Interview Room Suites & Services
Looking for a quiet place to take or prepare for an interview? The University Career Center (UCC) has select private interview room suites available for students to book for either a 2-hour or 4-hour reservation.
Students with reservations or employer-hosted interviews also have access to our Interview Ready Room (refreshments, interviewing tips, last minute needs, printer, etc.) thanks to our generous employer sponsors. Available to book through Handshake!
Interview Overview
An interview is a conversation between a job candidate and a representative of an employer, or a prospective student and a representative of a graduate school program. It typically takes place after an application has been submitted. The interviewer poses questions about the candidate's experience and expertise as they relate to the specific position or program.
Interview Modalities
- 1-Way Interview (Asynchronous): A pre-screening tool where you record responses to prompts. Reviewers (and sometimes AI) evaluate these later.
- Common platforms: HireVue, Pymetrics, Montage, and Mya.
- One-Way Interview Guide
- Phone Interview: Often used as the first step to screen for basic qualifications and interest.
- Video Interview: Live virtual meetings (Zoom, Teams) that mirror in-person interactions. Requires extra tech preparation.
- In-Person Interview: Historically common for final rounds. Focus on body language and professional attire.
Types of Interviews
- Behavioral: Assesses past performance via storytelling. Questions start with "Tell me about a time when..."
- Case: Common in consulting; requires solving a business problem in real-time. See our Consulting Track.
- Medical/Health Professional: Selective formats like Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs).
- Technical: Common in STEM/Software; assesses your field-specific knowledge and problem-solving process.
Interviewing Strategy & Practice
Preparation Resources
- Mock Interviewing: A "dress rehearsal" with immediate feedback. Schedule online.
- Career Coaching: Personalized help from UCC staff. Call 734-764-7460.
- Free Tools: Yoodli (AI Feedback) and Google Interview Warm Up.
The STAR Technique
The STAR technique is a structured manner of responding to behavioral interview questions by discussing the specific Situation, Task, Action, and Result of the situation you are describing.
Questions to Ask Employers
Preparing questions shows interest and helps you assess your fit. Consider asking:
- How would you describe the organization’s culture?
- What is the training process for this position?
- What professional development opportunities are available?
- Assessing commitment to DEI
Informational Interviewing
This involves talking with individuals currently working in a field to gain insights. It is a powerful tool for networking and exploration.