Interviewing

Skills Guide

Brought to you by:

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services
leader with approximately $641 billion assets under management
as of September 30, 2009, has operations in the United States,
Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Leveraging its heritage of life
insurance and asset management expertise, Prudential is focused
on helping individual and institutional customers grow and
protect their wealth. In the U.S., the company’s Rock symbol is
an icon of strength, stability, expertise and innovation that
has stood the test of time. Prudential’s businesses offer a
variety of products and services, including life insurance,
annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment
management, and real estate services.

We have a balanced, high-quality portfolio of businesses that are

diversified geographically, by market, and by risk profile. Our
wide range of insurance and investment-related products and
services enables us to address the ever-increasing retirement
needs of people and businesses in the U.S. and abroad. Our
operating strength is underpinned and guided by our executive
and board leaders, who set clear strategic priorities and uphold
astute governance standards related to resource allocation,
financial accounting and controls, capital and risk management,
and internal controls.

Prudential has approximately 41,000 employees worldwide in 37

countries and territories. Our businesses include life insurance,
annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment
management, and real estate services.
Table of Contents

2 introduction to interviewing
Purpose of the Interview 2
Interviewing Skills Quiz 3
Answers to Interviewing Skills Quiz 4
Types of Interviews 5
Graduate and Professional School Interviews 8

9 Before the Interview

Conducting Research 9
Assessing your Strengths and Skills 11
Preparing your Answers 12
Behavioral-Based Interviewing 13
Dealing with Nerves and Anxiety 13
Tell Me About Yourself 14
Dressing for Success 15
Resume-Related Interview Questions 16
Behavioral Based Questions 17
General Interviewing Questions 18
Preparing Questions to Ask 20
Mock Interviews 20
Sample Questions to Ask 21

22 During the Interview

Verbal/Non-Verbal Communication 22
Biggest Interviewing Mistakes 24

25 After the Interview

Thank You Letter Tips 25
Negotiating Salary 25
Purpose of the Interview

The interview is an opportunity for a recruiter to determine

which candidate is the best fit for graduate or professional programs, jobs
and internships.

The interviewer is looking to determine the following:

• Can you demonstrate the skills they are seeking?

• Can you solve their problem(s)?

• Are you able to contribute to the graduate program?

• Are you the best fit for the organization or program?

2
INTERVIEWING SKILLS QUIZ

Questions

True or False?
1. You should schedule your first interviews with companies or
organizations in which you are most interested.

2. You do not have to answer questions regarding age, sex, race,

national origin, or marital status.

3. Conducting an informational interview can be an effective way to

find a job.

4. At a medical school interview, it is not necessary to repeat

information provided in the application process.

5. It is important to discuss salary requirements early in the

interview.

6. When asked about your background, spend two minutes or so

unless questioned further.

7. Avoid eye contact with the interviewer since it will make him or
her uncomfortable.

8. If you are asked if you have any weaknesses, you should never
give any.

9. The interviewer expects you to be well-informed about the

company, organization, or graduate program.

10. The most productive method to obtain a job is through recruiters,

personnel agencies, and online postings.

3
INTERVIEWING SKILLS QUIZ

Answers

1. FALSE You should schedule some interviews to get experience

prior to the ones in which you are most interested.

2. TRUE Employers should not ask these questions, but they can be
discussed if you bring them up.

3. TRUE Yes, they can provide valuable networking contacts.

4. FALSE The content of your personal statement and secondary

application is important information about why you want
to go to medical school, and should be elaborated on in
the interview.

5. FALSE Don’t discuss until the job offer has been extended.

6. TRUE Review the Tell Me About Yourself section on page 14.

7. FALSE Maintaining eye contact shows that you are interested and
that you have good communication skills.

8. FALSE Give one weakness and then follow-up with a positive

action plan for improvement.

9. TRUE Research is a critical component to the interview process

and you must be prepared and knowledgeable.

10. FALSE Networking is the best way to make career contacts.

70-80% of your career success is a result of your ability
to build and use your network of contacts.

