How to Prepare for an

INTERVIEW A guide brought to you by KPU Career Services

What is an Interview?
Interviews provide applicants (you) an opportunity to verbally articulate your abilities (who you are) and your
soft skills (interpersonal communication)

Why is Preparation Important?

• Reduces anxiety
• Makes you appear confident and professional
• Gives you the opportunity to strategically communicate information that is relevant, concise and related
directly to the question
• Impresses interviewer(s) with your ability to take initiatives, knowledge and communication skills

STAGE 1: The Invite

When you get the invited to the interview ask the following:
• Who is interviewing you? – names (spelling) and titles
• What is the parking situation like?
• Who do you ask for when you arrive?
• What type of interview will be administered?
• Will any tests be administered? Which ones? Are there any presentations to prepare?
Before you get off the phone repeat the date, time and location of the interview

STAGE 2: Preparation
Prior to going to the interview, be PREPARED:
• Practice answering interview questions with others or in front of a mirror
• Search for directions – know where you are going
• Know the position – analyze the job posting so you can answer the following questions:
o What is the employer looking for?
o How can you link your skills & experience directly to the employer?
o What are your skills & qualifications?
o What can you offer to an employer?

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STAGE 3: Research
So few job seekers prepare for interview; those who do will “gain a real edge over others through preparation.”
The secret to a successful interview is preparation.

Employers may test your knowledge of the company, so research the employer, interviewer, and industry
• Company website – company size, growth, products & services, target market, locations, HR policies &
procedures, news releases, latest accomplishments, annual reports and/or financials, mission/values/goals
• Google search – the company and the interviewers names to gather some unbiased information
• Your network – people you know who work there or are a customer or a vendor
• Typical duties/responsibilities
• Salary range – industry standard
• Employer’s competitors – know who their competition is so you can use this information to your
advantage during the interview

STAGE 4: The Day of the Interview

• Pay extra attention to your grooming and presentation and give yourself extra time to get to the
interview for unexpected delays. If you are running late call the interviewer and explain why.
• Don’t arrive too early, 5 to 10 minutes early is ideal. This allows you to relax before the interview and
review your notes.
• If you are kept waiting, don’t appear too anxious. Smile and be friendly.

What to Bring:
• 2 copies of your resume
• List of 3 to 6 references
• A pen and note pad with question to ask the interviewer

STAGE 5: During the Interview

• Be friendly to everyone – those secretaries, receptionists, and administrative assistants that you might
consider unimportant often play a significant role in the interview process.
• Make observations – this will assist you in establishing rapport by attempting to find common interests.
Look around the waiting room and interview office for clues. Are there family pictures? Sports
memorabilia? Collectibles? Comment on them.
• Firm handshake – greet your interviewer enthusiastically, stand up and extend your hand for a medium-
to-firm handshake, smile and say something like: “Good morning, I’m glad to meet you” and “Thank you
for giving me the opportunity to be a candidate for this position.”
• Don’t sit down until you are invited to.
• Think of the interview as a conversation, not an interrogation. The interviewer may also be nervous.
• Be prepared for any type of interview. Interviews may be formal questions or more casual in nature.
• Be attentive to body language and posture. Maintain an open posture. Don’t cross your arms. Maintain
casual eye contact.
• Follow the interviewers lead, stay on topic and ask for clarification if necessary
• Don’t make negative comments about previous employers. Always emphasize the positive.
• Wait for the employer to bring up the subject of wages, hours and holidays, etc.
• State your appreciation for the interview. Ask if you can phone in a few days to check on the status of
your application. If they offer to contact you, politely ask when you can expect their call

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 Sample Interview Questions
When answering the interview questions; be concise and to the point. Employers are looking for the answer to
four questions:
1. Do you have the skills and abilities to perform the job?
2. Do you possess the enthusiasm and work ethic that the employer expects?
3. Will you be a team player and fit into the organization?
4. Do your values match the values of the organization?

