Interview + Negotiate

Interview with confidence

Building your work experience means interviewing, whether it's for study abroad programs, student leadership positions, internship programs, or other experiential learning experiences. The Walter Center offers opportunities for interview prep with our career coaches and fully equipped, private interview rooms for your virtual interview.

Prepare for your interview with our four-part formula:

Through research, you will gain valuable insights that will help you present yourself as the best candidate. By informing yourself on the organization, you can align your interview answers with their goals and values, demonstrate genuine interest, and ask informed questions. 

Ask yourself these questions:

  • What is the mission, goal, or purpose of the organization?
  • What kind of content do you see on its official website?
  • Has the company been in the news recently?
  • What projects or initiatives are they currently working on?
  • How much do you know about the culture of the organization?
  • How big is the organization? How many employees does it have?
  • Remember to use your networking skills. Do you know anyone who works at this organization? 

Browse LinkedIn and the Walter Center Success Network to see if any IU alumni work for the company and reach out to see if they would speak with you so you can learn more.

Practicing your interview skills helps reduce stress during the actual interview, allowing you to focus on connecting with your interviewer rather than struggling to come up with answers. Interviewers usually ask a mix of general and industry-specific questions. While you should research specific questions for your industry, common general questions include:

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why are you interested in working with our organization?
  • What is one of your greatest strengths in the workplace?
  • What is an area of weakness for you, and how are you working to address it?
  • How would you handle a disagreement with a coworker?

Respond to questions

Practice answering interview questions with the SPAR/STAR method. SPAR stands for Situation, Problem, Action, Result. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Both methods are effective ways to deliver responses to behavioral interview questions that prompt you to provide an example or share a story. Formulate answers to common questions and practice saying your answers out loud. Use these examples to get started:

Can you tell me about a time you had to problem-solve?

  • S: I was participating in a research project where we manage toddlers' interactions and behaviors.
  • P: One of the children became seriously ill during one of our sessions.
  • A: I took initiative and accessed our emergency contact information database to contact the child's parent.
  • R: I was able to calm the child down without upsetting the other children, and her father was thankful for the way I handled the situation. He assured us that his daughter would return to participate as soon as she felt better.

Describe a time when you worked in a team.

  • S: In one of my psychology classes, we were assigned a group project on early childhood education practices.
  • T: We needed to research and present best practices across cultures in a 20-minute presentation.
  • A: I volunteered to be the group coordinator. I delegated research areas, set deadlines, and organized Zoom meetings for collaboration.
  • R: Our group received a high grade and positive feedback on our clear structure and cultural insights. My classmates appreciated my leadership.

Ask questions

At the end of the interview, you will have the opportunity to ask the employer questions. Asking questions shows your interest and displays your knowledge of the organization. Your questions could include:

  • Can you tell me more about the culture here?
  • What does the onboarding process include?
  • What are your goals for this position in the first six months?
  • How do you see new staff contributing to (initiative or project previously mentioned, or that you came across in your research)?

To help you brainstorm your own questions, think about what you already know, why you care, and ask the interviewer to tell you more about it. For example:

  • Know: I read the company is working to reduce its carbon footprint by 50%.
  • Care: I have a long-standing interest in sustainability.
  • More: Can you tell me more about this new initiative?

At least one interview during your job search will likely be virtual, and it’s important to arrive dressed for success and ready to go, even if you're not leaving your living space. 'Professional dress' can mean many different things in many different contexts. Depending on specific industry expectations, individual workplace cultures, and one's cultural background and style, dressing professionally will inevitably vary significantly from situation to situation.

See examples of business casual and business professional.

Identifying expectations within your field will help you determine what will work best for your individual circumstances. Regardless of what you arrive at for your situation, keeping expectations in mind while wearing what gives you confidence will make for the best first impression. Dress the same for a virtual interview as you would for an in-person one.

Lastly, arrive ready to go for any type of interview:

In-Person Interview:

  • You can take notes! Bring a padfolio or notepad, extra copies of your resume, and your list of questions to ask the employer. Receive a free padfolio upon checking in for your first appointment at the Walter Center.
  • Look up the address, parking, and directions well before leaving, and allow yourself extra time so you can arrive a few minutes early
  • Have their contact info handy

Virtual Interview:

  • If you're not taking notes by hand, have an open document ready to use in a separate window. (Tip: Use the "Split Screen" function on your computer to avoid switching between windows during an interview)
  • Have a list of questions written down to reference during the interview
  • Ideally, find a quiet, uncluttered space free of distractions
  • You will need a computer — you can borrow a laptop from the Student Care and Resource Center or use the Walter Center's interview rooms. You will also need a webcam, a microphone, a working internet connection, and possibly headphones. Test everything before the interview starts. Computers are preferred over other devices because they're easier to avoid interruptions or bad angles.
  • Sign in to the meeting a few minutes early to allow time to sort out technical difficulties.

Pre-Recorded Interview:

  • Carefully review the instructions provided by the employer to ensure you understand the procedure, including the time allocated for each answer.
  • Research the platform you will use to record and submit your responses to learn how it works and how to use it efficiently. You may only have one or two chances to record your answers, so it is essential that you feel confident using this technology.
  • Test your video and audio settings to ensure the recording looks and sounds the way you want it to.

