INTERVIEWING
Undergraduate Resource Series
Mignone Center for Career Success | 54 Dunster Street
Harvard University | Faculty of Arts and Sciences
[email protected] | careerservices.fas.harvard.edu
ROOF
& CASA
HOME AND DECOR
MIGNONE CENTER
~ R CAREER SUCCESS
© 2023 President and Fellows of Harvard College
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any way without the express written
permission of the Harvard University Faculty of Arts & Sciences Mignone Center for Career
Success.
08/23
Mignone Center for Career Success
Harvard University Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Cambridge, MA 02138
[email protected]careerservices.fas.harvard.edu
ACE THE INTERVIEW
D uring an interview, potential employers ultimately want to know: Why should we hire you?
They try to assess the following:
• Your qualifications for the position.
• Your "fit" with the employer or organization.
• How well you have considered your reasons for applying.
• How clearly you can express your potential contributions to the organization.
• Your “transferable skills” such as communication and professionalism.
• Your knowledge of the organization and level of interest in the position.
It’s important to be as prepared as possible before your interview. Employers are looking for
applicants who are focused and mature, understand the work the company is doing and the
requirements of the position, and can communicate how their skills can be used to meet those
requirements. They want to hire people who are cooperative, organized, and hard-working.
Ways to improve your interviewing skills:
Research the company, field, and position—
• Before the interview, read the employer’s website and review any online content relevant to
the role and position or (when applicable) print material you may have previously picked up
at career fairs or other hiring events.
• Stay current on industry news by reading daily news sources. Conduct a Google search on the
organization the day of the interview to be current on any new developments.
• Utilize Harvard online subscriptions such as Firsthand Vault Guides (which can be found in
the eResources on our website) for additional industry and company information.
• Whenever possible, attend any employer networking events and information sessions or
connect with someone who works there to increase your visibility and to gather additional
information. Use the Harvard Alumni Association alumni database and LinkedIn to identify
alumni contacts.
Know your resume—Be prepared to discuss
everything on your resume. Remember that From a recent employer:
your resume is the only information most
“All Harvard candidates are capable
employers will have about you. Expect
of doing the job. What distinguishes
questions about your choice of activities,
the candidates is the level of
professional experiences, concentration, and
interest.”
thesis (if applicable). Employers and
organizations are interested in knowing how
you've chosen to spend your time and energy, and why. Help your interviewer get to know you and
differentiate you from other students. Don't be too brief when answering "what and why"
questions, but don't ramble, either. Expand on your experience and skills. Focus your responses
on how these relate to the position.
Practice answering interview questions—Practice doesn’t imply that you are memorizing
answers to questions. It is an opportunity to assess how you answer questions, whether you’re
making eye-contact and seem interested, seeing if your explanations are clear, and understanding
the reasoning behind certain questions as well as how to connect your experience to them. You
can
practice with roommates, family, friends, tutors, and by appointment with our advisors. The more
experience you have articulating your thoughts and highlighting your skills, the more effective and
polished you will be.
There are a variety of resources available that offer helpful strategies. Many of these resources are
available through the MCS website, including Big Interview. Additionally, we offer a number of
interviewing workshops. Refer to the “Events” section of our website for dates and times.
Prepare some questions to ask an employer—These questions will help you obtain the
information needed to make an informed decision and also reiterate your interest in the position.
Make sure you know the next step in the process before you leave. Ask, “When might I expect to
hear from you?” and, if applicable, indicate your continued interest in the position.
Be sure your attire is appropriate—A well-groomed, professional appearance is essential.
Anything else will detract from the best possible presentation you can make. Decide what to wear
well before the day of the interview. A good way to determine suitable attire is to look at what
people typically wear in the organization or industry for which you’re interviewing. In general, plan
to wear a fairly formal outfit in a dark color. In some creative and technical fields you may have
more leeway in terms of formal vs. casual attire, but it’s always safe to err on the formal side. Avoid
wild ties, attention-grabbing jewelry, strong scents, and bold colors.
Attire
• dark suit with a light shirt or tailored dress
Corporate Dress
• conservative tie/simple jewelry
(for interviews)
• dark/polished closed-toe shoes
• khakis, dress pants, or skirt
Business Casual
• button-down long-sleeve shirt, sweater set, or blouse
(for employer events)
• have a blazer handy
Map out the location or test your technology—Confirm your day, time, and method of
communication. For virtual interviews, check your tech and internet connection. If traveling, plan
your trip ahead of time, especially if you’re in a major urban area or interviewing at a time when
traffic may delay your travel. Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early so that you can compose yourself.