4
TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

Screening Interviews

Screening interviews determine whether you measure up to the profile of

the hypothetically ideal candidate. Your answers should be direct, concise,
and positive.

Three common types of screening interviews:

On-Campus Interviews Preliminary Interviews Telephone Interviews

• Determine who • Large • A cost-effective

will be invited organizations way to screen
for additional use a personnel candidates
interviews specialist to screen
out candidates who • Treat the interview
• Often arranged are not appropriate as seriously as
through the Toppel an in-person
Career Center and • Consists of interview
conducted by a probing questions
college recruiter to determine • If an interviewer
technical calls without
• Typical on-campus competence and warning and wants
interview is 25 to open-ended to interview you on
30 minutes long questions to assess the spot, let him
personality or her know that
you have a conflict
and suggest
alternatives

Tips for Phone Interviews

• Go to a quiet place • Make a list of important points to

• Listen carefully to what the
interviewer is saying
• Speak slowly and enunciate
clearly
• Dress professionally
highlight
• Have your resume in front of you
• Turn off your call waiting
• Stand up if that will give you more
energy

5
TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

Hiring Interviews

Interviews are usually conducted by the immediate supervisor or by a

person with authority to hire. This is your opportunity to demonstrate
good listening skills, ask intelligent questions, and illustrate through
discussion of your accomplishments that you can address their needs.

Two common types of hiring interviews:

Panel or Board Interviews Series Interviews

• Conducted by two or more • Consist of individual interviews

people simultaneously
• Each person usually takes turns
asking questions and has his or
her own separate agenda
• Expect to be interviewed
by as many as five different
people, including a human
resources representative, that
may represent various levels
of management and functional
areas within the organization
with three or more people in the
organization
• Participants are possibly the
same people as the panel
interview, but you will meet one
at a time rather than as a group
• Organizations may utilize this
method to test your consistency
and stamina

6
TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

Behavioral-based Interviews

• An interviewing technique based on the idea that past behavior and

performance predicts future behavior and performance

• Focuses on experiences, behaviors, knowledge, skills, and abilities that are

job related

• More interviewers are turning to behavioral based interviews as the preferred

method of screening and evaluating applicants

• This method of interviewing provides a fair, equitable, and effective system to

guard against costly and unproductive “mis-hires”

Informational Interviews
• Initiated by the student and can help to narrow career interests

• Meet with people working in their chosen careers to ask questions about
particular occupations or companies

• Be exposed to a variety of perspectives by meeting with professionals

• This is not the time to ask for a job

The Multiple Mini-Interview

USED BY MEDICAL AND DENTAL SCHOOLS

• Applicants move between interview stations and are observed by a

single rater

• Each station covers a different issue, including communication, collaboration,

ethics, health policy, critical thinking, and awareness of health issues

7
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

Graduate and Professional

School Preparation

• Research the university and the specific program of interest

• Review your application materials, including the personal statement/

statement of purpose and secondary application

• Be prepared to answer ethical questions and those about the balance

between your personal background and professional life

• Be able to articulate why you want to enter this profession and why you
want to attend this program

• Many graduate programs require assistantships for admission, and

some do not
› Research through the Graduate School and specific
program office

• Some graduate programs require students to do research

› Know the research interests of the faculty and active projects
› Elaborate on which research projects you want to contribute to
as a research assistant

• Research what makes this program different from the competition

8
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

Conducting Research

The more information you have about a prospective employer or

graduate or professional program, the better prepared you are during the
interview. Knowing about the organization’s products or services, trends,
and employment requirements are vital to your interview preparation
and success.

