Interview Answer Preparation:  

• Organize yourself by writing out the answers to questions you may be asked.by writing out the answers to questions you may be asked. Use our interview question organizer & STAR interview tool to get started! 

• Ensure you possess a deep understanding and memory of all experiences, skills and qualifications listed on your resume. 

• Be able to answer questions like:  
  • Why do you want to work here? 
  • Why are you a good fit? 
  • Tell me about yourself. 
  • What are your strengths/weaknesses? 
  • What are your career goals? 

Prepare Your Stories:  

The most common questions asked in an interview are “behavioral questions.” These ask you to recount an experience. Behavioral questions often start with “tell me about a time” or “give me an example of a time”. It is important to use specific stories to illustrate your points. Important elements of the stories include S.T.A.R. (Situation, Task, Action you took, and Result of those actions). Be sure to be explicit about the results. For example, instead of saying “I got a good grade”, say “I received an “A” on the assignment. 

Use this structure to prepare core stories, which will make things much easier when you interview.  Here are some examples of core stories to prepare:  

• A time you overcame an obstacle to achieving a goal (one as an individual and one as a group). 

• A time you failed at something (one as an individual and one as a group) and learned a lesson that you were able to use in a future situation. 

• A time when you were given feedback by a superior. How did you respond and improve? 

• A time you added value by taking initiative. 

Conduct Research:  

• Research your field through Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Handshake.  

• Know the company:  
  • What is the company’s mission? 
  • What are their services/products?
  • How are they doing financially? 
  • What have they achieved recently that has appeared in the news? 

• Practice interviewing! Record yourself & watch your answers back or do a mock interview with a family member/friend. You can schedule a group appointment for interview preparation. 

• Prepare a list of questions (at least 3). Don’t ask questions that can be answered on their website.  Questions about salary, benefits, time off, hours worked are off-limits.  

• Review the Career Center Director’s discussion on Questions to Ask During Job Interviews.  

• Take each desired quality mentioned in the job description or on their website and develop personal anecdotes that demonstrates that quality. 

Dress To Impress:  

Dress in a way that is comfortable but not overly casual, presenting a polished appearance. View our dressing professionally web page for additional guidance. 

Effective Communication:  

 In addition, communicate clearly, respectfully and confidently – avoid communication that appears like you’re speaking with friends. 

During the interview: 

Interviews are relative to the industry and position that you are applying for. Therefore, the following tips are generalized: 

Expectations: 

•  The interview can range from 15 minutes to 1 hour (or more). 

• There could be a follow-up interview (or interviews), so prepare for multiple.  

• It can be one-on-one; a panel interview or a group interview with other candidates. 

• Many interviews are being done online. See our virtual interviewing page for tips.  

• The interviewer often starts with small talk and brief introductions.  Next, they may discuss the position/company or start directly asking questions.  

Interview Anxiety:  

Remember to complete meditation or breathing exercises beforehand, so you can be on your A-game! View our Battling Interview Anxiety Guide for additional resources & suggestions. 

After the interview: 

A crucial component to an interview is the follow-up. By being proactive, you are showing the employer that you are reliable and that your interview was meaningful. 

What to do after interviewing: 

• Send a thank you letter or e-mail soon after (no later than 48 hours). Your letter should restate your interest in the position, highlight your skills and qualifications, or emphasize something you did not have the chance to mention. 
  Refer to our Thank-You Letter Guide for additional guidance. 
   

In addition, take time to reflect on what you did well on and what you could improve on. Consider the following: 

• Did you have a hard time coming up with a response to a particular question? 

• Did you have a hard time remembering a specific experience you included in your resume? 

• Did you remain engaged throughout the day? 

• Where are you mindful of your body language and non-verbal communication? 

• Is there anything you would like to improve overall? 

Considering these questions will ensure you don’t make these mistakes again and can continuously improve your interviewing ability! 

