Interview Preparation

An interview is an opportunity to present your creative vision, articulate the value of your experiences, and determine if an opportunity aligns with your goals. A strong interview—whether in person, virtual, or automated—demonstrates thorough preparation, clarity of thought, and professionalism.

Interviews can take several forms, each requiring a tailored approach:

• In-person: Typically structured as a one-on-one conversation or panel dialogue. Arrive ahead of schedule, dress in contextually appropriate attire, and bring printed copies of your resume or portfolio, as applicable.
• Virtual: Prevalent in preliminary stages. Select a quiet, visually neutral environment with adequate lighting. Prior to the interview, test your audio, video, and internet connection to ensure technical reliability.
• Pre-recorded or automated: Often involves responding to standardized prompts under time constraints without a live interviewer. Practice delivering clear, concise answers. Treat these with the same level of focus and preparation as a live interview.

Big Interview is an interactive platform available to all SAIC students and alums. It offers tailored question sets, mock interviews, video-based feedback, and resources to strengthen your interview skills.

View instructions to access Big Interview on Handshake.

Effective interviews do more than recount accomplishments; they illuminate your critical thinking, creative methodology, and capacity for collaborative problem-solving.

Use the STAR method to structure responses:

• Situation: Provide context.
• Task: Outline your role or objective.
• Action: Explain the steps you took.
• Result: Highlight the outcomes and what you learned.

Be prepared to discuss:

• A recent project and how it evolved
• A collaborative experience and your role within it
• A challenge you encountered and how you addressed it
• Why this particular opportunity resonates with you

If you are preparing for interviews outside the US, GoinGlobal offers helpful guidance on country-specific interview expectations, etiquette, and follow-up customs.
 

Conclude your interview with a few specific, well-researched questions. This signals genuine interest and a strategic mindset. Avoid initiating discussions about compensation or benefits during the initial interview. These topics are best addressed later in the hiring process. Consider:

• What does a typical day in this role involve?
• How does the team support early-career professionals, interns, or new hires?
• What does success look like in this role?

✓ A current resume or CV (digital or printed)
✓ Your portfolio (tailored to the role or opportunity)
✓ A short list of questions
✓ A notebook and pen for taking notes

For virtual contexts, organize all materials on your device in advance. Eliminate desktop clutter and silence notifications to maintain a professional digital environment.

Within 24 hours, send a concise thank-you email. Reference a specific topic from your conversation and reaffirm your enthusiasm. This gesture underscores your thoughtfulness and attention to detail. For more information about and examples of follow-up emails, view our companion resource on professional etiquette.

CAPX offers individualized advising to help you cultivate a strategic, articulate, and authentic interview presence. Schedule an appointment through Handshake to meet with an advisor.