Interviewing

Phone Interview

Employers may conduct initial interviews by phone, followed by virtual or in-person interviews. Phone interviews are often shorter than other types of interviews. It is recommended that you keep your responses for a phone interview a bit more succinct than for other interview formats since you are unable to receive visual cues to ensure an employer is still paying attention.

One-Way Video Interview

One-way video interviews require you to record yourself responding to preselected interview questions and are often used as an alternative to phone interviews during the initial screening process. You may or may not receive the interview questions in advance. Make sure to read the instructions carefully and record yourself in a quiet space with a neat background.

Virtual Interview

Virtual interviews are live, two-way interviews conducted using video conferencing software. When participating in a virtual interview, you will want to dress professionally and ensure that your background is neat and free from distractions. Resist the urge to read from notes during the interview – employers can tell!

Group Interview

In group interviews, multiple applicants are interviewed at the same time. It can be challenging to find the balance between monopolizing the conversation and being overshadowed by the other applicants, so try not to speak significantly more or less than everyone else.

Panel Interview

In a panel interview, you will be interviewed by multiple people. When you are asked a question, it is recommended that you start by addressing the person who asked you the question and then direct your answer to others in the room as you respond. It’s important to make eye contact and engage with each member of the panel.

Multiple Mini Interview

Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) are used by many professional schools (e.g., medical, dental, physical therapy) as part of their admissions process and consist of a series of short, structured interview stations used to assess applicants’ soft skills. At each station, you’ll be presented with a question or scenario, and you’ll then have a short period of time to prepare an answer. You may want to invest in a book or course to help you prepare, but you can get started with a brief introduction to the MMI.

Case Interview

Case interviews are often used by consulting firms and ask you to address challenging business scenarios while demonstrating your problem-solving skills, analytical ability and strategic thinking. CaseCoach is a case interview preparation platform that provides you with everything you need to go from zero to case interview-ready, including video courses, sample interview videos, case library, peer-to-peer practice room and gamified math, structuring and charts drills. View instructions for accessing CaseCoach on the CDC CareerLINK page.

Tell me about yourself.

This is your opportunity to share whatever information best demonstrates your qualifications for the job. This typically includes a brief overview of relevant education, experience, and skills.

Why do you want to work here?

Even if the organization you’re interviewing with isn’t your dream company, your goal is to make them feel like you have a genuine interest in working there. Use this as an opportunity to share your knowledge about the organization and explain why this opportunity is a great fit for you.

What are your greatest strengths?

When sharing strengths with an employer, be sure to include specific examples. For instance, if you talk about your leadership skills, you’ll want to provide examples of when you have been a strong leader, such as a particular group project you oversaw or an event you led with a campus organization. Make sure that whatever strengths you choose to share are relevant to the position.

What are your greatest weaknesses?

Talking about weaknesses can feel challenging because you want to be honest without making the employer doubt your abilities. Consider the following tips when formulating your answer:

1. Stay away from any weaknesses that relate to direct requirements of the job.
2. Avoid cliché responses such as saying that you are a perfectionist or that you work too hard. Employers have heard these answers time and time again, and they do not demonstrate the ability for self-reflection or critical thinking.
3. Demonstrate a growth mindset by framing weaknesses as “areas for improvement” or “opportunities for growth.”
4. Talk about weaknesses you are able to change (think skills-based rather than personality-based) and focus your response on how you have already made progress.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Employers are not expecting you to have every detail of your life figured out, but they want to know that you have career goals. You can share what type of role or field you see yourself working in, additional training or certifications you would like you to receive, and/or specific skills you would like to develop. This is not the time to share personal goals such as wanting to get married or start a family. If applying for a full-time job, you will also want to avoid topics that indicate you are likely to leave the company.

Why should we hire you?

This is your opportunity to share with the employer anything that makes you uniquely qualified. Are you bilingual and thus able to serve a larger customer base? Are you already proficient in a software system you would need to use in this position? Do you have previous experience working with a similar client population? Use this question to highlight the strengths you bring and your ability to benefit the company.

Check out Big Interview for more information on how to approach these and other common interview questions. View instructions for accessing Big Interview on the CDC CareerLINK page.

Arrive Early

For an in-person interview, plan to arrive about 10-15 minutes early. Leave plenty of time to find where you’re going and park. One of the worst things you can do for an interview is to be late!

Dress Professionally

What you wear to an interview will depend to some degree on the industry and role. If you are applying for a position with a top accounting firm, a suit would be ideal. For a part-time retail job, a collared shirt or blouse with nice pants would be more appropriate. When in doubt, err on the side of more professional and conservative, avoiding anything trendy or revealing.

