deadline event featured list timeline open-book pencil-paper dummy arrow checkbox chevron close fetus fingerprint hamburger heartbeat magnifying-glass minus plane plus ribbon search shape skinny-arrow trophy uva-engineering-logo uva-seas-logo venus-symbol molecule award calendar contact email home left-arrow lightbulb news publications research youtube linkedin instagram twitter facebook
Jump to Header Jump to Main Content Jump to Footer
University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science | Homepage
  • Future Grads
    • Graduate Admission
    • Graduate Programs
    • Diversity, Equity, Engagement
    • Professional Development
  • Future Undergrads
    • Explore Engineering
    • Admission
    • Academics
    • Student Life
    • Undergrad Research
    • Diversity, Equity, Engagement
  • Research
    • Engineering for Health
    • Engineering for the Cyber Future
    • Engineering Technologies for a Sustainable and Connected World
    • Office of Research
    • Faculty Labs & Groups
    • Multidisciplinary Team Labs and Groups
    • Centers & Institutes
    • Research Facilities
    • Undergraduate Research
  • Departments
    • Biomedical Engineering
    • Chemical Engineering
    • Computer Science
    • Electrical and Computer Engineering
    • Engineering and Society
    • Engineering Systems and Environment
    • Materials Science and Engineering
    • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Degree Programs
    • Aerospace Engineering
    • Biomedical Engineering
    • Chemical Engineering
    • Civil Engineering
    • Computer Engineering
    • Computer Science
    • Electrical Engineering
    • Engineering Science
    • Materials Science and Engineering
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Systems Engineering
  • About
    • Mission and Vision
    • Approach to Education
    • Meet the Dean
    • Facts and Stats
    • Diversity, Equity, Engagement
    • History
    • Facilities
    • Visit Us
    • Corporate Partnerships
    • Offices and Programs
  • Find Faculty
  • Current Faculty & Staff
  • Current Students
  • News
  • Events
  • Engage
  • Give
Jump to Footer
  • Home
  • Career Development - Interviewing
  • Types of Interviews

    We want to help you prepare for your next interview, no matter the style of interviewing questions or the location of the interview.

    Resumed-based interviews

    Many employers will include resume-based questions in an interview. With this style, interviewers may ask you to discuss in detail any experience from your resume. You may be asked to elaborate on a project, leadership position, or summer job in depth. Before an interview, be sure to revisit your resume and refresh yourself on details you may have forgotten.

    For EACH experience on your resume, ask yourself:
    What was the best part of that experience? What was the most challenging?

    • What am I most proud of from this experience?
    • What are 2-3 things I learned or improved upon as a result of this experience?
    • How has this experience helped prepare me for THIS job?

    Behaviorial interviews

    No matter what type of position you apply to, you're likely to encouter at least one behavioral interview during your job search. Many employers believe that the best way to predict your future performance on the job is to learn more about your previous behavior and experiences.

    You'll be asked to tell a story about a situation in which you've demonstrated a particular skill, for example "Tell me about a time you worked effectively with a team". If you've exhibited strong teamwork skills through course projects, summer jobs, or involvement in committees and clubs, employers have confidence that you can bring those same skills to their organization. 

    We recommend using the popular STAR technique as a model for answering behavioral interviewing questions. Here's another great example of how to use the STAR technique in your interview answers.

    Here are 5 tips for behavioral interviewing from Heather Palmer, some typical behavioral interviewing questions to prepare for from TheMuse.com and here are more practice questions from the UVA HR department.

    Video recordings from past behavioral interviewing workshops:

    Behavioral Interviewing Workshop Winter 2022 - presented by Heather Palmer

    Behavioral Interview Tips - Presented by Accenture

    Behavioral Interview Workshop with Accenture from Fall 2021 Career Week

    Technical Interviews

    If you're interested in programming or software engineering, you'll likely experience one or more technical interviews with any given employer. Questions may range from your level of experience with certain technologies to writing code on a whiteboard to explain a technical concept or solve a puzzle. 

    1. A good place to start is to watch one in action:

    Google sample whiteboard interview question

    Sample Whiteboard interview question and solution

    Google Technical Interviewing Workshop

     

    2. Books to read and study

    Cracking the Coding Interview (available to check out from the Center for Engineering Career Development)

    Big Tech Interview Prep - Newsletter on technical interviewing with lots of great advice and practice questions

     

    3. Read sample questions and answers and practice!

    Leetcode.com - Great sample questions, discussion board and mock technical interview questions.

    Pramp.com - Get paired with a peer to practice together

    Example Technical Interview Questions

    Entry Level Software Developer Technical Interview Questions from Reddit

    Practice Technical Interview Questions by Skill

     

    4. Take or watch a short online workshop

    Technical Interviewing Workshop presented by '20 CS grad, Andrew Ni

    How to Ace a Developer Interview from LinkedIn Learning

    Technical Interviewing Workshop presented by Women in Computing Sciences at UVA (WiCS)

     

    5. Other helpful bits of advice

    5 Tech Interviewing Tips from UVA Career Center

    5 Smart Moves to Make in a Technical Interview - Be sure to check out the slides at the bottom of the article.

    Personal Account of Facebook Developer Interview Process

    Google Technical Interview Prep

     

    6. Attend Career Center events related to technical interivewing

    Technical Interviewing programs and events on Grounds

    Case Interviews

    Most consulting firms use case interviewing, in which candidates analyze a problem and propose a solution or recommendation.