Research the Company

• Primary mission or purpose of the company or organization

• Principal services or products

• Latest annual sales or revenue information

• Major competitors

• Organizational culture (management style, work environment,

structure)

• Trends in the industry or field and the ‘hot’ issues

Research the Graduate Program

• Demographics of the institution

• Research opportunities

• Curriculum and program requirements

• Assistantship or internship opportunities

• Clinical rotations and opportunities

• Funding opportunities

9
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

Conducting Research

Research the Position

• Major responsibilities of the position

• Qualifications and skills required

• Training and education required

• Typical earnings, advancement, career path, and employment outlook

• Opportunities for continuing education and training

How to Look for Information

• Obtain a job description from the company

• Attend the company information session (if one is being offered at the
Toppel Career Center)

• Schedule an informational interview

• Access company profile on their website

• Find company information on the Career Insider—Powered by Vault

(access through CaneZone)

• Look up competitive salary ranges in NACE Salary Surveys

• Speak and network with people that work, hire, or teach in the career
field in which you are interested

• Research graduate or professional schools online by using:

› Peterson’s (www.petersons.com)
› Student Doctor Network (www.studentdoctor.net)
10
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

Assessing Your
Strengths and Skills

Once you have relevant information, you will need to prepare to

demonstrate that you will be a valuable addition to the organization or
graduate program. It is important to differentiate between the strengths
and skills you possess. Also, select the accomplishments you want to
emphasize based on your research of the organization.

• Strengths are personal traits and can be described as your

unique qualities
› Examples include: diligent, dependable, flexible and punctual

• Skills are knowledge-based and are typically acquired from education

and experience
› Examples include analytical skills, language skills, and
interpersonal skills

• When elaborating on these, always provide examples of how you

demonstrate them

11
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

Preparing Your Answers

Once you have determined the skills you possess that best match the
company profile and position description, you need to organize your
thoughts so that your answers flow naturally. Experienced interviewers ask
penetrating and often difficult questions. They have limited time and are
skilled at getting to the point. Preparing in advance allows you to illustrate
good communication skills and express yourself in a well-organized,
professional manner.

• Although you cannot anticipate every question, you can prepare your
responses and practice answering difficult questions

• Recall and write your accomplishments ahead of time

• Follow each skill or accomplishment with a specific example

• Describe your skills and accomplishments by using behavioral-based

interviewing techniques

• Describe relevant experience

• Review relevant course work that relates to the position described

• Answer potentially negative questions by demonstrating how you

learned from the experience and that you took responsibility for
any mistakes

• Prepare for brainteasers during technical interviews

› Demonstrate to the interviewer that you think in a
logical manner
› Explain your thinking as opposed to offering a guess

12
BEHAVIORAL-BASED INTERVIEWS

The STAR Method

Many interviewers utilize behavioral-based interviewing techniques. The

STAR method can help you provide specific and detailed answers.

Situation or Task
Provide an example that resulted in a positive outcome

Action Taken (or Behavior)

Talk about the action you took or behavior you exhibited

Results
Discuss the results that followed based on your actions

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

Dealing with Nerves & Anxiety

Remember a few things before starting the interview:

• The interviewer has been in your situation before

• Someone thinks you are qualified, or you wouldn’t be there

• Try to connect with the interviewer on an individual level

• Breathing exercises may help you relax

• Try to use humor (when appropriate)

13
Tell Me About Yourself

An interviewer will often begin by asking you this question. Here are
questions to consider:

1. What is your educational background?

2. Describe your work experience, campus involvement, and/or

community involvement.

3. What are your strengths and abilities?

4. What are your career objectives?

14
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

Dress for Success

First impressions occur within the first 30 seconds!

Women
• Suit (pant or skirt) or tailored
dress in solid or subtle color,
no extreme slits, necklines
or hemlines
• Polished, closed-toe shoes,
basic dark pumps with
medium or low heels (no
open-toed or backless shoes)
• Clean nails and no chips if
polished
• Light make-up and jewelry
• Match stockings
appropriately (no bare legs)
Men
• Dark, solid or pin-striped suit
• Shined, dark shoes
• Clean, well-groomed nails
• Conservative tie
• Solid shirt, clean and pressed
• Avoid flashy cuff links, rings,
necklace or earrings
• Over-the-calf socks that
match appropriately
• One ring per hand, if any

Both
• Conservative colors (navy, black, gray)
• Light fragrance, if any (we recommend none)
• Breath mints
• Briefcase or portfolio, with room for resume and personal belongings
• Make sure that clothing and accessories do not distract the interviewer
from the process
Standards of dress are industry specific. The above are general
recommended guidelines.

