Before the Interview

PREPARATION

Review the Job Description

What skills are listed as qualifications for the job? For example: • Does the organization say they need team players? • Someone with a strong attention to detail? • Keen problem solvers? • Someone with superior customer service?

Don’t have a Job Description?

• Think about the skills that might be necessary for the job or speak to a

Career Advisor

Research Employer • Demonstrating sufficient knowledge of an organization is one of the easiest ways that you can distinguish yourself from the hundreds of other students who are interviewing for the same position.

Top Ten Things You Need to Know

• What is the size and structure of the organization? • Where are they located (headquarters and additional locations/branches)? • What are the potential new or already existing products and services? • What is the management philosophy and style? • What types of training and development programs are offered? • What are the current industry trends and issues? • How does this firm distinguish itself from its major competitors? • What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the position for which you are interviewing? • What is the typical promotional path? • Has the firm been mentioned in any recent publications (i.e., newspapers, magazines, press releases, etc.)?

Before the Interview

PREPARATION (continued)

Conducting Research

How do you get the answers to the questions on the previous page? • Perusing the company website • Join the Bentley University Community LinkedIn group and to connect with fellow alumni who can provide you with critical information • Additional online resources: Vault, Glassdoor, Library Databases, and

Trading Room Resources • Consult a Career Coach or Reference Librarian if you need assistance

Practice • Reflect on your experiences that tie into the skills / qualifications the employer is seeking • Practice your answers to sample questions (available in the Interview Styles and Questions section of this guide) – this can be done with a friend, family member, roommate, Career Advisor, by yourself, or through Big Interview