Academic Training Info Sheet

Interviewing –General
Preparation

If possible, set up a practice interview with your host university’s career services center within one month of arriving
at your host institution
Before the Interview
Carefully research the company or organization that you are interviewing with. Make sure you check the company
website and search the internet for any recent publications or news about the company. Practice travelling to your
interview site to avoid being late or getting lost.

Time
You need to be on time to your interview. Being late is considered very unprofessional and may significantly lower
your employer’s opinion of you before you even meet. Plan on being in the area of your interview site at least 20
minutes before your interview and check in five to 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should I bring to the interview?
A: Bring a folder or briefcase, copies of your resume, a notebook, pen, list of references, transcripts (if requested
by the interviewer), and sample items (this could include writing sample, project, or proposals).
Q: How should I dress for my interview?
A: Dress conservatively and professionally. For women, stay away from low necklines, short skirts/dresses, and open
-toed shoes. For men, wear nice pants and a collared shirt. For large or formal companies, wear a suit. It is prefera-
ble to be overdressed than underdressed. For more tips on how to dress for an interview go to: http://
www.career.uci.edu/documents/QuickTipDressforanInterview.pdf.

Q: How should I conduct myself during the interview?

A: Address the interviewer(s) formally using Mr., Ms., Dr., or Professor unless otherwise instructed. Shake hands
with your interviewer(s) when you meet them, sit up straight, don’t chew gum, and maintain eye contact with your
interviewer(s). If you don’t understand a question, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. When the interview is over,
you may ask when you should expect to hear back from them and shake hands.

Q: What questions should I expect to be asked during an interview?

A: For examples of possible interview questions, please check out this website: http://www.career.uci.edu/
Interviewing.aspx, find the quick tips section, and click on the “interview techniques” PDF.
Academic Training Info Sheet
Q: What questions should I ask my interviewer(s)?

A: Your interviewer will expect that you have done your research and have prepared some questions about
the company before the interview. Come up with a few questions to ask during the interview that reflect
your knowledge and interest in the company. Also, ask what the follow-up steps are and make sure to get
your interviewer’s email address.

Q: What should I do if I don’t know how to respond to a question?

A: Ask for clarification of the question. If you still are not sure how to respond, try to describe how you would go
about solving the problem or question at hand. For example, if you were given an equation to solve, but don’t know
what the answer is, or get stuck, explain what method or formula you would use to solve it.

Q: Will I be required to have a background check and/or drug test for my internship? What do they involve?

A: This depends on the internship. A background check is used to determine if you have a criminal record or
any offenses. A drug test may require you to provide urine, blood, or hair that a lab will check for traces of ille-
gal drug use.

Q: I want to get an internship working with children. Are there any restrictions or requirements?

A: This depends on the organization and state or city law. Some may require a background check and/or drug test.
Ask the organization before applying to an internship to see if there are any requirements or restrictions for working
with children there.

Q: Can I participate in an internship opportunity that involves direct patient contact?

A: No. This is forbidden for students who hold a J-1 visa status. Direct patient contact, human and/or animal, includes:
diagnosing, touching, and talking (if it includes giving advice on treatment, etc).