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Interview FAQs

Interview Prep

While the person conducting the interview likely has a copy of your resume, never assume that everyone you meet with will have seen. It never hurts to be prepared with additional copies.

Even if you are aware that employees of an organization dress casually on the job, dress more formally for the interview unless you are specifically told otherwise by the employer. The interview is a professional meeting and thus a more formal occasion than daily work. For additional questions, check our our interview attire guidelines.

There are many ways you can learn more about an employer. Talking to people, using the employer's website, researching news sources, and contacting someone in the organization are all great places to start the research process. Visit the Research page of our interview prep section for more information.

You can expect a mix of general and job-specific questions during your interview. Visit our During and Interview page for a list of common questions, or download the list using the link below.

Know before you take an interview trip whether you or the prospective employer will be responsible for your expenses and for making travel arrangements. Ideally your contact in the organization will explain the process. If not, and if you have any doubts, ask. You can simply say, "I know that I will have travel expenses for the interview. Is there any assistance that might be offered to offset these expenses?"

Learn more about expenses for on-site interviews.

There are many types of interview scenarios you can encounter. After you have reviewed some interviewing basics, you can learn about the different types of interviews to prepare for your unique situation.

Yes! Taking notes during an interview is perfectly acceptable. We do recommend that you bring a padfolio, or simple notepad, and pen for notetaking. Avoid graphic designs on notebooks or brightly colored pen inks (stick to black or blue).

Asking questions during your interview shows the employer that you are interested and engaged. It also provides you with an opportunity to learn more about company culture, or the role itself. Prepare a few questions before your interview, but also jot down any that come to mind during the interview process. You can visit the During Your Interview page for a list of common questions to get you started.