Email a thank-you note 1 to 2 days after the interview to express your appreciation for the interviewer's time and the opportunity. Because so few applicants send a thank-you note, you'll automatically stand out if you do. This note allows you to:

  • Show that you are courteous and professional, which can leave a positive impression on the interviewer
  • State your enthusiasm and remind the interviewer of your interest. Do this by referencing a part of the conversation that was particularly relevant or interesting.
  • Maintain an open line of communication and foster a positive relationship with the employer, regardless of the outcome of your application.

Each interviewer, and, if desired, those who helped arrange the interview, should receive a thank-you note. Write down their names or get their business cards to ensure accuracy. Proofread and check for spelling mistakes before sending.

To get started, you can use the following template:

Subject: Thank you – [Your Name] Interview for [Position]
Dear [Interviewer's Name],
Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the [Position] role at [Company Name]. It was a pleasure to learn more about your team and [specific thing you learned about]. I am excited about the possibility of contributing to [specific project or aspect discussed]. Our discussion reinforced my interest in the position and my belief that my background in [relevant experience or skill] would benefit your team.
Again, thank you for your time. I look forward to connecting again soon.
Best regards,
[Your first name]
[Your Email Signature, including Name, Phone Number, and Email Address]

Negotiate a full-time offer

Once you have been offered a job, you can negotiate the terms of your employment and compensation package. Often, negotiating can help you further your goals, but there are times when it will not. Keep in mind the outcome you desire.

The following steps will help you determine if negotiation is right for you, what to negotiate, and how to negotiate.

Determine what your offer is worth. In addition to salary, consider:

  • Retirement contributions
  • Paid time off
  • Family leave
  • Bonuses
  • Education or professional development funds
  • Healthcare coverage

It's important to know what amount of money you need to afford your daily life. Create a budget and be mindful of your take-home after tax and contributions. Use these resources to help:

Assess the Big Picture

Before entering any negotiation, take time to evaluate how enthusiastic you are about the position overall. Your level of interest may shape your negotiation strategy. Are you committed to accepting the offer no matter what, or will your decision depend on how the negotiation goes?

Identify What You Want to Negotiate

Think strategically about which parts of the offer matter most to you. Organizations differ in how flexible they are—some are open to negotiating salary, while others may be more willing to adjust other elements of the package. Researching through your professional network or resources like Glassdoor.com can provide insights into a company’s typical negotiation practices.

Explore Alternative Areas of Flexibility

Even if an employer is firm on salary, they may be open to adjusting other aspects of the offer. Consider negotiating:

  • Work schedule or hours
  • Remote or hybrid work options
  • Additional paid time off
  • Reduced travel expectations

Depending on your industry or role, other negotiable items might include technology or equipment, professional development opportunities, or membership fees for professional organizations.

Commonly Negotiable Aspects of a Job Offer

While not everything is always open for discussion, many offers include elements that can potentially be negotiated, such as:

  • Base salary
  • Job location
  • Relocation assistance
  • Start date

Keep in mind that benefits like health insurance and retirement plans are often standardized across the organization and may not be flexible.

While the terms of negotiation are important, the way you negotiate can significantly influence the outcome. It's essential to conduct yourself with confidence, realism, and grace when presenting your research. Being well-informed about industry standards and organizational resources makes you much more persuasive.

Direct inquiries tend to yield the best results. Let the employer introduce the topic of compensation first. Once compensation is mentioned, you should inquire about the various components of the compensation package.

Some tips to help you prepare for your negotiation delivery:

  • Salary expectations: Often discussed in screening interviews, so be ready to share your desired salary range from the time you apply. Use your desired salary as the lower end and extend the upper end by about 5–10%
  • Formal negotiations: Typically occur when an offer is made. Regardless of whether you negotiate via email, phone, or video, always obtain the final terms in writing. If the conversation occurs over phone or video, follow up with an email summarizing the discussion to ensure a clear written record
  • Know your 'walk away' number: You may be willing to accept a salary lower than your stated range—know what this number is
  • Lean on career coaches: You can speak with a career coach about negotiating offers. Schedule an appointment in Handshake for personalized guidance

Practice negotiating with these sample scenarios:

Example 1: Negotiating Relocation Costs

  • Scenario: You’ve been offered a full-time position in a different part of the country. You'll need to end your lease early and move your furniture and belongings, which you've discovered will cost more than you currently have or will earn in your first few months on the job.
  • Preparation: Calculate your relocation expenses, including gas prices, moving company or truck rental fees, travel time, lease termination fees, and deposits for a new apartment. Summarize this budget clearly so you can present it to the employer.
  • Sample Script: "After researching moving costs and creating a budget for relocating to your city, I've realized that I will be struggling to cover expenses the first few months of my employment. Would it be possible for me to receive reimbursement in addition to my starting salary?"
Example 2: Negotiating Starting Salary

  • Scenario: You’ve received two full-time job offers. Firm A aligns more closely with your career goals and values, but Firm B is offering a significantly higher salary.
  • Preparation: Research typical entry-level salaries for your field, considering job location and cost of living. Compare both offers to industry averages and prepare a concise summary of your findings to present to Firm A.
  • Sample Script: "Thank you so much for offering me a position at Firm A. I have received another offer, which appears to match the average compensation in this career field, whereas Firm A's offer is lower. Would we be able to negotiate my starting salary, an incentive, or a retention bonus?"

Reserve a private interview room for your virtual interview

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