Remember that AI is a great start, but any documents & career planning should be reviewed by a Career Coach before being used for applications. Also, remember that AI creates a far inferior product to one you could develop through considerable effort and dedication.  

Exploring Careers

Connecting Major/Interests to Careers

Prompt: I am interested in [interests] majoring in [major] what are some potential career options for me?

Learning About a Career or Job

Prompt: What tasks and responsibilities are completed as a [job title]?

Resume Prompts

Developing a Resume Template

Prompt: I am a [Year] (EX: Sophomore) at CUNY Brooklyn College, studying [Major]EX: Computer Science], seeking internships. Can you provide a sample resume that does not falsify any experiences, only includes my name at the top of the resume, and meets these specifications: [copy + paste resume checklist text from Career Document Guide] 

Modifying Existing Resume

• Prompt 1: I will provide my resume text first, then in the second message I will provide a resume checklist that needs to be used to edit my resume. Here is my resume: [paste resume text or upload file]  
• Prompt 2: Here is the checklist: [copy + paste resume checklist text from Career Document Guide] 

Catering Resume to Job Description

• Prompt 1: I will provide my resume text [or upload file] first, then in the second message I will provide a job description that needs to be used to cater my resume by adding keywords. Here is my resume: [paste your full resume text or upload file] 
• Prompt 2: Here is the job description [copy + paste job description text] 

Cover Letter Prompts

Developing a Cover Letter Template

• Prompt 1: I am a [Year] EX: Sophomore] at CUNY Brooklyn College, studying [Major]EX: Computer Science], seeking internships. Create a one-page cover letter template based on my resume and a cover letter checklist, which I will send in separate messages. Here is the resume: [copy + paste resume text or upload file]  
• Prompt 2: Here is the checklist: [paste cover letter checklist text from Career Document Guide] 

Improving Existing Cover Letter

• Prompt 1: I will provide my cover letter text first, then in the second message I will provide a resume checklist that needs to be used to edit my provided cover letter text. Here is my resume: [paste your cover letter text]  
• Prompt 2: Here is the checklist: [paste cover letter checklist text from Career Document Guide] 

Also, check out: Ben Broch’s Cover Letter Copilot: which creates cover letters based on job description & resume.

Informational Interviewing Prompts

Prompt: I am interested in [interests] majoring in [major] what are some topics I can discuss with industry professionals. I’m not sure where to even start.

Job + Internship Search Prompts

Finding Job/Internship Search Platforms

Prompt: I am a [Year] [EX: Sophomore] at CUNY Brooklyn College, studying [Major] [EX: Computer Science]. Can you find me 10 (*or remove number*) internship & job application platforms that I can use?  

Finding Potential Job/Internships Titles

Prompt: I am going to first provide my resume text, then I’d like you to provide me with a list of 20 internship/job titles I should target based on my experiences. Here is the resume text: [paste your resume text or upload file] 

Finding Professional Associations

Prompt: I am a [Year] [EX: Sophomore] at CUNY Brooklyn College, studying [Major] [EX: Computer Science]. I am going to first provide my resume text, then I’d like you to provide me with a list of 20 professional association organizations I should target based on my experiences. Here is the resume text: [paste your resume text or upload file]

Finding Companies to Apply to

Prompt: I’m looking for entry-level positions as a [career title]. Share companies in [location/region/city/country] that hire for this role?

I am interested in working as a [career title] for [company name]. What are five other companies that hire for similar positions?

Interview Preparation Prompts

Interview Questions

Prompt: I am going to first provide my resume text, then a job description. After receiving both, please create sample interview questions I may be asked. Here is the resume text: [paste your resume text or upload file] and here is the job description [paste the job description or upload file]

Prompt: I am interviewing for a position as a [career title]. Give me a list of the most common questions asked in an interview for this position.

