INTERVIEW TIPS

 It is important that you do your research and look into the company you are interviewing with; this
demonstrates your preparation, interest in the company and will also help you ask your interviewer
intelligent questions
 Enter with a firm handshake and introduce yourself at the start of the interview
 Prepare yourself to answer Behavioral Interview Questions; this technique is based on the premise
that an individual’s past experiences will most accurately predict his/her future performance
 Use the STAR Technique:
Situation/Task: Describe the circumstance of your accomplishment by providing enough details
to so that the interviewer understands the context of your story. Can come from paid or
volunteer work, school projects or extracurricular.
Action: Describe the specific actions you took and the sequence in which you did them. Your
goal is to demonstrate your skills. For example, if this is a team based accomplishment, describe
your role in relation to the team.
Result: Explain what the positive results of your actions were in order to show the employer
how your skills are effective and how you can benefit the employer. What improvements
resulted from your action? Summarize in one or two sentences what you learned or what your
accomplishment says about key competencies wanted by the employer.
 There are no “right” or “wrong” answers; answer questions honestly and establish trust with the
interviewer by being genuine
 Try to keep your answers focused and ensure that you are answering the question asked of you
 If you don’t understand the question or need clarification, ask for clarification
 Use this opportunity to show the interviewer how your skills can benefit the organization
 It is okay to pause and think for a few seconds prior to giving your answer
 Review your resume before entering an interview so you can accurately answer questions the
interviewer may have about the material
SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Tell me about yourself.

What are your three greatest strengths?

What is your biggest weakness?

What do you enjoy most about engineering?

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Give me an example of a time you faced a conflict while working on a team. How did you handle it?

Describe a time you managed numerous responsibilities. How did you handle it?

Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.

Describe the most significant written technical report or presentation that you had to complete.

Tell me about a time you worked on a project and you did something to improve the quality of your
team's work

Describe an important goal you have set and tell me how you reached it.

Tell me about a time you came up with an innovative solution to a problem.

Describe a situation or project where you made a mistake.

Describe the characteristics of a successful supervisor.

What motivates you to do your best?

Are you most productive when you work alone or in a group?

What accomplishment to date are you most proud of?

Give me an example of a time when you were asked to carry out a task but you weren’t given enough
information. How did you resolve this problem?
SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEWER

Interviews are a two-way exchange of information. It is important for you to ask questions of the
interviewer; this shows your interest in the company as well helps you decide if this is a job you would
like to accept. Your research into the company is fundamental to asking good questions. Avoid asking
question about information that is easily discoverable through research of the company’s website or
about something that was already covered in the interview unless you are asking for clarification.

What do you enjoy about working for Company X?

What type of training is provided for students or new graduates?

What would a typical day on the job would look like?

What would you like to see the person in this role accomplish in their first three to six months on the
job?

What do you see as the most challenging aspects of this role?

Can I clarify anything more for you about my skills, education or experience?

** Refer to this helpful guide from Career Services for more helpful tips:
http://libguides.ucalgary.ca/c.php?g=255427&p=2352396