Job Related
• Tell me about yourself
This question is meant to put you at ease. Think about your work experience, academic experience, skills
career and/or personal related skills
• What technical knowledge and skills do you possess in relation to this position?
The employer wants to know if you can do the job
• Why do you want to work here?
Identifies if you have researched the company? And would you stay?
• What are three of your strengths?
Employers ask this question because they want to know what your strengths are, but more importantly,
they want to know if you're capable of discussing your strengths. Now is not the time to be bashful.
Emphasize strengths that can be directly applied to the job.
• What is your greatest weakness?
Most of us would like to respond, “I don't have any," but that's not what the interviewer wants to hear.
After all, who doesn't have a weakness? However, be cautious. Think about what you want to reveal. Pick
a weakness that is not important in this job or one that you have taken steps to strengthen. Always try to
transform your weakness into strength.
• What are your most significant accomplishments in the workplace? Or outside the workplace?
Emphasize accomplishments that are most relevant to the job. Don't waste time talking about details that
would not be of any use to the employer. Be as specific as possible without revealing too much about
your former employer. Don't downplay your achievements; instead, mention any difficulties you may have
had and how you overcame them. If you are asked to describe a personal accomplishment, mention
something you've accomplished outside of work that is related to your professional development.
• What attracted you to the company/position? Why do you want to work for us?
Interviewers ask this question to find out how much you know about the company. Having done your
company research, talk about the needs of the company or business and how your skill set can contribute
to their goals. Talk about your work experiences and how they have prepared you for this particular
position. Also, point out your own career goals.
• How do you feel about your current/last position? What was your reason for leaving?
Interviewers ask this question because they want to find out if you were successful in your last/current
position. Avoid terms such as illness, quit, personal reasons, fired, or didn't like my supervisor. Remain
positive; never badmouth a former employer. Use positive reasons such as pursuing degree, relocated, or
simply state you are seeking an opportunity to better your professional growth.
• Describe a conflict with a manager or coworker. How was it resolved?
Everyone has experienced workplace conflict at some point. The interviewer is assessing your ability to
solve problems and interact with others. Don't use this as an opportunity to say negative things about your
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 former manager – state the problem and describe steps you took to resolve the issue. Do not state that
you have never had a conflict: it is too unbelievable.
• What are your career goals? How do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
While interviewers like candidates who are focused, they ask this question because they want to find out
if you're likely to stay with the company for a while. Don't proclaim that you'd like to be promoted within
a year or that you see this position as a way to get your next job. Try to keep your answer brief and
focused on how your career goals are in alignment with the company's needs
• Why are you changing jobs/careers?
If you are in fact changing careers, be prepared for this question. Interviewers will want to know if you
have thoroughly researched your new career, and are not switching jobs on a regular basis. Stress how
your skills can transfer to your new career.
• Tell me about the best supervisor you've ever had. What qualities made them the best? Tell me
about the worst supervisor you've ever had. What qualities made them the worst?
Interviewers want to find out how your work style fits with the management style of the company. Be sure
to emphasize positive experiences. If you have to mention a worst case, try not to dwell on it. Instead,
mention the strategies you developed in order to work under less than perfect circumstances.
• Are you interviewing with other companies?
Interviews might try to find out if they need to act quickly. Don't mention any specifics. Say that you are
extremely interested in the company, but are keeping your options open.
• Will you relocate?
Interviewers may be asking if you would relocate, or they may be testing your flexibility and a
willingness to consider new things. Be honest in your answer. If the job seems perfect and you are very
interested, say you may need some time to think about it and would be open to discussing the
possibilities.
• What kind of compensation/salary are you seeking?
Usually, a first interview is not the time to discuss salary. An interviewer may just be testing you to see
how you react. At this point, it's best to say that it's negotiable or that you're interested in a competitive
salary.

Education
• Why did you choose this field of study?
• How does your education prepare you for work in this industry? For this position?
• What courses were your favourites? Why?
• How are your grades?
• What do you like best about your program? Least?

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Need help?
Career Services offers students FREE resume and cover letter building workshops and peer-to-peer reviewing.
Please see our website for dates and times or book a one-on-one appointment through Advisor Connect.
Contact us at careers@kpu.ca or 604.599.2465

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