaluate your prospects for success with the company. 

In a panel interview, one person may act as the lead, while others are given specific questions to ask.  You may engage in a back-and-forth with one interviewer, or there may be a free-flowing discussion. It’s important to maintain high energy and engagement with each panelist and treat them all with equal attentiveness. Both the content of your answers and the way to which you conduct yourself in the interview will be considered in their evaluation.

Panel interviews require quick thinking, adaptability, and the ability to handle diverse conversational styles. They also help evaluate your team and collaboration skills, emphasizing the importance of being conversational. Researching the panelists on LinkedIn can establish rapport and uncover shared interests or connections, enhancing the interview experience. Additionally, knowing a little bit about panelists can help you to create tailored questions to ask them during this panel interview portion of your interview.

Group Interview

A group interview involves multiple candidates participating in a collaborative activity, such as a group project, mingling exercise, or a meal. Group interviews allow hiring managers to observe your interactions with other candidates, which gives them a sense of how you might approach team-based tasks. Companies often choose group interviews when hiring for multiple openings in a structured program like an internship or a management development program. 

When taking part in a group interview, you’ll be assessed on the following behavior:

• What role(s) you play in the group.
• What contributions you made or new ideas you offered.
• Whether you demonstrated respect for other people’s perspectives.
• Whether you were comfortable jumping into new situations with new people.

Super Day Interviews

Super Day interviews are commonly used in competitive recruitment processes with investment banks and consulting firms but are rapidly expanding into other industries. They are offered when you’re deemed a strong fit for a position. If invited to a Super Day, you’ve reached a very important step! 

Super Days may contain a series of one-on-one interviews with traditional, behavioral, and technical questions. Expect networking opportunities, informational sessions, and a meal. Generally, you will be provided with an agenda for the day, requiring at least 3 hours of meetings with company representatives. The Management Consulted site provides an exceptional resource for Super Days.

Tips for Super Day Interviews:

Interview Types

Employers are increasingly using different types of interviews to screen candidates more efficiently. You can expect to encounter the following common interview types

Traditional Interview

Traditional interviews employ open-ended questions designed to offer insight into your resume and qualifications.  They seek to reveal your degree of self-awareness, experiences, professional motivations and aspirations, and interpersonal skills.  Typical questions you’ll be asked during a traditional interview include:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Walk me through your resume.
• What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
• Why do you want to work for this industry/company?
• How would most recent teammates or colleagues describe you?
• What are two or three things most important to you in your job?
• Where do you see yourself professionally in 3-5 years?

Behavioral Interview & Situational/Scenario Interview

Interviewers want to understand your potential future performance, so asking about your past performance is a common interview strategy. Behavioral interview questions ask you to convey an example of a time when you demonstrated a skill or behavior required for your target position. Typical questions you’ll be asked during a behavioral interview include:

• Tell me about a time when you had to use effective communication skills.
• Give me an example of a situation when you had to analyze data and make a decision.
• Describe a situation where you dealt with an underperforming team member. What did you do? 
• Tell me about a time when you were given an unclear task or project. How did you move forward?
• Are you a self-starter? Give an example of a time when you took initiative.
• Describe a time when you had to motivate others – what did you do?

Be prepared to tell multiple stories showing you practicing the skills and competencies relevant to the position you’re seeking. In other words, they must show you in action. Use the STAR method in forming your responses.

To prepare for STAR responses, take an inventory of transferable skills you bring to the table. Write down 3-7 competencies you can talk about or feature in an interview with an employer. Think about 2-3 examples from work or school in which you demonstrated those transferable skills and competencies. Allocate the bulk of your answer to the Action component, as it effectively showcases how you dealt with the given situation.

Situational or scenario interviews involve questions that ask you to describe how you might respond to a hypothetical situation on the job. Your answers to these allow you to highlight how you would use your experiences, abilities, and strengths to overcome future challenges. For example, a question such as “How would you approach being asked to perform a task you have never done by your manager?” will help the interviewer imagine you in action in their setting.

