Job interviews involve meeting with employers to see if you match a position’s qualifications and the organization’s work culture. An interview is your opportunity to provide concrete examples of how you meet the organization’s needs and to prove that you will be successful in that position. n order to be successful you should know what to expect and prepare in advance.
Big Interview – Virtual Practice Interview Tool
Have you ever wondered how to answer the question “What is your greatest weakness” or “Why do you want to work here”? On Big Interview is an online platform where you can practice answering real interview questions before you have to do the real thing. That way you get a chance to practice answering these questions and more. You can video record your responses to interview questions to review yourself or send them to a friend to provide you with feedback.
Log into Big Interview at https://augsburg.biginterview.com. You will use your Augsburg University credentials to log in.
Big Interview includes:
- A Virtual Interview Practice Tool that mimics a real-life interview
- Artificial intelligence that immediately evaluates answers and provides feedback for improvement
- Quizzes and worksheets to reinforce learning
- Resume Builder, templates, and lessons on writing and formatting resumes
- Lessons on professional communication skills, workplace etiquette, social media presence, wardrobe, body language and more.
Here are several resources to help you prepare for an interview:
- Review our complete guide: Preparing For An Interview
- Practice your answers to Interview Questions.
- Learn how to stand out in a group interview with this article from The Muse.
- Complete a “mock interview” (practice) with a career counselor. Set up an appointment in Handshake.
- Watch the following videos for great tips on how to succeed in an interview:
Biggest Interview Mistakes
Visit the Candid Careers website to watch more videos.
Thank You Notes & Follow Up
Never forget to send a thank you note after an interview! Depending on your situation, thank you cards may be a handwritten note or an email. The goal of the note is to express your appreciation for an interview, restate your interest in the position, and summarize your qualifications. Sending a thank you note leaves a good impression and can sometimes be the deciding factor as to who gets offered the position.
For more help, read our handout on: Thank You Notes
Salary Negotiation
When preparing for an interview you also need to make sure you are ready to answer questions about salary. Many times you will not discuss salary until a job offer is given, but it is important to be prepared.
To help you determine what a salary range might be, check out the following websites and videos:
- LinkedIn Salary Tool: See a detailed breakdown of salaries by job title and location.
- Glassdoor: Get your own personalized salary estimate. Read reviews on over 600,000 companies worldwide.
- NACE – Salary Calculator: Look up projected salary information based on your location, major, and experience
- CAREERwise – Salary Information: View statistics for average salaries by industry in Minnesota
- Cost of Living Comparison: Considering a career outside of the Twin Cities? Do your research on how the cost of living in other U.S. cities compare and how that may influence your salary negotiation.
- Pay Scale – Salary Negotiation Guide: Tips on how to negotiate your salary