Elevator Pitch

Prompt: I am going to first provide my resume text, then create an elevator pitch I can be used for employers in [industry]

Additional Resources:

• Use ChatGPT’s voice chat feature in the phone app to interview in real-time. You can also ask for advice on how to respond to challenging questions
• Check out: Adzuna: a comprehensive interview preparation tool & question generator through AI

LinkedIn Optimization Prompts

Drafting LinkedIn About Section

Prompt: I will provide my resume text (or my entire LinkedIn profile). Create a sample LinkedIn about section, of at most 100 words. Here is the resume text: [paste your resume or upload file or LinkedIn profile text]

Highlighting In-Demand Certifications

• Prompt 1: I will first provide my resume text, then next send a job description. After I send both entries, then create a list of certifications on LinkedIn Learning that I should pursue to make myself a more competitive applicant. Here is my resume: [paste your resume text or upload file]
• Prompt 2: Here is the job description from [insert company name]: [paste job description]

Magner Career Center Workshop About Using AI in the Job Search

Advertise yourself like you are your own brand. Build credibility by establishing yourself and what you are currently doing first:

Elevator Pitch Structure:

• “I am a Brooklyn College Student studying _______. My GPA is ________.”
  • A great GPA makes an excellent impression of yourself as a Student. However, you can skip the GPA part if you feel you should (if it is low or otherwise not necessary to mention).
• “I expect to graduate in: ________.”
• Depending on your situation, you could include information about what you are doing at the moment, or if you are in between opportunities:
  • “Currently I am”/Recently I have been:
    • List your current position and employer, or most recent position and employer
    • “exploring opportunities for an internship/summer position/job as a _______.”

• You can name skills you have developed from your experience, and you can name a highlight or impressive project that you have most recently completed.

When delivering your pitch, avoid naming weaknesses and using negative language. Your objective is to impress the person you are connecting with. Stick to your highlights and memorize them so you can speak fluidly and concisely.

Here is a sample elevator pitch:

“My name is John Doe. I am a Senior English Major in the School of Humanities in Brooklyn College. I expect to graduate this Spring. Currently, I am finishing an internship with ABC Publishing Company, where I helped develop an equitable system to help younger authors reach wider audiences for their work. I am hoping to find a permanent position where I can use my skills in English academia and my repertoire for innovation to help create a broader population in the publishing industry.”

John Jay College’s Institute for Justice and Opportunity have prepared a resource to educate students on how background checks work and what to anticipate in their guidebook Getting the Record Straight: A Guide to Navigating Background Checks.

• Enhance your GPA with work experiences and extracurricular activities.
• Be able to explain why it is low.
• Use your major GPA if it is higher than your cumulative GPA, or provide both if asked for a GPA.
• Highlight any academic awards or achievements.
• Retake courses you had trouble with, take future classes pass/fail, or change your grade to pass/fail. The Brooklyn College Bulletin has information on how and when it can be done.
• Prioritize in-person connection, building relationships at career fairs, participating in professional organizations, and more.

• Remember: Workplace attire and campus fashion are often different, dress to align with the professional environment you’re entering.

If you’re in need of professional attire, check out: Bottomless Closet & Dress for Success.

Professional Appearance: Making a Strong First Impression

Your appearance in the workplace or for an interview is an important part of making a positive first impression. It conveys respect for the occasion and demonstrates your understanding of professional norms. Follow this guide to presenting yourself effectively:

General Presentation & Grooming:

Keep your look simple until you become accustomed to the environment and learn about the company’s dress code, especially at the interview stage. While your personal style is important, a job interview or the workplace is not the ideal place to showcase it.  A professional, formal look aligns with the standards of most workplaces and demonstrates your respect for the opportunity.

• Cleanliness & Tidiness: Ensure your clothes are clean, wrinkle-free, and well-maintained. Your overall appearance should be neat and tidy, including well-groomed hair and nails.
• Scent: Opt for a light or no fragrance. Avoid strong perfumes, colognes, or body sprays, as these can be distracting or cause discomfort for others.
• Tattoos: Ensure tattoos maintain a neutral and professional appearance. Cover up any that don’t meet these criteria, if possible.