15
Resume-based Questions

Resume Related Questions: Before the interview, make sure you review
your resume and are able to answer specific questions about the material
presented in your resume.

1. Tell me more about your

internship at XYZ company.
What were your most
What was the...
important accomplishments?
Be specific in describing your
responsibilities and give an Can you describe...
example of your most important
accomplishment. Why was it
important? What impact did it
have?

2. Who was your supervisor at

XYZ company? Remember, it is
a small world. You never know
who knows one another. If asked, How many...
you should have the name of
your previous supervisors on
the tip of your tongue.

3. Tell me more about your Who

involvement in the ABC club. was...
What motivated you to join
the organization? Are you
a passive member of the
organization or have you
taken a leadership role in
some aspect of the group?

16
Behavioral-based Questions

Behavioral Questions: For the following questions, draw specific examples

from your academic or professional life. Avoid your personal life as a basis for
example. The interviewer expects you to describe in detail the specific example
you have chosen.

1. Tell me about a time when you worked on a team. How did the team go
about achieving its goal? Discuss the benefits of working on a team. Stay
positive in your answer, but make sure you address the challenges of working
on a team and how you overcame the challenges.

2. Tell me about a situation where you abruptly had to change what you were
doing. This pertains to juggling many responsibilities at once.

3. Describe situations in which you have worked under pressure or

deadlines. This could include back-to-back papers or tests, work deadlines,
or balancing academics with community/campus involvement.

4. Describe a leadership role you have assumed. Possible answers include

elected/appointed positions held, the role you took in a group project,
volunteer event, etc.

5. Tell me about a time where you failed at a project or task. What did you
learn from the experience? The most important point to get across is how
you turned a negative situation into a positive one. The interviewer is most
interested in how you answer the question.

6. Tell me about the best supervisor you ever worked for and why you
liked working for that person so much. Recall a positive experience with a
former/current boss.

7. Name a recent situation when you had to motivate others. Remember,

every person has a different motivational style. This is another opportunity to
showcase your leadership skills.

8. How do you organize and plan for major projects? Give an example.
Companies/organizations/graduate programs want candidates who have
strong organizational skills. Elaborate.

9. Tell me about the most recent presentation you gave. How did you
prepare? Describe any of your class or student organization presentations.

17
General Interview Questions

1. What is your definition of success? Be prepared with your own idea

of success. Sometimes it is helpful to mention a person who represents
your vision of success.

2. Why are you interested in our company/program? Talk about

information that you found through research. Maybe the innovative
approach to business is what attracted you. Perhaps the research at
the institution or a referral from a professor piqued your interest in the
graduate school.

3. What skills do you possess that would allow you to succeed

in a graduate program? Refer to specific skills and provide
concrete examples.

4. What are your strengths? Provide three adjectives or examples of

your strengths. Present them as they relate to the particular position
and organization.

5. What are your weak points or weaknesses? Do not say “None.” Give
only one. Discuss your efforts to improve or manage your weakness.
“My computer skills are not as strong as I would like them to be, so I
have taken a Microsoft Office course which has been helpful.”

6. What is important to you in a job? What motivates you? Talk about

results and intrinsic returns in a position.

7. In what kind of environment would you like to work? Open

environment vs. closed; innovative vs. minimal change; good
communication level throughout office.

8. What do you know about our organization/program? Demonstrate

that you have done your research! Highlight the organization’s history,
mission, products, services, and revenues. For graduate schools,
make sure you are familiar with pertinent demographics, curriculum,
research opportunities, and faculty members.

18
General Interview Questions

9. What is your management style? Address issues such as delegation

of tasks vs. micromanagement style, encouragement of ideas, and
promotion of team spirit vs. independent environment.

10. What are your career goals and objectives? Talk first about the position
for which you are applying. Be more specific with short term objectives
and fairly general with long range plans (consider a 5 year plan).

11. Why should we hire you/accept you into our program? Discuss
things that you bring that other candidates might lack (e.g. work
experience, international travel, specialized skills, multiple language
skills, volunteer experience).

