Interview Checklist

Are you prepared for your next interview? Use this checklist to ensure you are!

  • Make time to research the company, interviewer(s), and industry.
  • Know what the company values and any unique recent events or accomplishments (look at the company website).
  • Review sample questions and consider questions you would ask.
  • Write down your experiences following a STAR format– Situation Task Action Result. (Consider examples of: a challenge, a success, a failure, a project, a conflict, teamwork).
  • Practice your answers out loud or record yourself and ask for a critique.
  • Write down questions for the interviewer.
  • Study the job description.
  • Practice weaving how you meet the requirements of the job into your interview answers.
  • Dress professionally and have your outfit clean and pressed.
  • Practice driving the route or conduct a trial run with the virtual platform.
  • Gather essentials, i.e. portfolio, writing instrument, business cards, copies of resume and references.
  • Be your best self and smile!

  • S – Situation
    • Describe the situation you were in
  • T – Task
    • Describe the task you had to do
      • Highlight:
        • Challenges
        • Constraints
        • Deadlines
        • Issues, etc.
  • A – Action
    • Describe the action you took
      • Highlight:
        • Teamwork
        • Leadership
        • Initiative
        • Integrity
  • R – Result
    • Describe the outcome of your actions
      • Highlight:
        • Achievements
        • Improvements
        • Cost Saving
        • Delivery, etc.

  • Ask about next steps and what timeline they are working on.
  • Send a thank you note or email within 24 hours.
  • Follow up: Wait until after their deadline! If they say a response will come in 2 weeks, wait until that time has passed to check-in.

Need some more help? Contact us at careerservices@smumn.edu

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