Interview Guide Checklist

Job Posting Preparing for the Interview

■ Carefully review each job posting, highlighting key words related to skills, knowledge and
experience * Can you comfortably articulate your values, knowledge, skills, experience and interests
■ Remember: Always save or print a copy of each job posting you apply to, as you will need to as they relate to the position and company you are interviewing with?
review this before an interview
* Did you perform an adequate amount of research on the prospective employer?
Interviews * Have you prepared knowledgeable and insightful questions to ask at the interview?
The purpose of the interview is to determine whether you are right for the job and whether the * Did you familiarize yourself with the various interview formats?
job is right for you; think of the interview as a conversation between you and the employer where
you are both learning about each other. Most interviews are either held one-on-one or in a panel
* In order to prepare yourself for a behavioural based interview, did you familiarize
yourself with the SOAR technique?
setting with multiple interviewers.
* Have you reviewed possible questions interviewers might ask and prepared responses
Interview Structure to them?

Introduction * Is the outfit you’ve chosen to wear professional, clean and well pressed?
■ You’ll want to establish a positive rapport with the interviewers within the first few minutes; be * Do you know what strategy you will use to approach inappropriate questions? Human
Rights law prohibits employers from asking you about certain personal information.
friendly, smile, make eye contact and make sure you have a professional handshake
■ Interviews often begin with a few minutes of small talk to help break the ice
■ Remember the PAWS acronym when answering the “Tell me about yourself” question
P – Personal A – Academics W – Work experience S - Skills
During the Interview
Overview * Did you arrive 10-15 minutes early for your interview?
■ Interviewers will often provide some structure for the interview process; show your interest by * Were you friendly and courteous, even from the moment you arrived?
listening attentively
* Did you answer the employer’s questions using the SOAR format when appropriate?
Questions
■ The length of this section of the interview can vary quite a bit and may include a variety of
* Did you reference the job posting or the organization as it relates to your background,
skills, values, knowledge or abilities?
questions assessing your competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities), behaviours, attitude, or
knowledge of the company and position * Did you sit up straight and speak clearly?
Closing * Did you shake each interviewer’s hand at the beginning and end of the interview?
■ Interviewers will typically explain next steps in the hiring process and ask you if you have any
questions for them; have some prepared
Following the Interview
Social Media and Your Job Search * Did you follow up with the employer to send a thank you note or email within 48 hours?
■ Review all of your social media accounts and privacy settings * Did you reflect on how the interview went and how you might improve? It is acceptable
■ Consider creating a LinkedIn profile which allows you to upload your resume content and to ask the employer for feedback if you do not receive a job offer.
connect with professionals locally and around the world
■ For tips on how to build a professional student LinkedIn profile check out the Leverage LinkedIn
article at students.usask.ca/articles/linkedin.php
■ It is common for interviewers to review your social media accounts and online presence
Last updated 2019-2020
Preparing for the Interview Interview Types
■ Reflect on your personal interests, skills, qualifications and goals; this will enhance your ■ Basic/Traditional – typically include open-ended questions designed to get to know you
ability to communicate how and why you would be a good fit for the position ■ Behavioural Based – builds upon the premise that future performance is best predicted by
■ Do your research on the organization and the position so that you can better respond to past behaviour; questions focus on real-life experiences and actions
questions asked of you in the interview and so that you can clarify anything that you do not One technique for formulating strong answers to behavioural questions is the SOAR acronym.
understand
SITUATION | Provide a brief overview of the situation you experienced, and who was involved
■ Read and re-read your resume and be prepared to use a variety of examples OBSTACLES | Outline the specific problem or issue that you faced
■ Practice and review a variety of questions either on your own or with a friend; register for ACTION | Explain the action(s) you took to solve the problem or issue that you faced and why
InterviewTalks or a mock interview at the Student Employment and Career Centre (SECC) RESULT | Describe the positive result or outcome of your actions; your actions; if using an
example with a negative outcome, discuss what you learned and/or how you would
■ Reconnect with your references to update them on the position you are interviewing for, act differently
and ensure they each have a copy of your resume
■ Dress one step above the appropriate attire for the job; pay attention to personal grooming, ■ Case Style – is a common consulting firm interview style. It allows interviewers to see how
and ensure you do not wear heavily scented products you respond to situations that may arise, especially those that require problem solving; can
be done individually or in a group setting; critical thinking, creativity and presentation are
the most important skills to showcase. The types of case questions include:
What to Take to an Interview * Business problem and strategy questions
* Brainteasers
■ Extra copies of your resume; a list of your references; letters of recommendation (if you have
* Market sizing/estimate questions
them); questions that you have prepared to ask at the interview; a business folder including
paper and a pen ■ Assessment/Testing – this can be administered prior, during or following an interview
■ Second and Subsequent Interviews – once you get to the second interview you are one step
Prepare and Polish closer to receiving the job offer; the second interview can be more intense as you may meet with
more people involved in the hiring decision; they may be longer and you may need to travel
■ Knowing how you will answer questions will help you to feel and appear more confident, but
■ Telephone/Teleconference – phone interviews can be used as screening tools to narrow
if you are stumped on a question don’t be afraid to ask the interviewer to clarify or repeat the
down a pool of applicants; the challenge is to gain rapport and show enthusiasm with the
question, or ask to come back to it
interviewer when you cannot see their non-verbal cues; speaking confidently and clearly
■ Develop a strategy to deal with inappropriate questions such as those that pertain to your is essential
nationality, age, religious affiliation, political views, gender, etc. Your options are: ■ Presentation – job seeker is asked to prepare a presentation (usually in advance) which is
* Answer the question by addressing what you believe are the underlying concerns then presented
* Ask for clarification on how the information being asked relates to the position
■ Reception/Dining – one or more job seekers and one or more interviewers; conducted over
* Politely indicate that you are not comfortable answering the question and ask if there is an
a meal or beverages
underlying concern that you may be able to address
■ Group – groups of candidates are placed together during the interview process; make sure to
* Answer the question to the extent you are comfortable with
participate without dominating the group; showcase your interpersonal skills
■ Reconnect with your references to update them on the status of the position for which you ■ Role Play – the job seeker participates in a fictional situation which replicates a scenario that
are interviewing might occur in the position sought
■ Video Conference (Skype) – online format with one interviewee and one or more
■ Polishing up your communication skills is essential to effectively showcase your skills and
interviewers; be sure to check your webcam and microphone in advance, and ensure the
abilities during the interview; knowing industry-specific language can be helpful
space around you is free of distractions
■ Recorded video interviews – online interview format where you record responses to
questions on the employer’s website

