Interviews & Negotiations
Employers use interviews to assess your qualifications, evaluate your fit, and promote their organizations. But interviewing is a two-way street. Your goals are to share more about your qualifications, learn about the job and employer, and determine whether they are right for you.
Interviews can take many different forms—from initial screening interviews to in-person panels to job talks—and can vary by industry. For example, consulting has case interviews, many research and tech roles have technical interviews, teaching positions often require a demo lesson, and most industries also conduct behavioral interviews. The good news is that while the type of interview will depend on the role and industry, the preparation is largely the same.
Preparing for Interviews
Interviewing is a skill you develop over time. Begin preparing for interviews early in your job search so you are ready when opportunities arise. And as a pro-tip, PDF job descriptions, so you can revisit them ahead of interviews!
Know Yourself
Reflect on your education, experiences, accomplishments, strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values and how they relate to opportunities you are seeking. Review your résumé and cover letter and practice how to articulate your skills and accomplishments. Be mindful of framing your experiences in an approachable and relevant way for your audience who may not have the same academic training as you do.
Research
Learn everything you can about the organization (its mission, people, location, size, structure, products and services, culture, customers, and competitors) and the industry. This will help you respond to questions in a way that aligns your pursuits with the organization and think of thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. Employers’ websites are great starting points as are informational interviews and coffee chats with representatives from the organization.
Practice
Practice responses out loud with a friend, family member, or colleague to become more comfortable and confident. Receiving feedback on your specific responses and nonverbal behaviors can help you improve your interviewing skills. If you are a PhD student, schedule a mock interview with an NCA PhD adviser—it is a great way to receive personal feedback on your interviewing techniques. If you are a postdoc, reach out to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs for interview resources. If you are preparing for an academic interview, in addition to engaging with NCA advisers, you can contact your director of graduate studies or department placement officer to see if they also conduct mock interviews and/or job talks.
What to Expect During the Interview
Most interviews follow a similar structure and can be divided into three stages:
For sample interview questions, answers, as well as thank-you templates, see the NCA Career Guide.