Interview Preparation

Interviewing is a skill that is built through preparation and practice, and it does not come naturally for many individuals. Therefore, taking time to prepare for interviews is crucial so that you present yourself confidently and demonstrate that you’re a good fit for both the role and the organization. Thorough preparation helps you articulate your value proposition clearly, answer questions effectively, and ask thoughtful questions that show your genuine interest in the opportunity. Make an appointment with a career coach through Handshake to learn how to prepare for an interview and gain practice answering common interview questions. Also, consider participating in Tech’s mock interview events, which the Career Center regularly hosts. During mock interview events, students spend time practicing interviewing with local professionals and employers. Details about our mock interview events are posted in our Warriors Connect group.

• Research the company, role, and interviewers thoroughly – Study the organization’s mission, recent news, and culture, while preparing specific examples of how your experience aligns with the job requirements. 
• Practice your responses to common questions – Learn more about the different types of interview questions and how to prepare to answer them. Prepare specific interview stories to the most asked questions using the STAR-K or PARK frameworks to effectively communicate your accomplishments and problem-solving abilities. Ask a career coach for support with this if needed.
• Use AI Practice Tools – Try Google’s Interview Warmup to practice answering common and job-specific interview questions or explore Yoodli AI, which uses speech analysis to give feedback on your tone, pacing, and word choice. You can even copy and paste a job description into an AI tool to generate personalized interview questions that match the role. There are plenty of free AI tools available, so users should never feel pressured to pay for a service to get quality interview practice.
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask – Develop questions about the role, team dynamics, company culture, growth opportunities, and hiring timeline that demonstrate your serious interest and strategic thinking. 
• Plan your logistics and professional presentation – Confirm interview details, test technology for virtual interviews, and select appropriate professional attire. 
• Follow up professionally – Send personalized thank-you emails within 24 hours, reiterating your interest and highlighting key points from your conversation.