2
Behavioural Descriptive Interview (BDI) Questions
Are you ready for your interview? You must be able able to articulate your values, skills, abilities, experience and career goals and also identify areas for professional growth. Employers who hire uSask students and
alumni look for candidates who display career readiness competencies in addition to other possible competency areas. Try to use the SOAR technique to answer BDI Questions.

NACE’S CAREER READINESS COMPETENCIES* Oral/Written Communications

Professionalism/Work Ethic Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms to people inside and outside the
organization. The individual has public speaking skills; is able to express ideas to others; and can write/edit
Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits, e.g., punctuality, working productively memos, letters, and complex technical reports clearly and effectively.
with others, and time workload management, and understand the impact of non-verbal communication on ■ Give an example of a time when you used your communication skills effectively.
professional work image. The individual demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior, acts responsibly with the ■ Tell me about a time when poor communication skills resulted in an undesirable outcome. What did you learn?
interests of the larger community in mind, and is able to learn from their mistakes.
■ Tell me about a time when there was a conflict in the workplace and how you handled it.
■ Tell me about a time when you questioned a colleague’s integrity/honesty/ethics.
■ Tell me about a time when you had to provide criticism of a colleague’s work.
■ Tell me about a time when you made a significant mistake at work. What was the outcome and how did you deal
■ Describe a time when your listening skills enhanced your ability to communicate.
with it?
■ Tell me about a time when your assumptions resulted in poor judgment. Digital Technology
■ Give an example of an occasion when you demonstrated genuineness with a client or customer. What did you
Leverage existing digital technologies ethically and efficiently to solve problems, complete tasks, and
say/do, and what was the outcome?
accomplish goals. The individual demonstrates effective adaptability to new and emerging technologies.
■ Describe how you have used technology to enhance your work.
Teamwork/Collaboration ■ Give an example of a time when technology hindered your ability to perform well on the job.

