Interview Preparation
Employer Research
There is abolutely no substitute: employer research is critical to interviewing. Here are some ways to get started.
- Become very familiar with the employer's website. Not doing so is a common but grave mistake. The interviewer will quickly discover if you know the basics or not.
- If the employer is participating in on-campus recruiting, attend their information session if they hold one. Employers expect interviewees to exhibit an understanding of the material covered.
- Visit the employer's table if they attend a career fair at Johns Hopkins. Career fairs are both an opportunity for the employer to get to know you and for them to share information about the organization.
- Learn what the position requires in detail. This allows you to relate your experiences to the position requirements and to show why you are perfect for the job. The first step is to take a close look at the job or internship description.
- Read any recent news items and on-going trends related to the employer or the employer's industry. Use Vault, industry journals and local business journals to learn more.
- Use Johns Hopkins Connect and LinkedIn.com to contact JHU alumni who work at the organization. Alumni can tell you more about the organization and the position for which you are applying. Online alumni profiles are also available in the Hopkins Career Profiles.
- Make use of the Hopkins library's business research resources.
- Explore Hopkins Career Profiles to get an overview of the industry as well as links to industry specific resources.
- Check out the Riley Guide for more tips on employer research.
This list is not meant to be exhaustive, but to get you started. If you have questions, schedule an appointment with a Career Center counselor.
Developing Your Interview Skills
Interviewing takes practice. Do not wait until the last minute to begin preparing for your interview. Here are some things you can do to prepare for your interview:,/
- Schedule a Mock Interview at the Career Center- You will need to schedule two appointments, a thirty minute interview preparation appointment, followed by a sixty minute mock interview appointment. You will need to email the counselor a copy of your resume and the job description of the position you would like to practice interviewing for. The counselor will tailor the questions to that specific position.
- Make sure you review the job description and prepare a list of the key skills the employer is looking for.
- Prepare specific examples from your education and experience and think about how they fit with the skills the employer is looking for. Practice describing your specific examples at length.
- Prepare questions for their interviewer ahead of time.