University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Grainger College of Engineering
Engineering Career Services

Mock Interview

Mock Interview

Schedule an Appointment for a Mock Interview

The best way to prepare is to participate in a mock interview. Think of it as a practice run. These are held in person and will help you get comfortable in this type of situation. ECS advisors are here to help you practice interviews.

Make an Appointment for Mock Interview

Big Interview

Does your schedule not match our office hours?  Big Interview allows you to practice anywhere, anytime.  In person, over the phone, or via skype, this is a great tool to get you ready for your interview, no matter the medium.

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Interview Questions

We've compiled some of the most common interview questions to help you prepare. You can expect to answer these questions in most of the interview situations.

  • Tell me about yourself
  • Why should I hire you?
  • Are you a team player?
  • What is your greatest strength and weakness?
  • Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How was it resolved?
  • Read about tips and sample answers

 A popular interview technique employers use to assess job candidates based on their past behavior
 
  • Tell me about a time when…
  • Give me an example of...
  • Describe a situation when… 

Use STAR method to describe your experiences

  • Situation: Set the scene by introducing the situation, challenge, or project you faced
  • Task: Tell your specific role and explain your responsibilities in the situation
  • Action: Tell specifically, step by step, what you did to overcome the challenge, and why you did it
  • Results: Share the results of your efforts, also including what you learned and how the experience helped you grow

Read more about examples of behavioral question answers.

Usually at the end of an interview, it is very likely that the last question you will get is "Do you have any questions for me"? Here are several ideas for you to think about questions for interviewers:

  • Ask about the kinds of projects you might work on
  • Ask your interviewer about their experience with the organization
  • Ask about the team structure, culture and environment
  • Ask about the overall interview process and timelines

Check out Big interview's Question Library for more ideas. Log in needed for access.

Having Questions about Any of the Steps?

Make an Appointment with ECS to Discuss Your Steps