The first big step in conquering an interview is to do the homework before you go to the interview. Research the company. Understand the mission of the company, where they want to go and how you can fit into the culture.

The most frightening parts of an interview are the behavioral questions, but if you understand why recruiters ask them and practice how to respond, students will excel. There are three main types of questions: credential verification, experience, and opinion questions. Credential verification questions ensure the candidate meets the qualifications of the position. For example, one question may be, "Are you capable of effectively using Microsoft Office?" Experience questions focus on learning about a candidate's experiences. Answers can reflect past work experiences or classroom experiences. These two types of questions are fairly straightforward and easy to answer. The toughest questions that students encounter are opinion or behavioral questions. These questions usually start off with "describe a time...." or "tell me about a time when you...." These questions are aimed to provide an example of a past experiences in order to potentially understand your future performance on the job. The key to mastering these questions is to tell a relevant and compelling story with passion. In the story, students should be precise and give examples. Millares stated that when describing a situation, students should use the S.T.A.R. approach: indentify the Situation, Task, Action and Result. Hitting all of these points should help students answer behavioral questions with great confidence and help them conquer the interview.

The last part of the interview is closing the deal. When the interview is over, students should restate why they are the best choice for the job and make sure to thank the interviewer for the opportunity. It is recommended to get the recruiter''s name and contact information so that a thank you letter can be forwarded. It takes practice and a little extra work, but these methods are proven and can help students succeed through interviews!