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An interview is a formal meeting between an employer and a potential employee. A job interview serves two purposes — it lets a company assess an applicant's suitability for employment and it allows the applicant to assess the company’s suitability as a potential employer.

Generally, an interviewer’s questions will focus on learning about the applicant’s:

• Technical knowledge related to the job
• Past experience
• Soft skills, such as teamwork, conflict resolution, and communication
• Career goals
• Work style and personal attributes
• Knowledge of the industry/company
• Logistical details, such as possible start date and pre-planned holidays

Preparing for the Interview

Preparing for an interview is crucial to your success. The key to being prepared is researching the following three areas.

Booking Interview Space

For interviews scheduled through an on-campus room has automatically been booked for you in the Co-op Office.

Should an employer contact you directly to arrange an interview, please notify the co-op staff member assigned to that company so that we are aware.

If you require a quiet space on campus for your interview, please submit your booking request as soon as possible via the .

IMPORTANT: Walk-ins are discouraged. Interview space and equipment availability are limited and will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. While we strive to meet the interview needs of all engineering co-op students, we are unable to guarantee access. Students are advised to submit a booking request early to avoid disappointment.

Interview Support

If you would like to request interview support or a mock interview, please visit the Virtual Office or book an appointment. Appointments can be booked through : go to Appointments and select "Interview Prep Appointment" to schedule a meeting with an available co-op team member.

Rescheduling an Interview

Exam conflict

If you need to reschedule an interview due to an exam, you must notify the co-op office immediately with the conflicting exam date and time. We will help you to reschedule your interview.

Illness

If you are unwell and scheduled for an interview, please contact the assigned Employer Relationship Manager listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Where possible, an accommodation might be arranged for your interview. You may also email coopschd@ualberta.ca to connect with the Co-op Office.

Declining an interview or offer

Students are expected to attend all interviews to which they are invited. If you have a compelling reason not to attend an interview, please contact the Employer Relationship Manager (ERM) listed as the Co-op Contact on the bottom of the job posting. This may be considered declining the interview. Should you decline more than one interview or job offer, you will be required to resequence if you do not find a suitable placement for the term. This may mean extending your degree beyond your anticipated completion date.

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During the interview

Interviews are conducted in-person on campus, via an employer's preferred virtual platform, or by phone.

Please ensure that you have a computer with a web camera and microphone, and that everything is in working order for virtual interviews.

Whether the interview is in person, in the co-op offices, or virtual, try to arrive at least 10 minutes early to give yourself time to relax and feel comfortable.

At the start of the interview, greet interviewers with confidence: smile and make eye contact. Repeat their names during the introduction to help remember them later on in the interview. Throughout, maintain the right level of eye contact and keep your body language open and positive.

During the conversation allow the interviewers to take the lead and do not interrupt. Listen carefully, pause, and answer clearly and concisely using relevant examples. If you are unsure about a question, you can ask for clarification or a minute to think about it. You can also ask to return to a question later in the interview if you need more time. Whenever possible, link your skills, knowledge, and experience to the role and responsibilities of the job you are interviewing for.

When the interview is over, thank the interviewer(s) for their time. If the interviewer(s) did not discuss a next-steps timeline, inquire as to when you may hear back from them.

Types of interview questions

There are four main types of questions you will encounter during an interview. These include autobiographical, behavioral, hypothetical, and technical/occupational questions, although some interviews may include other types which are less common. Here are some examples and strategies for each type of question.

Autobiographical

• Typically focus on your education, prior work experience, and why you applied to the job.
• The quintessential version of this question is “Tell me about yourself?”
• Try to tailor your answer to the job posting by including relevant experience and education.

Behavioural

• These questions tend to focus on specific situations that highlight your knowledge or skills. They are built on the notion that past behaviours predict future actions.
• Examples include: “Tell me about a time when you faced a challenge at work and how did you handle it?” or “Describe a situation when you experienced conflict working in a team.”
• Typically, these types of questions are best handled using the STARS method:
  • S – Situation: Describe the situation to ensure the interviewer has enough context to understand what is going on. This could include your task, the role you played, and other relevant details.
  • T – Task: Talk about the problem, task, or challenge you took responsibility for, and the desired outcome.
  • A – Action: Describe the actions you took to complete the task or handle the challenge that came up. Highlight relevant skills that you used in the situation.
  • R – Results: Explain the outcome of the situation. Highlight any positive outcomes, and if the outcome was negative, try to reflect what you learned from it.
  • S – Self-Reflection: Reflect on what you learned in this situation. Would you handle it differently in the future? What went well and what did not? Outline your potential for growth and your self-awareness.

Hypothetical

These questions are similar to behavioral questions however they tend to focus on situations that may occur in the job you are applying for.

• Examples include: “What would you do if a client had a major issue with your design?” or “Let’s pretend you made a mistake in your work, how would you handle this situation?”
• The STARS method outlined above can be used to answer these questions if you have a specific situation that is relevant. Otherwise, try to answer the question by focusing on what actions you would take and the relevant skills you have.

Technical

• Generally, these questions focus on the more technical aspects of the job. This varies from industry to industry, but usually focuses on skills outlined in the job posting.
• Examples include: “Tell me about your experience with AutoCAD?” or “Describe your understanding of engineering principles and how they relate to this job.”
• The best way to prepare for these questions is to come prepared for the interview by researching the industry and technical aspects of the job beforehand.

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