If you arrive earlier, wait, and review your notes. For virtual interviews you can show up 1-2
minutes early.
Have a good attitude—Project enthusiasm, confidence, and a positive attitude! Convey the
message that you are the best candidate for the position, and that this is the employer for whom
you want to work. A job interview is not the place to be "laid-back"; it’s up to you to “sell” yourself
for the position. Market your skills and experience to fit the job requirements (utilizing your
research of the employer). Be professional, polished, and confident.
What to bring with you to an interview:
• Extra copies of your resume
• Pen and paper or padfolio
• Writing samples (if appropriate for the industry)
When invited to a full day of interviews, bring a bottle of water and a snack such as a granola bar in
case the employer doesn’t provide refreshments. Take a moment between interviews to “recharge”
out of sight of your interviewers.
Don’t Forget To:
• Confirm the location of the interview or virtual meeting link.
• Arrive to an in-person interview 10-15 minutes early.
• Bring extra copies of your resume.
• Smile and make eye contact.
• Send a thank-you email after the interview within 24-48 hours.
TIP: Turn off your cell phone before the interview begins! Interruptions from a phone
call, text, or notification can be very disruptive and seem unprofessional. For virtual
INinterviews,W closTeYaP
ll E
taS
bs and silence email/text alerts on your computer.
Behavioral/Fit Interviews
Many employers use a “Behavioral Interview” to assess candidates’ skills and fit with their
organization. The principle behind this type of interview is that past behavior is a good predictor of
future behavior.
In most cases, the employer has predetermined a specific set of characteristics, often referred to as
“competencies,” that are required to be successful in the available position. Some examples of
competencies include problem-solving, teamwork, communication, writing skills, and leadership.
The employer then designs open-ended questions that ask you to refer back to a particular
situation and describe your actions.
INSIDER TIP: When you are asked a behavioral interview question, think about the
situation you want to describe. What action(s) did you take related to the question asked
and what was the result based on that action?
For example, an interviewer may ask, “Tell me about a time when you were on a team that wasn’t
working well together.” The expectation is that you will cite a specific situation from your own
experience. Unless the interviewer indicates otherwise, this example can come from your work,
school, extra-curricular activity, or volunteer experience. It’s important that you have something
specific to say, and that you can describe your own role and what you learned from the particular
situation. Be as concise as possible while getting your point across.
This type of interview is a great way for you to tell the story behind your resume. Rather than
merely presenting a list of your achievements, you have the opportunity to elaborate on some
particularly impressive accomplishments. Keep a few “storytelling” guidelines in mind:
• 1. Situation, 2. Action, 3. Result—Follow this framework to answer behavioral questions.
• Show, don’t tell—Use a specific example and only include relevant details.
• Stay on topic—Remember the question you’re trying to answer; don’t get sidetracked.
• Have a conclusion—Be sure to include the outcome or what you learned from the
situation.
• Make it resonate—Touch upon why your behavior or response would be useful to the
employer or in the position.
The qualities listed below are sought by many employers, and you’ll want to continue to develop
these across your career. To prepare for interviews, identify and practice telling stories for each of
these eight competencies, demonstrating at least one of the related qualities in your example.
Critical Thinking Learning Orientation
• Deal with complexity • Intellectual curiosity
• Handle ambiguity • Quick learner
• See issues from multiple perspectives • Flexible and adaptable
• Uncover flaws in arguments • Open to new ideas
• Ask informed questions • Innovative
• Reflect on mistakes, able to make
improvements
Leadership Problem Solving
• Demonstrate initiative • See multiple possibilities
• Justify decisions • Evaluate options
• Advocate • Synthesize/integrate information
• Motivate/empower • Multidisciplinary approach
• Demonstrate conviction • Entrepreneurial
• Show good judgment and integrity • Think on your feet
• Resolve differences • Resourceful
Teamwork Communication
• Consensus builder • Strong writing skills
• Listen to others • Public speaking and presentation skills
• Collaborative • Influence and persuade effectively
• Ability to work in diverse teams • Communicate globally—culturally
• Aware of diverse/global perspectives sensitive/aware
• Able to build professional relationships
and network
Concrete/Technical Skills Professionalism
• Research skills • Demonstrate a strong work ethic
• Laboratory skills • Time management skills
• Analysis of large data sets • Responsive and punctual
• Tech/social media savvy • Take accountability for work
• Qualitative/Quantitative analysis • Learn from feedback and mistakes
• Coding Languages • Ethical and responsible
Be sure to practice your interview skills using Big Interview which records mock interviews
for you to assess. See careerservices.fas.harvard.edu/resources/big-interview/.
