Behavioral interviews are the most common type of interview. You will be asked questions that relate to your past behavior to help determine your skill level and fit for the organization. Organizations will determine what skill sets are ideal for the position and then ask questions that target those skills. Utilize the STAR Method to be effective in answering these questions.

Sample Interview Questions

• Tell me about a problem you have solved in a unique or creative way.
• Tell me about a difficult decision you had to make.
• Tell me about a goal you set that you did NOT reach.
• Give me an example of a time when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with.
• Give me an example of a time when you showed initiative and took the lead on a project.
• Give me an example of how you manage your time. What factors do you consider?
• Tell me about a time when your opinion was challenged. How did you handle it?

Case interviews are used by consulting firms (and occasionally graduate programs) to evaluate your analytical thinking skills and your poise under pressure. Typically, a case focuses on solving a problem and your goal throughout the interview is to discuss and analyze the problem with the interviewer and provide a recommendation based on quantitative and qualitative reasoning.

The purpose of the interview is not necessarily to get the “right” answer, but to show that you can think critically, remain calm under pressure, and that you understand fundamental concepts.

Sample Interview Questions

• Your nephew runs a lemonade stand. Yesterday was Monday and he was open from 2pm – 5pm, and sold 2 cups. What should he do differently tomorrow?
• Volvo claims it is the safest car in the world because fewer people die in a Volvo than in a car made by any other manufacturer in the world. What’s wrong with this conclusion?
• How many gallons of gasoline does an average gas station in America sell on an average day?

Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) are becoming popular among medical schools and other allied health profession programs (Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, etc.). MMIs consist of several short practical assessments, usually less than 10 minutes each. You’ll be presented with a scenario before each mini interview and you will have a bit of time to prepare an answer. Then you’ll either be asked a question by an interviewer or have to engage in a role-play scenario with an actor.

Here are the key things you need to know about MMIs:

• MMI interviews will probably take about 2 hours
• Each mini interview will usually take no longer than 10 minutes
• Most universities will have around 10 MMI ‘stations’

Sample Interview Questions

• A close friend in one of your university classes tells you that his mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. He feels overwhelmed by his studies and is considering dropping his courses to spend more time with his mother. How do you counsel your friend? (2 minutes to prepare, 8 minutes to answer)
• Joe is a pizza delivery worker. The pizza shop he works for has a “30 minutes or less” delivery guarantee or else the customer does not have to pay. On Joe’s most recent delivery, he spots a woman who appears to be injured. There is no one else around and the woman seems to be unable to move by herself. However, Joe knows that if he returns empty-handed again, he will be fired from this job which he most desperately needs. What do you think Joe should do? Justify your solution in terms of practical and ethical considerations.
• Discuss an experience that allowed you to learn something important about yourself. How will this lesson help you succeed in your career?

Phone interviews are usually the first step in the recruiting process. It is also sometimes called a “phone screen.” These conversations are usually 30 minutes to 1 hour long and consist of generalized interview questions. The interviewer wants to hear more about the experiences on your resume. Prepare for this as you would a normal face-to-face interview.

Virtual interviews are now commonplace with many employers. There are additional dynamics to consider as you prepare for a virtual interview. Read our virtual interviewing guide for tips on lighting, staging, and virtual etiquette.

Sample Interview Questions

• Tell me about yourself.
• What do you consider to be your greatest strength/weakness?
• Why do you want to work for this organization?
• How does this position align with your career goals?
• How do you handle stress?
• How did you decide on your major?
• How did you decide to attend Furman?
• Describe your most significant accomplishment.