Your Attire:

• Professional Attire: Choose business casual attire. This typically includes items like button-down shirts, blouses, slacks, professional dresses, or skirts.
• Avoid Overly Casual: Stay away from very casual clothing such as t-shirts, sweatpants, or activewear.
• Clothing Coverage: If wearing a skirt or dress, ensure the length is professional, generally falling to or just below the knee. Avoid tank tops, see through or low cut shirts as well.

Footwear:

• Professional Shoes: Opt for clean, polished dress shoes in black or brown, such as loafers, dress shoes, or professional flats. Some companies may allow simple sneakers.
• Avoid: Flip-flops and sandals.

Accessories & Makeup:

• Jewelry: Keep jewelry non-distracting. Simple earrings, a watch, or a necklace are generally appropriate.
• Makeup & Nail Polish: If you choose to wear makeup or nail polish, keep it subtle and neutral.

Traditional: What would you do? These questions may pose possible scenarios and test situations you could encounter for the position you are interviewing for.
For example: “If you could do anything…”, “How do you manage your time?”

And Behavioral: What did you do? These questions may particularly reflect off of your resume and prior experiences. For example, “tell me about a time when…” or “describe a situation when…”.  You can find some more common behavioral questions at the bottom of this page.

Also, check out these additional tools:

• Interview Organizer to help answer “tell me about yourself,” “why are you interested in this field,” “what questions do you have for us,” and “strengths and weaknesses.”
• STAR Interview Tool to help you organize your interview stories (Behavioral Tool). STAR is a technique to help you answer behavioral based questions. When answering behavioral questions, use the STAR method (situation, task, action and result). Your response should describe the Situation, Task, Action you personally took and the Result of your actions. 

How should I answer the questions?

• Be as thorough as possible when answering your questions.
• Make sure you understand the question before you answer it. Take a second to think about the question before you answer.  If you’re not certain, it is ok to ask them to repeat/clarify once or twice.
• Provide specific examples. If applicable, mention results and accomplishments. If necessary, bring up a moment where you learned from a past experience.  
• Speak calmly, speak clearly, and do not be too long-winded. Keep your answers straight to the point.
• Pay attention to the interviewer:  They will often give you cues about whether they are engaged in what they are saying or whether you are dominating the conversation.
• Be aware of your tone and the volume of your voice.

Make sure to review our page on how to prepare for the interview.

Sample Behavioral Questions

Downloadable version: https://students.brooklyn.edu/files/2022/12/100-Behavioral-Interview-Questions.pdf

Be sure to review our interviewing prep article.

Tips to ace a virtual interview:

• Be in a quiet spot with secure internet. Though this may not always be possible at home, here are some recommended spots:
  > The Brooklyn College Library (or any public library)
  > The Magner Center’s Conference or Resource Room [Students must call ahead at: 718.951.5696 to inquire about availability or capacity]

• Choose a neutral background. You may use virtual backgrounds, but ensure they are not distracting. If you have no choice and have a busy background, please blur your screen.

• Keep your camera on. Not only will it show your interviewer that you are engaged, but it will also make you more memorable. Eye contact is key.

• Stay engaged! Recruiters want to see candidates who pay attention and are genuine in their responses. Show you are interested!

• Communicate/ address connection issues. If you or your interviewer has poor connection and it is impacting your interview communicate/address it immediately. You don’t want Wi-Fi trouble to be the reason you are turned down. You may reschedule if necessary.

• Put your phone away. If you want to take notes, inform your interviewer of your intention so they do not assume you are distracted.

Interview Anxiety is a response to fear and it manifests itself in a number of ways.  Physically it may result in blushing, stuttering, or difficulty speaking. Mentally, judgment, memory may be impaired. 