Skill-based/Technical Interview

In a skill-based or technical interview, you answer questions designed to assess whether your skill set matches what the organization is looking for and whether you’ll be able to apply those skills consistently and efficiently to complete tasks. These interviews can be a bit rigid because you’re being assessed on a specific list of highly relevant skills. Common skills and competencies employers prefer are adaptability, organization, communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership. Likewise, you may be asked to utilize a specific technology to solve a problem on-the-spot. This allows for the employer to see your technical skills in action. Do not use generative AI in this interview – this is your chance to showcase your skills! 

Case Interview

During a case interview, you’ll be asked to solve a problem posed in a real or hypothetical business situation. In some instances, the case will be provided before the interview but most of the time it will be delivered onsite, and you’ll have limited time to develop your approach and solution. Some case study interviews are held through a series of interviews with one interviewer. Other case interviews are conducted in groups. Keep in mind that every interview will include behavioral questions as well. Some companies will schedule this separately or merge the two. Case interviews typically last from 45-60 minutes, with a focus on the case itself lasting 30-45 minutes.

Case interviews are commonly used in consulting, data analytics, and advisory interviews. Walk the interviewer through your thought process and present your solution. 

What are interviewers looking for?

• Demonstration of analytical, problem-solving, industry knowledge, professional judgement, and communication skills
• The methods used to solve the problem including teamwork, creativity, and brainstorming
• Your ability to gather, clean, and analyze data for insights

6 steps for approaching a case, suggested by leading consulting company, Accenture:

1. Listen to the case
2. Clarify the problem
3. Analyze the problem
4. State a hypothesis
5. Test the hypothesis
6. Summarize your findings

Big Interview: Practice interview questions – Click on “Practice” from the tool bar at the top of your account, and select either practice by industry, or competency (Examples: By Industry: Management Consulting; By Competency: Analytical)

Management Consulted also has a mock interview tool you can use. Once you complete your profile, you can then choose a mock interview partner based on their availability and complete a mock case interview session. 

Technical Interviews

Technical interviews are used by employers to gauge a set of very specific skills required for the role. Unlike other types of interviews, technical interviews involve challenges and assignments. They are more like an exam than a typical question-and-answer interview. 

Often these interviews are used in banking, information technology, data analytics, and science-based interview settings. Researching the types of technical skills you’ll need for the job will be critical to your success. Analyze the job posting, check Glassdoor for potential questions, utilize Big Interview (Practice interviews by Industry – Technology), and watch LinkedIn Learning content on technical interviewing. If possible, talk to current employees in the role about the day-to-day technical aspects of the job.

The interviewer is looking for a demonstration of technical skills within specific software (level of proficiency, competencies, functions, etc.). Often, there is a focus on programming, coding, structured queries, and relational databases. Some technical interviews may require a pre-interview online assessment to narrow down a field of candidates. This may happen before or after an initial phone screen. Generally, it is a timed test that must be completed by a given date. You may be presented with a whiteboard test, coding test, or other assessment-based technical questions.

Students most frequently test on Excel, Tableau, Python, and SQL; however, position, company, and industry will dictate technical expectations. Sometimes you will be given your choice of software to present – in this case, choose software that you have the most experience and comfortability, and practice! Utilize DataCamp, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning or other resources to refresh skills.

Remember to be prepared and comfortable dealing with unfamiliar scenarios. The interviewer wants to know how you can apply your knowledge in a professional setting. They are interested in your understanding of the nature of the problem, your thought process in how you formulate solutions, and how well you communicate.

Tips for mastering your technical interview:

Post-Interview Practices

Send a Thank You Email

Within 24 hours of your interview, compose and send an individualized and thoughtful thank you email. Thank the interviewer for their time, include relevant points from your discussion, and briefly summarize why you are the right candidate for the job.

Immediately after your interview, record notes about what you were asked and how you answered. Note parts of the conversation that you feel went very well, and perhaps aspects that didn’t go as well (for use in future interview preparation). Identify points that you would like to clarify or expand on in a follow-up interview, topics that require further research or preparation, and additional questions that you have for the interviewer.

