Chapter 6: Interviewing Skills

Author: Rachael Tiede

Aanya was looking forward to her interview. She interned at the company during her sophomore year, and enjoyed the company culture and getting to know the people working there. Now, as a college graduate, Aanya was hoping this would give her the opportunity to really make her mark in the accounting field and propel her into a senior position.

She spent time studying mock interview questions to avoid getting caught off guard. At the interview, which was a small panel of three people Aanya had never met, the main interviewer started with a simple question, “Tell me about yourself.” Aanya had prepared for this question, but for some reason she froze up and had difficulty with her response. Frustrated, she continued to stumble through the first few questions. Halfway through the interview, Aanya felt she was close to a panic attack. Eventually, she asked if she could have a moment to collect herself. She took a deep breath, and then was able to talk again. Aanya made it through the interview, but didn’t feel good about her performance.

Many recruiters and potential employers know within five minutes of interviewing someone whether they want to continue the interview or potentially hire the candidate. This makes it crucial to make a strong and professional first impression.

In the interview section of their career guide, Indeed (2021) compares a job interview to preparing for an exam in school. Success takes study and practice. Candidates should research the company and the job, and come equipped with examples of skills from previous jobs as well as ideas for the new role. Practicing talking points will also help build confidence in your answers. Your goal should be to outperform other candidates, and reflect genuine interest in the job, the company, and the interviewer.

In this chapter, we will explore ways to prepare for an interview. This includes researching the company and interviewer, practicing answers to common interview questions, and developing your personal pitch. You will learn about various interview formats and styles along with etiquette for participating in a virtual interview. Finally, we’ll explore how and when you should follow up with your interview to leave a positive, lasting impression.