Interview Prep - Grad Edition

Research the Company

Knowledge is power. The amount of knowledge you have about a potential employer, and about the industry you hope to work in, can give you a competitive edge, both when making initial contact and before an interview. Information on a company is also invaluable when you evaluate a job offer. Employers expect you to know what they do, who their competitors are, and the current events affecting their organization. Do your homework and research the company before your interview.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers offers accurate compensation data. Use the button below for the NACE Salary Calculator and Salary Data Center.

NACE Salary Calculator & Data Center →

Log in to UCR Handshake to access third-party resources such as Career Insider. You can also visit LinkedIn and Glassdoor for company details.

Before the Interview

• Research the role and the people who will interview you. Note three things that genuinely interest you.
• Re-read the job description. Highlight five required skills you can speak to with examples.
• Choose six STAR stories (Situation, Task, Action, Result) covering communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, working across differences, and one technical skill.
• Prepare 5 questions for the interviewer; include one about culture and one about what success looks like in the first 90 days.
• Do one mock interview with the Career Specialist or a peer.

Common Question Types

Interview Workshops

• Ace the Interview (workshop slides).
• See a list of questions an interviewer should never ask you.

LinkedIn Learning

Check out these courses:

• The Step-by-Step Guide to Rock Your Job Interview
• Mastering Common Interview Questions
• Interviewing Techniques
• Expert Tips for Answering Common Interview Questions

Practice

You can practice interview questions and get feedback in two ways:

• Schedule a Mock Interview Practice (1 hour) or an Interviewing Tips (30 minutes) appointment with a career specialist via Handshake.
• Meet with a Peer Advisor for a 30-minute mock interview session by signing up in person at the Career Center. Sessions are held weekly on Wednesdays each quarter (no summer sessions).

Academic-Specific Interviews

Academic interviews are usually a mix of formal interview, job talk, chalk talk, and informal meetings.

• Tighten your job talk to the exact time and audience. Practice it three times: in your lab, in another lab, and in front of friends from outside your field.
• Prepare a 5 to 10 minute research vision for the chalk talk; map out 3 years and 5 years.
• Prepare 60-second answers for: “Why this department? Why this institution? What classes would you teach?”
• Have a teaching demo ready if asked.
• Bring questions about the department’s tenure expectations, lab or studio space, startup, and mentoring norms.

Dress for Success

First impressions can make or break an interview, so dressing appropriately matters. If you need help, stop by the Career Center.

• Get 3 free items a quarter at the R’Professional Career Closet.
• Update your professional headshot at the R’Professional Photo Booth, at the Career Center during drop-in hours.

On the Big Day

• Dress for success.
• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your interview. Get accurate directions and know how traffic will affect your travel time.
• Turn off your phone. The interviewer should have your full attention; being distracted by calls or texts signals a lack of interest in the company and the job.
• Smile, relax, and be confident, even if you don’t feel like it. Interviewers want to connect with you as a person, so try to be yourself even when you’re nervous.
• Bring extra resumes, a pen and paper, your questions, a list of references, recruiter contact information, and parking or emergency money.

After the Interview

Follow up with a thank-you note or email within 24 hours of the interview. A personal thank-you note shows employers that you understand etiquette and appreciate their time and consideration. LinkedIn has a helpful thank-you-note article that walks you through the steps.

• Note what went well and what you would change; this is the best way to improve.
• If you do not hear back within the timeline you agreed on, send a polite follow-up after that date passes.

Respond to an Offer

The UC Riverside Career Center supports students’ career decisions and employers’ recruitment goals. To meet these goals, we have developed guidelines for students to consider during the job search, along with a set of guidelines for employers. You can schedule an appointment with your Career Specialist for more guidance or support.