Interview Preparation Guide

Before the interview 

• Confirm date, time, time zone, format, location or link, parking, contact name, and phone number. 

• Choose an outfit that fits the field and lets you focus on the conversation. 

• Prepare resume copies, a reference list, notes, questions, and work samples or portfolio items if relevant. 

• For video or AI-supported interviews, test the platform, microphone, camera, lighting, background, and internet connection. 

• Review the posting and your 3 to 5 strongest examples. 

Before you practice answers, make sure you understand the logistics and what the employer or program is trying to learn about you. 

Confirm the interview details 

• Date, time, time zone, location or meeting link, parking or check-in instructions, and expected length. 

• Format: phone, video, in person, panel, group, one-way/AI-supported, or a combination. 

• Names and titles of interviewers, if available. 

• Materials to bring or upload, such as your resume, reference list, portfolio, work samples, unofficial transcript, or writing sample. 

Research the role, organization, and field 

Start with the posting or program description. Then review the organization website, LinkedIn, social media, recent updates, and the broader field or industry. You do not need to memorize everything. You do need enough context to explain why you are interested and ask thoughtful questions. 

As you research, look for three things: 

• What they need you to do: tasks, tools, projects, responsibilities, populations served, or required skills. 

• How they expect you to work: communication style, teamwork, leadership, flexibility, ethics, attention to detail, or problem-solving. 

• Why the role matters: the larger goal, such as serving clients, supporting students, improving safety, increasing sales, building community, or solving a specific problem.  

You cannot predict every question, but you can prepare for common themes. Practice answering these out loud and expect follow-up questions. 

Questions they may ask you 

• Tell me about yourself. 
  • Follow Present-Past-Future format. Start with relevant information about current role / academics, highlight key elements from your background, and end with why this opportunity fits what you want to contribute next. Keep it focused on the interview, not your life story.

• Why are you interested in this role, organization, program, or field? 

• What strengths would you bring to this position? 

• What is an area you are working to improve? 

• Tell me about a time you worked on a team. 

• Tell me about a time you handled conflict, pressure, feedback, or a difficult situation. 

• Describe a time you demonstrated leadership or took initiative. 

• How has your background prepared you for this opportunity? 

• What sets you apart from other candidates? 

Questions you can ask them 

Good questions show curiosity and help you decide whether the opportunity is right for you. Choose questions that fit the interview stage. Save detailed compensation or benefits questions for later unless the employer brings them up first. 

• What would success look like in the first 30, 60, or 90 days? 

• What skills or qualities help someone succeed on this team or in this program? 

• How would you describe the supervision style, team culture, or learning environment? 

• What training, mentorship, or professional development is available? 

• What are the biggest priorities or challenges for this role or program right now? 

• How does this role collaborate with other departments, teams, faculty, or community partners? 

• What are the next steps in the process? 

You do not need perfect answers. You need relevant examples, clear delivery, honest reflection, and enough preparation to stay present in the conversation. 

Strong answers usually do three things: answer the question directly, prove the point with a specific example, and connect the example back to the role, program, or lesson learned. 

Choose examples before you practice answers 

Do not write a script for every possible question. Instead, choose 3 to 5 strong examples from work, classes, projects, research, volunteering, athletics, campus involvement, or life experience. Each example should show a skill the employer or program cares about. 

A good example is specific. It explains what was happening, what you did, and what changed because of your actions. If the example connects directly to a keyword in the posting, it is probably worth practicing.  

Use STAR as your main answer structure 

STAR is a simple way to organize examples for behavioral questions such as “Tell me about a time…” or “Describe a situation when…” Use it as a guide, not a formula you recite. 

Use STAR as a guide, not a script. Your answer should still sound like you. 

For questions about a weakness, mistake, conflict, or failure, use the same structure and add what you learned or what you do differently now. Choose a real example, but keep it professional and manageable. 

Example answer 

Question: “Tell me about a time you showed leadership.” 

Answer: “In one of my classes, our group project was falling behind because roles were unclear and we were missing deadlines. I created a shared timeline, asked each person what part they felt most confident owning, and set up short check-ins so we could adjust before the final deadline. We finished early, earned a high grade, and my professor noted that our group was especially organized. That experience connects to this role because it required the same communication, follow-through, and teamwork that I see in the posting.” 

Keep answers useful and concise 

• Aim for about 60 to 90 seconds for most answers. If they want more detail, they will ask. 

• Spend the most time on what you did, not the background story. 

• Use “I” for your own actions and “we” when describing team results. Interviewers need to understand your contribution. 

• Pause before answering if you need a second. A pause sounds more confident than filler words. 

• Stay honest and professional. Do not exaggerate, blame others, bad-mouth past supervisors, or overshare personal details. 

• Avoid focusing too early on salary, vacation, or benefits. Save detailed negotiation questions for later in the process or after an offer. 

Big Interview gives UM students a place to learn, practice, record, review, and improve before a real interview. Use it like a low-stakes rehearsal space: try an answer, watch it back, revise one thing, and try again. 

• Practice interviewing skills with recorded questions and mock interview sets. 

• Access tutorial videos 24/7 when you want a refresher on interview basics, behavioral questions, or ways to improve. 