    Every year our team invites employers and alumni to Grounds to conduct mock case interviews and case interviewing workshops, and you can find upcoming events in Handshake. You also have free access to the Vault Guide to Case Interviews through the Resources section of Handshake.

    Learn more about how to ace the case with these tips or consider reading a book that guides you through various sample cases, such as Case in Point, which you can borrow from our office. 

    Case interview prep from:
    Bain & Company

    McKinsey & Co

    Deloitte

    Tips for completing consulting digital Problem-Solving Game 

    Additional interviewing tips

    Ace your Video Interview

    5 Tips to Acing Your Phone Interview

    Guide to Acing Your Skype Interview

    How to Prepare for a Phone or Skype Interview

    Tips for various interview formats, such as On-Grounds Interviewing (OGI), on-site interviews, panel interviews, and group interviews

  • Interview Prep

    Prepare for your interview in three stages – know what to do before, on the day-of, and after the experience.

    BEFORE AN INTERVIEW

    Research
    Review the company's website, LinkedIn page (follow the company on LInkedIn too!), Glassdoor and Handshake reviews and sample interview questions, and other web presence (e.g., news articles, blog posts, twitter).

    Revisit & Reflect

    • Revisit the description of the job you’re interviewing for. Identify the technical and non-technical skills this employer wants in a candidate - the questions they ask will likely revolve around the skills in the job description.
    • Reflect and find a story that demonstrates you possess each skill. If there is a technical skill you don't have, think about a similar skill/tool/technology that you do have experience with. You can talk about how experience with this related skill will make learning the new skill easier for you. 
    • Review common interviewing questions below and think about how you would respond.

     

    Practice 

    Once you have some responses in mind, practice talking about your stories out loud, even just to yourself. Practicing our delivery boosts confidence and helps us develop clear, concise responses. TIP: Use the STAR technique to help structure your responses to behavioral and resume-based interview questions.

    You can also practice your answer to the "Tell me about yourself" question on VMock. Click on the Elevator Pitch module to record your answer and receive instant AI generated feedback.

    Many first round interviews are done using a service called HireVue now where you'll record your answers to preset questions. Hirevue has a number of blog posts and videos to help you prepare for this type of interview.

    One of the best ways to practice your interview skills is to do a mock interview. Make an appointment with the career center to schedule a mock interview in Handshake.

    DAY-OF AN INTERVIEW

    From your appearance to how you communicate, make a positive impression with employers on the day of your interview. Navigate the day with tips 9-26 here and use these 7 tricks to help you sound confident (even if you're not). When you know what to expect, you'll make a positive impact throughout the process.

    AFTER AN INTERVIEW

    Knowing when to check in (and how often) after an interview can be confusing. Review these tips for recommendations on email etiquette and timing.

    After the Interview: follow-up and thank you notes

    4 non-annoying ways to follow up after an interview

    Do you need to accept or decline an offer? Ask for more time to make a decision? Review these tips and schedule an appointment in Handshake if you'd like to discuss your unique situation with an advisor.

  • Mock Interviews

    Gain interviewing experience before your first (or next) interview with an employer! Schedule a mock interview with one of our advisors, where you'll practice answering a variety of questions and we'll offer individualized feedback and coaching. Select our office and "Mock Interview" in the appointments section of Handshake. 

    You can also gain practice with alumni and employer volunteers throughout the year. You'll find both interview skill-building workshops and individual mock interviews in the Events section of Handshake. Just search by keyword "Interview".  You can also practice your answer to the "Tell me about yourself" question in the Elevator Pitch module within VMock. VMock will give you immediate AI generated feedback! Practice as many questions as you wuld like by recording yourself on zoom - it's a great way to make yourself practice your answers out loud.

  • Common Questions

    While every interview is unique, there are a number of interview questions that are asked frequently asked. Even if you do not encounter these in each interview, we encourage you to anticipate them and be prepared.

    • Tell me about yourself.
    • What do you know about our company/this role? Why are you interested in us/this position?
    • Why/how did you choose UVA? Your major?
    • Share 3 strengths and 1 weakness.
    • What are your short and long term goals?
    • Why should we hire you?
    • What questions do you have for us?

     

    Be prepared to share examples of times you demonstrated initiative, teamwork, leadership, and problem solving skills. And, have an example of a time something didn't go according to plan, as many employers want to understand how you troubleshoot, bounce back, respond to constructive feedback, and tackle challenges.

    More Common Questions

    Behavioral Interview Questions by Skill

    Strategies for answering common questions

    How to answer 30+ common interview questions

    30 common questions based on skill set

    4 common questions with sample responses

    And, don't forget that an interview is a conversation. Almost all employers will ask if you have any questions for them at the end of the interview. Find your favorites from this list of 8 or this more extensive (50+) list, and bring them with you to the interview.

  • Apply Now
  • Visit Grounds
  • Give to Engineering
Jump to Header
University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science | Homepage
  • Find Faculty
  • News
  • Events
  • Jobs@UVA
  • Directory
  • virginia.edu
  • Thornton Hall, 351 McCormick Road,
  • Charlottesville, VA 22904
  • Phone: 434-924-3072
  • Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Non-discrimination Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Like Us on Facebook
  • Follow Us on Twitter
  • Follow Us on Instagram
  • Follow Us on LinkedIn
  • Subscribe to our channel on YouTube

© 2022 University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science