Before the Interview

You should be able to use your research to tailor your answers to the employer/position, demonstrate your preparedness and passion for the position, and develop strong questions to ask at the end of your interview.

Start by going to the company's website and reading about their products, services, stock performance, company history, organization, successes, current news, social media, Glassdoor, informational interviews, and future direction. Here are some tips on things to look for: company growth, financial information, company objectives/strategy/mission, market share, technology issues, legal & regulatory issues, reputation.

In addition to learning about the employer, you need to be familiar with the tasks and qualifications requested in the position description and what you find exciting. You should do research on your salary expectations and review salary negotiation best practices. Note that ideally, this discussion will not happen until there is an official offer.

  • Identify and write down specific examples of situations from your past work experience, classroom and academic accomplishments, student activities, and leadership that demonstrate your strengths and skills. Examples of teamwork, problem-solving, customer service, planning, taking initiative, communication, managing multiple projects with deadlines, leadership in a group, and ability to work well with diverse personalities and backgrounds are of special interest to employers. Think about how these relate to the job.
  • Know what is on your resume and be ready to discuss it in detail.
  • Identify your short and long range goals along with your reasons for wanting the position. How do those fit together?

Dress for Success Infographic


Are you attending a career fair or interview? Are you starting a new job or attending a conference? Every profession or professional event has differing expectations for appropriate dress. However, dressing in business professional or business casual attire will set you up for success!

Key tips for all attire types:

  • All clothing should be wrinkle-free.
  • Limit the use of perfume or cologne.
  • If you decide to wear a skirt or dress, ensure the length is appropriate and is not too short (knee-length is an excellent rule to keep).
  • Ensure your clothing is not too tight.
  • Worn, dirty, or frayed clothing is unacceptable.

Pro Tip 1: As a University of Arkansas student, you can borrow free professional clothing from ASG’s Boss Hog Outfitters. For more information, visit https://asg.uark.edu/boss-hog-outfitters-2/.

Pro Tip 2: These are not comprehensive lists of attire items to wear or to avoid. If you are unsure of what to wear or what attire to avoid, we encourage you to make an appointment with your career coach.

Industry standards for business professional attire includes suits, dress shoes, and neutral colors and hues. Business professional attire always includes a blazer over your dress, blouse, or button-up shirt. This type of dress is highly suggested for interviews or career fairs.

  • Clothing should reflect a neutral color palette.
  • Suits with matching bottoms should be worn – matching blazer and bottom (skirt or pants). If you opt for a dress, be sure to wear a blazer over it.
  • Dress shoes include flats, heels, and loafers and should be closed toe. If heels are your preferred option, the heel should be no higher than about 3 inches.
  • If you are inclined to wear makeup, keep it neat and simple.
  • Opt for a blouse or button-up shirt.
  • A tie is optional but is typically worn.
  • Wear simple accessories (watches and jewelry).

Business casual attire allows you to add color, variety, and creativity to your professional wardrobe. This type of attire still maintains a professional, polished look, but more formal items, such as ties or matching blazers and bottoms, are not required.

  • Blazers do not have to be the same color as bottoms (skirts or pants).
  • Khaki pants and dress capri pants are all acceptable options.
  • Polo shirts are acceptable, but t-shirts are not.
  • Ties are not necessary but can be worn.
  • Avoid spaghetti straps and narrow-shoulder tops, or dresses if not hidden underneath a blazer or cardigan.
  • More vibrant or bolder accessories can be worn.
  • Flip-flops or tennis shoes
  • Hoodies
  • Crop tops
  • Shorts
  • Athletic or yoga wear
  • Leggings without proper coverage
  • Any clothing that is see through or contains words, terms, or images
  • Heels that are higher than about 3 inches

You can leverage ChatGPT to gain valuable career insights, enhance your career readiness skills, and make informed decisions as you explore career options and prepare career application materials.

Simulate interview scenarios, practice your responses to common questions and receive feedback to improve your answers.

Using prompts is the primary way to interact with ChatGPT. A prompt is a piece of text that you provide ChatGPT to request specific information or start a conversation. Use AI Prompt Tips. Use the following example prompts in the “Send a message” field to gain career insights:

Example Interview Prompts

  • What are typical interview questions asked by employers for this position: [POSITION]
  • What are typical interview questions asked by employers for this position: [POSITION] include questions about [SKILLS]
  • Give me some sample responses to interview questions for [POSITION]
  • Based on my experience in [POSITION], what skills should I highlight in an interview for [NEW COMPANY]. Use my resume as a reference. [RESUME]
  • You're the interviewer for this role: [job description]. Can you come up with 3-5 interview questions based on this job description?
  • I'm interviewing for [job title] at [company/type of company], and this is part of the job description: [section of the job description in question]. What does this responsibility entail? How do I showcase this skill in an interview?
  • I’m interviewing for [job title] and expect to be asked [question you think the hiring manager will ask you]. What’s the best way to answer this question?
  • What are good questions to ask while interviewing for the [POSITION] position?

AI-generated content is intended to be informative and helpful; however, it should not be considered as professional advice or a substitute for consulting with qualified experts in career services. We encourage users to independently verify and cross-reference the information provided by the AI model with other reliable sources before making any decisions or taking any actions based on the content. The AI-generated content should be used as a draft for written documents and a starting point for career research and exploration, but it is essential to exercise critical thinking and judgment when editing, interpreting and applying the information for your own career or job search needs.

Receive in-person assistance in our walk-up Career Studio after taking the first steps with AI.

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