Interviewing Checklist for Experienced Villanovans

Interviewing Checklist for Experienced Villanovans is a Villanova Career Center resource that helps students and alumni prepare for interviews before, during, and after the interview process. The checklist gives practical steps for organizing interview preparation, presenting professionally on interview day, and following up afterward.

Preparation checklist items include:

  • Understand who you are and how to tell your story by connecting where you have been, what you have done, and where you are going
  • Develop an elevator pitch, also known as a 30-second pitch
  • Learn what type of interview you will have, such as in-person, telephone, virtual, group, panel, case, or role play
  • Prepare for behavioral interviewing by identifying the core competencies the employer is looking for
  • Use Big Interview as a preparation tool
  • Give examples using the STAR format: Situation, Task, Action, and Result
  • Review common interview questions and practice STAR responses
  • Research the company’s mission, operations, culture, competitors, and industry
  • Prepare smart questions to ask the interviewer
  • Prepare questions for specific interviewers if you know their names and roles ahead of time
  • Complete mock interviews and practice responses
  • Prepare a reference list in case it is requested after the interview
  • Make sure interview attire is clean, neatly pressed, and ready to wear

Interview day checklist items include:

  • Wear business professional attire
  • Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled interview time
  • Be kind and respectful to everyone you meet
  • Bring a padfolio, pen, and at least five copies of your resume
  • Show enthusiasm, relax, smile, and communicate confidence
  • Think before answering questions
  • Focus your answers on skills related to the position
  • Pay attention to interviewer cues
  • Use positive body language, stance, and posture

Follow-up checklist items include:

  • Ask the interviewer about the timeline for next steps
  • Get business cards or names of everyone you met
  • Send an email thank you note within 24 hours to each person you met
  • Send individual thank you emails rather than one generic message
  • Tailor part of each thank you note based on your specific interaction with that person

Students and alumni can use this checklist as a quick reference to stay organized, make a strong impression, and complete important follow-up steps after an interview.

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