How Employers Assess “Fit”
In addition to determining how your interests and skills “fit” with the position and organization, the
interviewer is also assessing how you might fit with the company or team culture. Sometimes this is
simply about whether you can connect with the interviewer on some other topic apart from your
work or Harvard experience. Consider how you want to discuss another interest that you have,
whether it be art, current events, gaming, etc., should an interviewer ask you about them—
especially if you’ve referenced these interests on your resume!
Many interviewers also apply what is colloquially referred to as the “airport test,” especially in
fields where people work for long hours in teams. While listening to your responses, the
interviewer is mentally asking him or herself, “Is this someone I could be stuck with at an airport
for 12 hours?” It’s important to keep in mind that this question is not a social question about
friendship—this is in a professional context to encapsulate other questions like: “Can you make the
most out of a bad situation?” and, “Can you get along with your colleagues for long periods of time
under less-than-ideal circumstances?” You may consider applying this test yourself as you evaluate
whether this is an organization or field where you want to work.
Answering Negatively Framed Questions
Interviewers will often ask negatively framed questions as part of a behavioral/fit interview.
These questions, such as "Tell me about a time when you made a mistake" or "What is an area
of weakness for you" can be the most difficult to answer, and it is important to prepare for them.
These questions are being asked in order to understand how you handle challenging and tough
situations, and to gauge how much insight you have into yourself and areas where you need
improvement. Be honest and truthful in your answers, take responsibility for mistakes you have
made, and be accountable for areas in which you need improvement. Try to focus on behaviors,
not personality traits, and talk about ways in which you are working to improve upon
weaknesses. Know that everyone has weaknesses, and everyone has made mistakes. If you are
thoughtful and strategic in your answers, you will provide the interviewer a full picture of you as
a candidate.
Phone Interviews
The phone interview has traditionally been used to screen a candidate’s communication skills,
interest in the position, salary requirements, and other qualifications. This method also helps
minimize the cost of bringing in an applicant from a distant location by first determining whether
they are a strong candidate.
It is becoming common practice for employers to use the phone (and video) interview more
comprehensively beyond a general pre-screen. In light of this, we encourage you to prepare as you
would for any interview. Be ready to answer challenging questions and provide feedback on a
variety of issues related to the field and the organization.
The main difference between a phone interview and a face-to-face interview is the absence of non-
verbal cues. There is a certain amount of energy shared between the interviewer and interviewee
that is somewhat lost in a phone interview. Make sure you compensate for this by being prepared,
focused, and able to communicate clearly.
A few tips:
• Enunciate slowly, clearly, and with adequate volume.
• Convey, through your voice, enthusiasm, passion, and competence. Avoid “up-talk”—the
verbal punctuation of each sentence with a question mark.
• If possible, use a landline instead of a cell phone. If you’re using a cell phone in a crowded
place, the background noise and possibility of static could easily undermine your interview.
• Plan the time and place of your phone interview so that you know you’ll have privacy, a
quiet space, and a good connection.
• Dress as you would for a real interview. Dressing the part will help you focus on the
importance and purpose of the conversation.
• Have plenty of notes in front of you as reminders of questions to ask, background
information about the employer, and perhaps even strategies for answering tough
questions.
• Use your time wisely to earn a chance to meet the employer in person for a follow-up
interview.
• Don’t be afraid of silence. If you’ve given a strong answer and there is no response, the
interviewer is most likely taking notes. Don’t ruin a great response by rambling on with
more details!
Video Interviews
For similar reasons to those described for phone interviews, employers are increasingly using
technology to make a long-distance interview seem as close to a face-to-face interview as possible.
Zoom, Teams, Webex, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, and other video conferencing technologies have
made it possible for employers to interview candidates in a more efficient and cost-effective way. In
addition, these technologies have made it easier for employers to interview students when they’re
studying abroad or otherwise off campus.
Prepare for a video interview as thoroughly as you would for any interview. However, there are
some additional things to keep in mind:
• Become familiar with the technology. Ask what product or service will be used, download it
to your computer (if possible), and practice with your friends and family if you can. This will
make you more comfortable in the interview, allowing you to focus on the conversation.
• Remember that the interviewer will be able to see you AND your surroundings. Items in the
background can reflect on you as a candidate. Find a location with a neutral background or
consider using a simple virtual background.
• Maintain eye contact. Many technologies allow you to view yourself simultaneously, and it is
tempting to monitor yourself rather than stay focused on the interviewer.
