Breaking Down the Interview: Tips for early talent candidates on job interviews

Last week I had the awesome opportunity to participate in a panel of recruiting experts at the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin.??

The topic of the panel discussion was interviewing, which is often the most nerve-wracking part of the job search process for candidates at all levels but especially for students looking for an internship or their first full-time job after graduation.??

The panel did a great job of summarizing how early-in-career candidates can excel during the interview process, and I wanted to share some of the insights more broadly.??

Own your introduction?

One of the questions you can guarantee during the interview process is an introduction (“Tell me about yourself” or similar). Since you know this question is coming, you can prep for it in order to make the best impression possible.??

Make sure your elevator pitch here is concise, and go ahead and take advantage of the opportunity to make direct connections between your background and the qualifications for the position.

Using the STAR method to help prepare?

The STAR method is commonly seen as the best way to answer behavioral interview questions (“Describe a time when...” or “Tell me about a time...”). If you’re not familiar, STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result, which is a way that you can structure your response to behavioral questions.?

When you’re doing interview prep, make sure to review your resume with the STAR method in mind. Take the bullet points you’ve already written, and see if you can answer common interview questions using these points and the STAR format.?

Be careful with Generative AI throughout the recruiting process?

Most knowledge workers today are using Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot to make their lives easier, and since job searching can be a full-time job, I’d recommend that job seekers do the same. ?

However, you want to make sure you’re still being authentic in your interactions with companies. Copying and pasting a cover letter over to a job application, or obviously using AI tools during an interview, can leave a bad impression on recruiters and interviewers. ?

If you use AI tools, make sure you’re still using your own words and not using the tool to misrepresent your skillsets. ?

Don’t be afraid to lean on your educational experience?

As an early-in-career candidate, you may feel that you do not have any “relevant” job experience yet. While I do think that you can identify use of soft skills in almost any job, make sure that you also fully account for your academic projects and other extracurricular activities, especially if you are applying for a job directly related to your education. ?

Even if you gained relevant experience outside of a job or internship, as long as you can make the connection between the experience and the role, you will have done a good job of answering the interviewer’s question. ?

Be thoughtful and intentional with your questions at the end?

Like the introduction question at the beginning of an interview, you can almost guarantee that your interviewer will ask you if you have any additional questions at the end. You’ll want to use this time again to make sure you solidify yourself as a great candidate. ??

Asking a question about a recent product launch at the company, or asking the interviewer about a specific part of their day-to-day work, can signal that you’ve taken the interview process seriously. Make sure to do adequate research on the interviewer and the company. ?

Don’t forget to also ask any necessary questions for your own situation. This is the time to ask about salary, work schedule, or any other aspect of the role that are required for you to continue considering the role.

Final thoughts?

With preparation and practice, you’ll continue to gain confidence in your interviewing skills. Every interview you have is valuable, even if it ends up only being practice for the next one. ?

Do you have other questions about interviews, or tips that you feel are helpful to other? Share them in the comments!?