12. Describe what you find stressful in a job. How do you handle
the stress? Provide examples of when you have been in stressful
situations. Your response should include a positive result. The
interviewer wants to understand how you achieve personal and
professional balance.

13. What other companies are you interviewing with and for what
positions? Answer this question at your discretion. The interviewer
knows you are conducting a job search and expects that you may have
other offers.

14. How creative are you? Why? Describe a time when you had to be
creative, and try to be creative in your answer!

15. Why did you select your college or graduate school? Avoid
answering this question “because of the school’s geographical
location.” Think about academic programs, campus climate, and
research opportunities.

16. What are your feelings concerning working long hours, evenings,
and weekends? Travel? Think about this question before you answer
it. Your values regarding work are important to the potential employer.

For additional industry-specific questions, go to www.miami.edu/interviews

19
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

Preparing Questions to Ask

Take the time to develop relevant and insightful questions for

each interview.

1. Review the list of Sample Questions to Ask (this list includes

questions for a job or graduate school interview).

2. Make a list of your own questions. Do not rely on generic questions.

You should always ask questions because the employer will know that
you are interested in the organization/program.

3. Keep questions focused on the position and company. Save salary and
employee benefits questions for after the offer has been extended.

Schedule a Mock Interview

Career Advisors at Toppel provide direct feedback on your skills during a

mock interview. The appointment will take about 45 minutes. The advisor
will evaluate your strengths and areas of improvement and provide you
with additional techniques for a successful interview.

• Attend an Interviewing Skills program first (mandatory)

• Call 305-284-5451 to schedule a mock interview

• Bring a CD to your session (it is beneficial to record the interview)

20
Sample Questions to Ask

Take the time to develop relevant and insightful questions for

each interview.
1. Who is the direct supervisor for this position and what is that person’s
style of management?
2. How are employees evaluated and how is success measured?
3. What would you like done differently by the next person who fills
the position?
4. What type of people seem to do well in this company?
5. What type of training is provided?
6. What are some of the objectives that you would like accomplished in
this job?
7. What are some of the most difficult problems facing someone in this
position? How do you think these could best be handled?
8. What kind of support does this person receive in terms of people,
finances, etc.?
9. How would you describe the corporate/organizational culture?
10. Where is the organization strong and where does it need to be
strengthened?
11. What are the opportunities you see for the department/company/
organization in the next year?
12. How is the organization primed to deal with technological changes
over the next few years?
13. What would you change about this organization?
14. How well do the departments interact with each other?
15. How well do students succeed in this graduate program?
16. How do students get paired for research opportunities in this graduate
program?
21
DURING THE INTERVIEW

Verbal & Non-verbal

Communication

Hand Shake
The hand shake is your first interaction with an interviewer. It is as
important as being dressed appropriately for an interview. No knuckle
crushers and no wimpy handshakes!

Active Listening
Body language can show that you are interested and truly listening.

Posture
Sit up straight during your interview.

Be Relaxed
Do not slouch or sit too stiffly.

Eye Contact
Maintain friendly and attentive eye contact without a glassy stare. Do not
let your eyes wander. When there is more than one interviewer, establish
eye contact with everyone.

Facial Expression
Make sure your facial expressions match what you are saying. Relax and
smile often.

Gestures
Be careful not to tap nervously or jiggle.

The 3 “C”s
Appear calm, cool, and confident! Don’t act or appear desperate.

22
DURING THE INTERVIEW

Verbal & Non-verbal

Communication

Negative Talk
Never talk negatively about your past employers, professors, classmates,
or yourself. Stay positive even when describing your shortcomings.

Talking too Much

Don’t ramble, or you may talk yourself out of the position. You are there to
get information as much as you are to give it.

Tone of Voice
Inflection and volume are important. Speak in a clear, well-modulated,
audible voice. Rapid speech and loud volume show your nervousness.

Non-words
Eliminate non-words such as “you know,” “um,” “like,” and “OK.” Good
grammar and well-articulated speech are crucial!

Pace Yourself
Take your time when answering questions.

Be Proactive
Don’t hesitate to ask the interviewer when the organization will make a
hiring decision.