■ Tell me about a time when you used technology to improve your communication skills or get your point across.
Build collaborative relationships with colleagues and customers representing diverse cultures, races, ages,
■ Describe your experience with audio/visual equipment.
genders, sexual orientations, religions, and viewpoints. The individual is able to work within a team structure,
and can negotiate and manage conflict. ■ Describe how you have implemented troubleshooting strategies with equipment when you did not have the

■ Explain a technique that you have used to effectively motivate; and organize, prioritize, and delegate work. appropriate support available.
■ How have you dealt with conflicts in the workplace (with managers/employees) in the past?
Global/Intercultural Fluency
■ Tell me about a time when you had to teach a co-worker something new in order to proceed with a collaborative

project. Value, respect, and learn from diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and religions. The
■ Tell me about a time when you volunteered to take a project off someone else’s hands.
individual demonstrates openess, inclusiveness, sensitivity, and the ability to interact respectfully with all
people and understand individuals’ differences. As a uSask graduate, demonstrating substantive knowledge of
■ In your past work experience, how have you adapted to collaborating with someone who has a different working
Indigenous peoples, and their history, is also crucial.
style than yours?​
■ ​Tell me about a time when your political, economic and/or geographic knowledge was useful to talk about world

events
Leadership ■ Describe how you would stay globally connected to others

■ Describe your cross-cultural communication skills and how you have used them to solve a problem.
Leverage the strengths of others to achieve common goals, and use interpersonal skills to coach and develop
others. The individual is able to assess and manage their emotions and those of others; use empathetic skills to
Career Management
guide and motivate others.
■ Describe an occasion when you had to take control in a team setting and get the group back on task. Identify and articulate one's skills, strengths, knowledge, and experiences relevant to the position desired and
■ Tell me about a time when you took the initiative to complete a project. career goals, and identify areas necessary for professional growth.
■ What are your short/long term goals and how does this position connect?
■ Give an example of a workplace setting in which you have performed your best.

■ Tell us about your career plan and what has led you to this position?
■ Describe how you have set an example for success in the workplace. What did you do and how did it influence

your work environment?

Interview Question Topics

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
■ Background/Education Questions
Exercise sound reasoning to analyze issues, make decisions, and overcome problems. The individual is able ■ Previous Experience or Employment Questions
to obtain, interpret, and use knowledge, facts, and data in this process, and may demonstrate originality and ■ Skills and Qualifications Questions
inventiveness.
■ Strengths and Accomplishments
■ Give an example of a problem you have dealt with in the past that had more than one solution.
■ Career Goals
■ Tell me about a time when you had to quickly adapt to unexpected events in your workplace.
■ Personal Traits, Character, Values
■ Describe a project that you completed and any difficulties you encountered along the way. Explain the difficulties

you had.
■ Questions about the company or position
■ When planning a project, what initial considerations have you made before going ahead? Give examples.

Adapted from the Career Readiness Materials developed by the National Association of Colleges and
Employers (NACE)

3
10 Essential Potential questions to ask
Interview Questions at the interview
You should be prepared to answer these common and challenging questions at every It is important to come prepared with questions that you will ask at the interview to help you better
understand the position and to show the interviewer(s) that you are interested and knowledgeable
interview about their organization

1. Tell me about yourself.

2. What are your short and long term goals and how does this position fit with them?
Connect
■ What do you love most about working here?
3. What is your greatest weakness? ■ How did you come to work here?​​
Why is this a good place to work?
4. What are your three greatest strengths?
■

■ How long have you been at the company and what makes you stay?
5. What interests you about this position and the work?
6. What do you know about our company? Culture (Corporate)
7. Why are you leaving your current position?
■ T​ ell me about your most successful recent hire, and what qualities make them stand out?
■ Tell me about the character of your employees.
8. How has your past experience prepared you for this role? ■ Who are the key staff that I will be working with?
9. Why should we hire you? ■ How would you describe the work environment and corporate culture?
10. What kind of salary are you expecting?
Challenges
■ What do you see as the potential challenges or threats that will impact this work?
■ How will I measure my own performance so I know I'm having a positive impact on this

Closing questions ■
challenge?​
Are there succession documents in place?

they may ask Closing

■ ​ hat are the next steps in the interview process?
W
■ Do you have any questions for us? ■ When will a decision be made?
■ Are there any skills or attributes that I have not addressed that would improve my candidacy?
■ When would you be available to begin work if you were chosen as the candidate?
■ Would you leave a list of references with us? (if they aren’t already supplied)

STUDENT EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER CENTRE USASK.CA/SECC

G50, Lower Marquis Hall (below the bookstore) Email: [email protected]
97 Campus Drive Tel: (306) 966-5003
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 4L3
Web: CareerLink.usask.ca usaskSECC