Visit Big Interview for more detailed information about how to dress for an interview. View instructions for accessing Big Interview on the CDC CareerLINK page. Once signed into Big Interview, select the [Learning] tab and click on [Fast Track]. Click on [Interview Fundamentals] and select [What to Wear].

Come Prepared

Bring the following to an in-person interview:

• Multiple copies of your resume
• A copy of your references
• A notepad and pen for taking notes
• A portfolio with examples of your work, if appropriate

Eliminate Distractions

Be sure that your phone is turned off, and if interviewing virtually or by phone, make sure that you are in a quiet space.

Research Salary Information

When preparing to negotiate salary, the first step is to research typical salaries based on the industry, position type, and location. Salary.com and Glassdoor are the best places to begin this research. You may also want to conduct informational interviews with professionals in the field and ask them about the typical salary range for the type of position you’re interested in. Never ask someone how much they personally get paid. Learn how to request an informational interview and what questions to ask on the CDC Informational Interviews page.

Determine Your Target Salary

Once you’ve identified the typical salary range for a position, you will need to decide what salary you want to ask for. This is called your target salary, and it should fall close to the average salary for the position based on your research. Factors that may influence how far you move up or down from the average include how well your qualifications match the job description and what your expenses are. If you are relocating for a role, you can use a Cost of Living Calculator to determine what kind of salary you will need to cover living expenses in your new city. Remember that your target salary should always be based on data, not just wanting more money.

Identify Your Target Salary Range

When negotiating a job offer, it is best to present your desired salary as a range rather than a specific number because it shows the employer that you are flexible. To determine your target salary range, place your target salary at the bottom and move up 10% - 20%. For example, if your target salary is $70,000, you might share with an employer that you were looking for something in the range of $70,000 - $80,000. Though it may seem counterintuitive to put the salary you want at the bottom of the range, this increases your chances of walking away with your desired salary. Be sure not to provide a range that is too large or your expectations will seem unrealistic to employers.

Determine Your Walk-Away Point

Your walk-away point is the lowest salary you are willing to accept before turning down the job. It’s important to decide upon this number in advance so that you don’t end up accepting a salary you simply cannot afford. However, it is also important to take the following into consideration before turning down a job offer because of the salary:

• Benefits such as health insurance or tuition reimbursement
• How competitive the job market is
• How valuable this experience will be on your resume
• Opportunities for promotion and higher salary in the future

Assess the Value of Benefits

When evaluating a job offer, it’s important to consider the value of available benefits. Benefits to consider include:

• Health/dental/vision insurance
• Life/disability insurance
• Vacation time
• Flexible schedule
• Sick leave
• Telecommuting options
• Tuition assistance
• Retirement plans
• Stock options
• Professional development opportunities

Depending on the organization, benefits may be standard for all employees and not open for negotiation. Regardless, it is important that you consider their value when preparing to negotiate a job offer.

Reflect on Your Qualifications

In addition to determining your target salary, target salary range, walk-away point, and desired benefits, you must also decide which qualifications to highlight during the negotiation process. What skills, experience and accomplishments will you bring that make you worth the salary you are requesting? Perhaps you are bilingual and this will allow you to serve a wider customer base, or maybe you have a history of finding more efficient approaches to your work and thus decreasing expenses. In order to justify asking the employer for a higher salary, you will need to be able to communicate your value.

Delay the Salary Conversation

Though it may be tempting to ask about salary during the interview process, it is best to wait to discuss salary until after you have received a job offer. Once an employer has decided that they want to hire you, they will be more willing to negotiate. If you share salary expectations early on that are higher than what they want to pay, that could factor into their decision of whether or not to hire you.

If an employer asks about your salary expectations before they’ve extended an offer, try to delay the conversation by saying something like, “I’ll be able to answer that more effectively once I have a better understanding of the role," or "I'm confident that we'll agree on a number that's in line with my qualifications and the market value for the position." If the employer pushes for an answer, provide a range rather than a specific number.

Let the Employer Speak First

If possible, let the employer provide you with an offer before sharing your desired salary range. It’s possible that the employer could provide you with a higher offer than you were going to ask for, so it’s best to let them go first. If they ask for your desired salary, you might say, "I would appreciate it if you made me an offer based on what you have budgeted for the position."