Follow Up
Ask for a business card from all interviewers so you have their contact
information for thank you notes.

23
5 Biggest
Interviewing Mistakes

1 Most candidates expect to be interrogated. Come prepared to have

an exchange of ideas with the interviewer. You need to ask questions
throughout the interview in order to show initiative.

2 Turning your weakness into a failure. When asked what your

weakness is, avoid cliché phrases including, “I am a perfectionist.”
Highlight a skill that you want to improve and state what action you
are taking to correct it. Most often, employers don’t focus on the
weakness, but how you handle the question.

3 Not preparing for the interview. It is imperative that you attend the
interview having done your research. This includes researching the
organization or program and being prepared to match your skills
and strengths to the position. Highlight the attributes that make you
a good fit for the job.

4 Leaving your cell phone on.

Turn your cell phone off during
the interview and do not keep
it in plain sight.

5 Arriving late to the interview.

An obvious faux pas. Arrive 15
minutes early to make a good
impression. Remember
to consider traffic jams
and bad weather!

24
AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Thank You Letter Tips

• Proofread all letters for spelling, grammar, and clarity

• Use proper business-letter format and high quality paper

• Send thank you letters within 24 hours of an interview

• If you have interviewed with more than one person, each one should
receive a thank you note

• If you have corresponded with the interviewer via email all along, it is
appropriate to send a thank you via email

• If the organization is formal and traditional, use U.S. mail to send the
thank you note (a typed letter is standard)

• Handwritten notes are most appropriate for a more casual office setting
or as thanks to additional staff members in the office who were helpful

Negotiating Salary
• Do not discuss the issue of salary until the employer does

• When the employer asks what salary you are looking for, reply with a
question such as: “What is the typical salary for this position?”

• If pressed, name a pay range (for example $25,000–$35,000)

• Have average salaries prepared based on your internet research,

www.salary.com, and NACE Salary Surveys in the Toppel Library

• Don’t take an offer on the spot

• Before accepting or declining an offer, look at the entire compensation

package, including health insurance, sick/vacation/holiday leave,
401K benefits, etc.

25
Interviewing Dos & Don’ts

Do
• Arrive 15 minutes early
• Dress appropriately
• Demonstrate knowledge and proficiency
• Be prompt, neat, and courteous
• Research the graduate or professional program
• Ask relevant questions
• Allow the interviewer to express him or herself
• Research company information
• Evaluate the opportunity objectively
• Follow company online application processes
• Be honest about your background and experiences
• Promote yourself in the best possible light
• Express your interest in the position or graduate program
• Send a thank you letter after the interview
• Reiterate your interest in the position or graduate program

Don’t
• Freeze or become tense
• Be late for the interview
• Make elaborate promises
• Criticize yourself, anyone, or anything
• Present an extreme appearance (with jewelry, hair, or clothing)
• Interrupt the interviewer
• Run on too long when answering questions
• Ask about pay, vacation time, or benefits

Interviewers seek enthusiastic people. Show enthusiasm by speaking

positively about previous experiences, internships, or supervisors.
Smile often and express your desire to be a part of the organization
or graduate program.
26
How to Tie a Tie

The Windsor 1 2
A wide knot suitable
for all business
settings. Best worn
with a cut-away
shirt collar.

3 4 5

6 7 Tightening
Grasp bottom of
knot on both sides
and gently lift while
pulling downward
on thin end.

27
Prudential has three offices in the South Florida area:

Coral Gables Boca Raton West Palm Beach

2 Alhambra Plaza 5355 Town Center Road 560 Village Blvd
Suite 1050 Suite 704 Suite 100
Coral Gables, FL 33124 Boca Raton, FL 33486 West Palm Beach, FL 33049
305–442–1022 561–955–8627 561–686-6900

For more information about careers with Prudential,

please contact Alex Reyes: alexander.reyes@prudential.com
Toppel Career Center

1306 Stanford Drive

Coral Gables, FL 33124-6930
PHONE 305–284–5451
FAX 305–284–3668
HireACane.com
toppel@miami.edu