Why develop interviewing skills?

Competition for top internships, permanent positions, fellowships, awards, and even admissions to programs of further study usually includes one or more rounds of interviews. Competitors are generally similarly qualified, so an interview is critical in assessing not only the skills base of candidates, but also their motivation and fit with an organization. Candidates who learn employers' interviewing tricks and techniques, and practice by simulating interviews, will find they succeed more than their competitors who don't prepare.

When should students start developing these skills?

Undergraduate students should start developing an understanding of interviewing as early as their first year and should commit to practicing interviews on at least an annual basis, if not more frequently as new opportunities are sought.  Upper class and graduate students should start immediately to build skills that may be called into use soon. Too many wait until a real interview is coming to learn about interviewing, and a crash course is seldom as helpful as intentional advance preparation.

Where is help available?

Students should connect with both the career services offices in their home colleges, and with the Center for Career Services (235 Schine), for print and/or online guidance on interviewing. Career-specific materials from the college offices are complemented by guidance available in The Career Guide and Job Choices, publications distributed by the Center for Career Services, and by general guidelines and articles found on the Center's web site.

Workshops, individual strategy sessions, and mock interviewing services, i.e. chances for students to sit with a career advisor and simulate an interview, are offered by the Center and may also be offered in a home college office.