Ask for Time Before Responding

Once an employer extends an offer, it’s best to thank them and ask for time to think it over before responding. This will give you time to collect your thoughts and decide if and how you want to negotiate. Be sure to ask the employer when they need a response and the best way to get in touch with them. Always try to negotiate over the phone or via video conference rather than email.

Decide if You Want to Negotiate

The decision to negotiate is yours to make. Choosing not to negotiate means that you may be leaving money on the table, but only you can decide what is right for you.

Provide a Salary Range

When negotiating, remember to always provide a salary range rather than a specific number.

Provide Data to Support Your Request

A sound negotiation strategy is based on data. You need to provide the employer with justification for why you are worth what you’re asking for, so be ready to reference relevant salary data from your research and remind the employer of your qualifications.

Anticipate Resistance

It is unlikely that an employer will offer you your desired salary right away. Try to anticipate arguments that the employer might make during the negotiation, such as, "That's more than I have budgeted for this position," or "Others in this position within the company aren't paid that much." Preparing for these types of responses ahead of time will help you to be more calm and effective during the negotiation process.

Recognize that Negotiation Doesn’t Always Work

No matter how much time you spend preparing, negotiation is not always an option. The salary for some positions may be fixed and you will need either to accept or decline the position based on the initial offer.

How do I apply for Campus Interviews?

1. Select [Jobs] from the top of the CareerLINK homepage
2. Under the search bar, click [Show Me]
3. Select [All Campus Interviews] or [Campus Interviews I Qualify For]
4. Click on the job titles that interest you and submit your resume and other requested documents

How do I upload my resume and other documents to CareerLINK?

1. From the top menu on the CareerLINK homepage, click on the circle with your initials 
2. Select [My Documents] and then [Add New]
3. Select [Document Type] and click [Choose File] to select your document
4. Label your document (e.g., J Smith Marketing Resume)
5. Click [Submit]
6. Select [Add New] to upload other documents including cover letters, unofficial transcripts, or writing samples, if desired

To upload a copy your unofficial transcript, copy the document from My CSULB and paste it into Word, WordPad or other text editor. Save it to your desktop or My Documents, then use your browser to select the document and upload it to CareerLINK.

Once my resume is uploaded in CareerLINK, can employers see it just by scanning the database?

No, employers can only view your resume if you apply for a position they have posted.

What is the difference between "Open" and "Preselect" interviews?

Open: Self-schedule an interview if you meet the employer's screening criteria on the job posting. No employer invitation is required for this type of interview. Select your interview time on CareerLINK. This option is first come, first served.

Preselect: If you meet the employer's screening criteria on the job posting, submit your resume for the Campus Interview position. The employer will review all resumes and select candidates to interview. You will be notified by email if you have been invited to an interview. Then schedule your interview time on CareerLINK. You must first be invited to schedule an interview for a Preselect interview. Employers use this interview type most frequently.

How do the "Preselect" interviews work?

The example below shows schedule details for a Preselect interview.

• Submit a resume until 11:59pm on the [Resume Submission End] date to be considered for a Preselect interview
• Employers review the documents and select their interview candidates after the [Resume Submission End] date
• Those selected for interviews will receive notification by e-mail very early in the morning of the [Sign-Up Start Date]
• After receiving the notification email, sign in to CareerLINK to select your interview time
• Sign-ups end at 11:59 pm on the [Sign-Up End Date] and the schedule closes

Please note that the dates may change to accommodate the employer so check the dates that appear on the right-hand side of the job description page under [Schedule Details].

Why am I unable to submit my resume for some Preselect jobs?

You may not meet the employer's basic screening criteria for certain positions. You can review those requirements by looking on the right side of the job posting page beneath the interview date. If you don't meet each criterion, CareerLINK provides a [non-qualify because] message under [Application Status] at the top right of the job posting page.

How do I cancel a Campus Interview appointment?

Signing up for an interview through Campus Interviews is a commitment that the CDC expects students to take seriously. Failing to show up for an interview or not canceling in a timely manner reflects poorly not only on students, but also on the University as a whole. For this reason, the CDC advises students to take special note of the following Cancellation and No-Show Policies.

We understand that unexpected circumstances may arise. However, if you are unable to make a scheduled interview, interview appointments should be cancelled through CareerLINK whenever possible. Interviews can only be canceled online before 11:59 PM by the stated Sign-Up End Date noted under the schedule details. The Sign-Up End Date varies by employer and schedule - typically from 2-4 days before the interview date - so pay close attention! If the Sign-Up End Date has passed, the student must contact the Campus Interview Coordinator directly at during regular business hours prior to the interview.