Follow Up

It is customary to wait at least 2 weeks after your interview to follow up if you have not yet received a status update on your candidacy. If you were advised that it would take longer than that time frame, then allow at least 1 more week after the date referenced.

Ask where they are in the decision-making process, without a pressured tone. Pose your question in a way that makes you seem helpful, such as “I am following up in case there is additional information I can provide.”

Proceed Accordingly

If you are offered the position, make sure you understand all aspects of the offer and when they will need a decision. If you are not selected, ask your interviewer if they can offer feedback. While many recruiters are prohibited from providing interview feedback for liability purpose, some recruiters will be able to provide you with some insight regarding what differentiated you from the person who was offered the role. Don’t take this as criticism; rather, write it down and file it away so that you have more knowledge for your next interview.

Other Considerations

Interview Code of Conduct

Knowing the guidelines for conduct throughout the recruiting process will ensure you demonstrate the professionalism employers seek. Best practices include:

• Honesty.  Provide accurate information about your academic, work, and other experience in interview answers and all communications with recruiters. 
• Punctuality.  Show up early to all interviewing and recruiting engagements and promptly communicate any potential schedule disruptions.
• Authentic interest.  Never interview for a position you would not accept.  Doing so wastes the company’s time and resources and denies an opportunity for another candidate. 
• Communication.  Stay in contact with recruiters about other offers and timelines.

Managing Multiple Interviews and Offers

Receiving multiple job offers at the same time can be exciting ― and confusing. Knowing what is important to you in the offer and opportunity should guide your decision-making in these situations.

As a rule, however, you should never accept an offer if you want to continue interviewing with other organizations. Accepting an offer “in good faith” means you will follow through with your commitment.  Don’t let an offer deadline pressure you into making a hasty decision. Take action: call the company and ask for a few more days to make your decision, and then contact the other employer to see if they could accelerate the process. If possible, meet with your Alumni Career Coach regarding your situation. There are strategies to manage these common situations, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

Professional Attire

Dressing appropriately for an interview signals attentiveness, seriousness, and respect. But today’s business culture is evolving and complicated. For example, many corporate settings are casual, often for C Suite officials, too, so knowing how to dress for an interview isn’t always clear.

​If you’re ever unsure about a dress code, err on the side of caution. Too formal is better than too informal.​ Don’t worry about brand names or prices. Dressing appropriately doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money. Focus on conservative colors and patterns ― you’ll never go wrong in a black, navy, or dark gray suit. Make sure your clothes are clean, pressed, and well-fitted. Check out the Isenberg Guide to Dressing for Success!

Nonverbal Communication

Some experts believe that 70% of our messaging is conveyed nonverbally, through our body language. 

Although it is normal to experience nervousness during an interview, be aware that it has an impact on your nonverbal communication. Pay attention to the signals you are sending through your posture, gestures, and expressions – make sure they align or amplify your verbal messaging. 

Practicing your interview skills with a career coach or trusted friend can help to reduce nervousness, align your verbal and nonverbal messaging, and increase an interviewer’s trust and confidence in you.

Use of Assessment Tools in the Hiring Process

Some employers use pre-employment tests to determine whether a candidate has the skills, work style, knowledge, and personality to succeed in a job. These assessments help employers recruit more efficiently and ensure they hire the most qualified candidates. While there is no way to prepare in advance for assessments, understand that they exist and may come up.

• Personality assessments like Myers-Briggs and the Big Five model measure personality traits like agreeableness, conscientiousness, motivation, and other attributes that may indicate a culture fit and, for certain roles, correlate to on-the-job success.
• Emotional intelligence tests assess how well you perceive and act on emotions ― both your own and others. These abilities are critical success factors in positions that involve relationship management, team-based work, and leadership.
• Gamified assessments test your performance in an immersive, virtual experience with game elements, which helps employers make data-driven decisions that reduce bias in hiring. These assessments can be fun, but they require intense focus and can last up to an hour or more.

Additional Resources

You can find more interview prep resources here on IConnect or schedule an appointment with our Alumni Career Coach.