• Use PracticeAI (in the “Practice” menu) to customize an AI interview to a specific job posting and/or your resume so your practice feels more relevant to the opportunity. 

• Get AI feedback, if desired, on clarity, structure, delivery, and ways to strengthen your answer. 

• Repeat practice after reviewing feedback so answers sound natural rather than memorized. 

Use AI feedback responsibly 

AI can help you practice, generate questions, and notice patterns in your answers. It can also miss context, give generic advice, or misunderstand your experience. Use AI as a practice tool, not as the final judge of your readiness. 

• Keep answers honest and in your own words. 

• Do not paste private, sensitive, or confidential information into a public AI tool. 

• Combine AI feedback with your own judgment and feedback from a career coach, faculty member, supervisor, or mentor when possible. 

Optional practice prompts 

Use these with your generative AI tool of choice. Remove sensitive information before pasting. 

• Act as an interviewer for this role: [job title and key posting details]. Ask me one question at a time. 

• Based on this posting and my resume, what 3 skills should I be ready to discuss? [paste relevant, non-sensitive details]. 

• Give feedback on my STAR answer to this question: [paste answer]. What should I clarify, cut, or strengthen? 

• Draft a brief thank-you email that references [topic discussed] and restates my interest in [role/program]. 

The content of your preparation stays mostly the same, but the delivery changes by format. Prepare your examples first, then adjust how you show up. 

Phone interviews 

Phone interviews are often screening conversations. The interviewer may confirm your interest, qualifications, availability, location, or basic fit for the role. 

• Use a quiet place with strong reception and no distractions. 

• Keep your resume, the posting, notes, and questions nearby. 

• Smile, sit or stand with good posture, and speak clearly. Your voice is doing the work. 

Video interviews 

Video interviews are common for first rounds and sometimes for the full process. Prepare as you would for an in-person interview, then add a technology check. 

• Test the platform, camera, microphone, lighting, background, and internet connection early. 

• Place notes near the screen, but do not read from them. 

• Look toward the camera when speaking and at the screen when listening. 

• Close extra tabs, silence notifications, and keep a backup phone number nearby. 

In-person and back-to-back interviews 

In-person interviews may include one conversation or several meetings with different people. Each conversation is a fresh chance to explain why you fit the role. 

• Plan transportation, parking, building location, and arrival time before interview day. 

• Bring resume copies, a reference list, work samples if relevant, notes, questions, and a pen. 

• It is okay to repeat key examples with different interviewers. Not everyone heard the earlier conversation. 

• Keep your energy up between meetings. Take water and ask for a short break if needed. 

Panel and group interviews 

Panel interviews include several interviewers. Group interviews include multiple candidates or a group activity. These formats often test communication, teamwork, professionalism, and how you handle pressure. 

• For a panel, answer the person who asked, then include the full group with natural eye contact. 

• For a group activity, participate actively without dominating. Listen, build on others’ ideas, and help the group move forward. 

• Stay positive. Interviewers notice how you talk about teammates, classmates, supervisors, and other candidates. 

AI-supported or one-way interviews 

Some employers use AI-supported screening or one-way interviews. You may see prompts on a screen and record timed video, audio, or written responses without a live interviewer. A human may still review your responses later. 

What to expect: 

• Limited preparation time before each question and a set time limit to answer. 

• Retake rules that vary by platform; some allow re-recording and some do not. 

• General, behavioral, or job-keyword-based questions. 

• Camera, microphone, internet, or identity checks before you begin. 

How to prepare: 

• Practice timed answers so you can make a clear point without rushing. 

• Use keywords from the posting naturally when they match your real experience. 

• Check lighting, sound, camera angle, and background before you start. 

• Read every instruction carefully, including retake rules, deadlines, and accommodation information. 

AI interview mindset: Do not try to “beat” the system. Focus on clear examples, honest experience, and professional delivery. 

Graduate and professional school interviews 

Graduate and professional school interviews focus on fit with the program, field, lab, clinic, faculty, school, and your long-term goals. Interviewers may be asking whether the program can support your goals and whether you will contribute to the learning community. 

• Prepare to explain why this field, degree, program, lab, faculty member, or school fits your goals. 

• Connect your past coursework, research, service, work, leadership, or clinical experience to advanced study or professional training. 

• Be ready to discuss your career goals, what you hope to contribute, and any concerns the committee might notice in your application. 

Interviewers are listening for evidence. They want to hear what you did, how you worked with others, what you learned, and how your experience connects to the opportunity. Make it easy for them to picture you succeeding in the role or program. 

During the interview 

• Arrive or log in early, greet people professionally, and stay present. 

• Listen to the whole question before answering. 

• Use a strategic pause instead of filler words such as “um,” “like,” or “you know.” 

• Answer directly, use a specific example when helpful, and connect your answer to the opportunity. 

• Ask thoughtful questions. You are evaluating the opportunity too. 

After the interview 

• Thank the interviewer before you leave or log off. 

• Send a brief thank-you email within 24 hours. 

• Reference one specific topic from the conversation and restate your interest. 

• Track next steps and follow up professionally if the timeline passes.