The Facts about Interview Anxiety

It is reassuring to realize what scares you. Consider the following:

• Interview stress is normal. 
• Interview stress affects most people, even experienced interviewees.
• The more techniques you have to beat interview stress, the better you will perform.
• Beating interview stress is not about being perfect or about being free of fear. It is about adjusting and managing your anxiety and using it to fuel your performance.

Conquering Interview Anxiety

HOW TO PREPARE

Preparation will make you feel more confident and less anxious. 

• Make sure that you allot enough time so as not to feel rushed.
• Have professional copies of important documents (Ex. resume, transcript)
• Make sure your attire is clean and prepared.
• Be well-groomed and well-rested.
• Avoid smoking, drinking, eating odorous food, etc. before the interview.
• Practice by participating in mock interviews with a counselor.

Make sure to watch our video on Interviewing with Low Confidence here:

Additional Tips

• Be ready and prepared to answer questions from the interviewer/s
• Be confident in your skills and abilities.
• Know the name/s of the person/s and their position/s interviewing you.
• Demonstrate your interest in the role.
• Remember: the interviewer is another person, as are you. 

Practice Relaxation Techniques

• Meditation – if you meditate, you give your attention to one thing, and do not think about anything else as way of calming or relaxing your mind.
• Breathing Exercises – a few nice deep breaths can be so relaxing.  It can be a quick and easy stress reliever. You can do this anytime and anywhere.  It is not visible to others.
• Physical Exercises – any form of physical exercise can be a great way to reduce stress. 
• Yoga – yoga postures balance the different systems of the body.  By slowing down the mental activity, and by gently stretching the body and massaging the internal organs yoga creates a climate of dynamic peacefulness within.
• Visualization – many people find it relaxing to visualize a peaceful place, whether real or imagined.
• Positive/Confident Thinking – you many find it useful to counter negative thoughts with positive affirmations.  You can use affirmations to build confidence and change negative behavior patterns into positive ones.

Seven Keys to Overcoming Anxiety

1. Educate yourself.
2. Address roadblocks.
3. Set gradual, progressive goals.
4. Train your body and mind to respond to stress differently.
5. Make wellness a way of life.
6. Personalize your solution.
7. Celebrate your success.

• Helps build a relationship with the interviewer
• Helps to project a positive image of yourself
• Keeps your name in front of the interviewer
• Demonstrates you are truly interested in the job
• Shows that you are a follow-through type person
• Allows you to reinforce your key strengths
• Provides a second chance for you to mention important points you might have forgotten to mention during the interview

Tips

• Keep your letter short and simple – two paragraphs is enough.
• Be certain to cater it to the person/organization.
• Help the person remember you by referring to specific points discussed.  It shows that you were listening and will refresh their memory.
• Be sure your letter is professional, for example: typed, no grammar or spelling errors, etc.
• Remember, very few people bother to send thank you letters – this can be your edge!
• Make sure several people proofread the note before sending it.
• Emphasize your qualifications, especially those that are most relevant to the position.
• Provide any information that was overlooked during the interview or that which was specifically requested by the interviewer.
• Express your continued interest and your enthusiasm for the position.

When to send thank you letters:

A thank-you letter should be sent in a timely manner. Sending out a letter within 24-48 hours is best, but no later than a week after the interview.

Dos & Don’ts

Do:	Don‘t:
Be proactive and follow-up	Overuse “I”
Obtain and include the title and name of the interviewer	Use a weak opening
Show desire for the position	Forget to mention top qualities
Proofread your thank you letter	Emphasize negative qualities
Sign the thank you letter	Repeat resume word-for-word
Be patient	Make typos

Sample Thank-You Letter

Writing a thoughtful thank-you letter can increase your chances of getting hired dramatically. Below is an example:

This sample letter is only intended to be used as an example. Misuse, such as plagiarism, is a violation of the Student Terms and Conditions of Usage.