2019-2020 Purdue University Career Success Handbook

ON-SITE INTERVIEWS • This format is at an onsite location of a company and can be from 30 minutes to 2 days. • Review itinerary of interview schedule for familiarity and travel preparation. • Bring extra copies of resume, professional folio, paper, pen, and interview schedule copy. • Wear comfortable shoes as your visit may involve lots of walking. • Bring a list of questions for each interview session. • Remember to retrieve the name and email or business card of all interviewers. • Treat every interview as if it’s the first, even if it’s at the end of the day.

INTERVIEW AND CAREER FAIR PREPARATION

GROUP INTERVIEWS • Panel - More than one interviewer to one candidate. • Multiple Candidates - More than one candidate to one interviewer. • Combination - Multiple interviewers to multiple candidates. • Shake hands with all interviewers involved and acknowledge additional candidate(s). • Maintain eye contact with everyone in the room throughout interview. • Be prepared for questions that revolve around your individual and teamwork style. • Listen well and be prepared to answer, but you don’t always have to answer first.

CASE INTERVIEWS • These types of interviews are on the rise, especially common in consulting. • Case interviews are similar to situational interviews where a real-world issue is to be solved for the interviewer to analyze how the candidate thinks critically. • Often the real-world problem of the case interview is not revealed until the interview. • Ask questions to ensure clarification. • State all assumptions to keep you and interviewers on the same page of communication. • Read business publications to sharpen and maintain your business acumen. • Read Case in Point by Marc P. Cosentino for a reference to prepare for case interviews.

Remember, send a thank-you note or email within 24 hours of your interview, no matter the format!

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