• Consider capturing the names of those who attend your virtual interview, as you may not
have an opportunity to receive business cards or follow-up contact info.
• As with an in-person interview, dress appropriately for the position and organization.
• As with a phone interview, make sure that you have privacy, a quiet space, and a good
connection.
On-Demand/Recorded Video Interviews
In an on-demand or recorded video interview, employers use cloud-based software to relay written
or pre-recorded questions, and the student uses the same software and their webcam to record and
submit responses in the allotted time. Some examples of the tools being used include HireVue,
InterviewStream, WePow, and Yello. An advantage of this method for both the employer and the
interviewee is that an organization can share the candidate’s video across a wider team or different
units to find a good fit without needing to schedule multiple interviews. While some students have
complained that this process feels impersonal and does not allow for them to ask questions, note
that you will most likely have at least one real-time interview before receiving an offer.
Some employers consider the recorded interview to be a way of augmenting the resume or
application as opposed to thinking of it as replacing one of the interview rounds. Either way, it is
still a critical evaluation tool for the employers who use it, and students should take time to prepare
accordingly.
Tips to prepare for recorded interviews include:
• Practice by using a tool like Big Interview (available for free through our website). Record
yourself answering interview prompts and use the self-assessment checklists in Big
Interview to evaluate your responses.
• Schedule plenty of time. Typically you will need to complete the interview in one sitting and
cannot pause and come back to it later. Each interview response will have a time limit (e.g.
three minutes), but some employers will allow you multiple attempts at a given question.
Make sure you allow enough time to take advantage of this without rushing the end of your
interview.
• Pick a time to record your interview when you will be at your best, mentally and physically.
• As with any video interview, make sure you have a quiet, private space with a neutral
background. Dress in interview attire, make eye contact, and practice with the specific
software in advance whenever possible.
• Accept any help offered by the employer. Many employers will provide tip sheets on
their website, and other preparation tools specific to their organization.
Technical and Finance Interviews
Technical interviews are often used in fields such as finance and technology. They seek to assess
two things in a candidate:
1. fit for the job and the organization, and
2. technical knowledge.
Assessing “fit” for a position usually involves questions you’re familiar with such as “Tell me about
yourself,” and “Why are you interested in working for our organization?” It may also include
behavioral questions such as “Tell me about a time when you had to work with people who were
different from you.”
The technical questions will be specific to the area for which you’re interviewing. For example,
technology companies, such as Google or Facebook, will likely require those applying for technical
roles (e.g. software engineer, data scientist, product manager) to spend time writing code via a
whiteboard or an online tool and will evaluate and assess your work. There are many websites that
offer coding practice questions such as LeetCode.com, but you may also consider reading Cracking
the Coding Interview by Gayle Laakmann McDowell.
Finance is another industry that is likely to have more technical interviews. Common questions for
investment management positions might include: “Tell me about your dream stock portfolio. What
is your investment strategy? If you’re given a market or an industry, what would be the steps to
evaluate them?” Employers aren’t looking for a deep mastery of technical concepts, but rather a
basic understanding of finance concepts related to the area of finance you are interviewing for (e.g.
investment banking). Make sure that you keep up to date on the literature, terminology, and news
in the field. It is especially important to review the industry news on the day of the interview.
Finance interviews may also use case questions as part of their general interview format. Although
the use of case questions in finance interviews varies depending on the employer, it’s important to
be prepared.
Case Interviews
The case question, inherent in many consulting interviews, is one way of determining whether the
candidate has an aptitude for handling complex business problems, and can reveal a candidate’s
ability to think like a consultant and perhaps even level of desire to do the job.
Case questions most often illustrate the nature of the employer’s work. Questions are sometimes
drawn directly from the employer’s experience or can be crafted on the spot from news of the day.
Most employers don’t expect in-depth business knowledge or high-level business terminology
(there are exceptions, usually on the individual interviewer level). What they’re looking for is
whether the student has the analytical or problem-solving ability and the business sense to know
what matters in a specific situation and can clearly explain it.
Most often, the employer verbally presents a business challenge to the candidate and asks how they
would approach the problem. Sometimes, most notably in later round interviews, employers will
present the candidate with a case study in print and allow the candidate a designated period of time
to analyze the data either alone or in a group. If the case question is presented verbally, make sure
you understand what’s being asked of you. Reiterating the question is an effective way of
confirming that you’re on the right track to begin with, and it gives you a moment to think about the
situation.
Once you’re sure you understand what has been presented, don’t be afraid to ask questions. A few
clarifying questions may well save you from launching into an elaborate analysis that lacks focus
and misses the point.
Case interviews step by step:
• Repeat the question.
• Ask a few clarifying questions.
• Organize your thoughts.
• Share your thoughts on how you are solving the problem with the interviewer.
• Suggest solutions.
In preparing to answer the case question, don’t feel that you need to dive headfirst into immediate
solutions. Remember that it’s not the solutions they’re looking for, it’s the analysis. They want
to hear how you’re thinking about this problem. Organize your thoughts. Think of a systematic way
to look at the evidence that has been presented to you. The guidebooks to answering case questions
offer a variety of frameworks and strategies that can be useful tools for organizing your thoughts,
but none take the place of common sense. You may not have taken business courses at Harvard, but
you most certainly learned how to think analytically and use reasoning.
Begin by talking about how you “might” want to look at the situation. Share your thoughts with the
interviewer to illustrate that you’re thinking about the broadest dimensions of the problem before
you begin suggesting potential paths that you might follow in pursuit of a solution.
Taking the time to introduce your approach allows the employer to see that you get the “big
picture.” In a first-round interview it’s unlikely that you’ll have time to proceed through all of the
necessary analysis. Upon demonstrating an understanding of the scope of the problem and
developing a strategy, the employer may very likely suggest that you spend the rest of your time on
one area of the analysis. For example, “Let’s talk about the customer. How would you carry out that
analysis?” The case interview is not something you want to try without careful preparation and
practice.
Case Interview Tip: Don’t make things overly complicated. For example, if you need to know
population sizes and quick math is needed, round the numbers to make them easily divisible.
For more resources to prepare for case interviews, see:
careerservices.fas.harvard.edu/channels/consulting-business-strategy.
We offer several opportunities to learn more about interviewing and to practice. Refer
to the “Events” section of our website for dates and times.
Resources include:
• Mock interview guides and practice resources
• Interview workshops
• Employer interview and case workshops
• Online interview tutorial
• InterviewStream online interview practice tool
• Firsthand Advisers (connect with Harvard alumni)
Preparation is the key! Plan to spend time each week preparing for interviews and
continue doing so until you get an offer for a job or internship.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General Introduction Questions
• Tell me about yourself.
• How would a friend or professor who knows you well describe you?
• What strengths would you bring to this position?
• In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our organization?
• What are your long/short-term goals and objectives? How will this job help you achieve
them?
• Why did you choose Harvard? Your concentration?
• What class has had the greatest impact on your thinking?
• If you could change something at Harvard, what would it be and why?
• How do you choose your extracurricular activities? Or, why did you choose those you’re
currently involved in?
• What do you think it takes to be successful in this position/organization/field? In what
ways does this fit you?
• What about this organization impresses you in comparison with others in the field?
• What do you believe are the key issues and problems in the field/industry today?
• Why do you want to work here?
• Why should we hire you?
Behavior-Themed Questions
• Describe a situation in which you were required to work with people different from you.
• Describe a time/activity when you were highly motivated to complete a task.
• Tell me about a time when you were tolerant of an opinion that was different from yours.
• Tell me about a time when you worked effectively under pressure.
• Tell me about a time when you handled a difficult situation with a co-worker.
• Tell me about a time when you were creative in solving a problem.
• Describe a time when you were a leader. What is your leadership style?
• Tell me about a time you made a mistake or failed at something.
Questions to Ask Employers
• What is your timeline for the interview process?
• What do you see as the challenges for the person taking this job?
• Do you have new initiatives planned for the next year?
• What role will this position play in addressing these new initiatives?
• Can you tell me how your career has developed at the organization?
• I read on your website that you have a new office in Mumbai. Could you tell me more about
what you’re working on there?
• Describe your ideal candidate to fill this position.
• What do you enjoy most about working here?
• Can you tell me about your own career path?
Questions the Interviewer Should Not Ask
(You are legally not required to answer these questions so feel free to politely decline to answer by
saying “I would prefer not to answer this” or “I’d like to keep the focus to my qualifications for this
role.”)
• What is your age? What is your date of birth? Were you born in the U.S.? Are you a citizen?
• What is your race, religion, national origin, gender identity, or sexual identity?
• Do you have disabilities of any kind?
• Have you ever been treated by a psychologist or a psychiatrist?
• Are you taking any prescription medications?
• Have you ever been treated for drug addiction or alcoholism?
• Are you married, single, or divorced?
• When do you plan to start a family?
• Do you observe the Sabbath or any days that would interfere with this job schedule?
