Like any skill, interviewing is something that can be improved with practice. Check out the resources we’ve put together to help you ace your next interview.

Programs

Student looks at suit in clothing closet

Clothing Closet

Dressing appropriately for an interview, career fair, or networking event is key to boosting your confidence and helping you make a great first impression.

InterviewsFirst-Generation and/or Low-Income StudentsInternational Students

Interview Room Request

We understand finding a quiet space on campus for a phone or video interview can be challenging. CCE is here to help!

Interviews
Meeting your interviewer

On-Campus Recruiting

On-Campus Recruiting (OCR) provides employers with the opportunity to host information sessions, attend career fairs, industry showcases, and conduct interviews on campus.

InternshipsInterviewsJobs
Interview

Practice Interview Program

Interviewing is a skill. Like all skills, it takes practice. Mock interviews are a great way to gain experience, practice interview skills, receive feedback, and improve performance.

Interviews

Resources

Things to do Before, During, and After Your Interview

An employer will invite you for an interview if they believe that you have the skills to succeed at their company. We’ve compiled our suggestions on how to prepare for the interview and demonstrate that you are the best candidate for the position.

AlumniInterviews
Casual business giving a presentation to coworkers

Prepare for a Software or Technical Interview

Planning to interview for a software or technical position? Refer to these tips and resources to help you prepare!

AlumniInterviews

Understanding the Recruiting Process

Every organization has their own recruiting process and timeline. While finding out this information may seem daunting, doing a bit of targeted research will go a long way.

AlumniInterviewsJobs

What to Know Before You Go: Researching Organizations

Researching organizations in advance of a networking event or interview will help you stand out as a candidate.

Career ExplorationInterviewsNetworking
Man taking video call on laptop

How to Prepare for Virtual and Phone Interviews

Virtual, phone, or pre-recorded interviews have advantages and disadvantages compared with in-person interviews. All of these types of interviews require additional preparation to ensure you will...

AlumniRemote WorkInterviews
Interviewer and interviewee shake hands across the interview table

Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Preparation is the key to interview success. We’ve included examples of the most common interview questions and how to answer them

AlumniInterviews
Talking to New Employees

Prepare for the Interview: Sample Questions

Interviewing is a key part of the job search, and you never know what questions will come up. We’ve put together a list of sample questions you might encounter, so you can better prepare for them.

AlumniInterviews
Two professionals talk collaboratively

Great Questions to Ask During an Interview

At the end of any interview, you will be given the opportunity to ask questions. Here are some key questions to ask at the end of an interview.

AlumniInterviews
Student greeting interviewing in CRC

Interview with Confidence

Preparing in advance always makes for a good interview. This page will help you to answer different types of common interview questions with confidence.

AlumniInterviews
Young man shakes hands with his potential new boss

You Got a Second Interview! Now What?

Congratulations—you made it through your first-round interview! It’s likely that the first round interview was conducted by phone or virtually—now they want to meet you in person.

AlumniInterviews
Man taking notes at his laptop

Interview Prep for the Experienced Candidate

As an experienced job candidate, it’s important to comfortably and fluently describe how your experience, accomplishments, and career goals match the expectation and needs of the employer. Here are key steps to help you brush up on your interviewing skills.

AlumniCareer AdvancementInterviews

Should I Send a Thank You Note?

A thank you note is polite and professional. It brings you to mind again. People who have helped you will be inclined to do so again if you are grateful and courteous.

Interviews

Thank You Letter Basics

Employers and other people who have helped you in the job search process deserve (and expect) a thank you note. Politeness is valued!

Interviews

Getting a Great Reference or Letter of Recommendation

During an application process for jobs, internships or graduate school, you may be asked for references or letters of recommendations. What exactly is a reference? Who should you ask? How do you ask? Here are some insights into securing yourself a strong reference or letter of recommendation.

InterviewsJobs

Preparing for an Engineering Interview

These sample questions and employer tips can help you prepare for an engineering interview.

Engineering & TechnologyInterviews
Interviewee receiving questions on whiteboard

Sample Technical Interview Questions

Have a technical interview and don’t know where to start? We’ve put together a list of sample questions you might be asked from a variety of different engineering disciplines.

Interviews

Preparing for a Case Interview

A case interview is the analysis of a business question. Unlike most other interview questions, it is an interactive process. Your interviewer will present you with a business problem and ask for your opinion. Your job is to ask the interviewer logical questions that enable you to make detailed recommendations.

Interviews

8 Ways to Talk about Your International Experience in an Interview

It is not always easy to talk about your international experience during an interview. Learn more about 8 ways to communicate your experience to employers.

CCE Internship ProgramsInternshipsInterviews
Interview

Participating in On-Campus Interviewing

On-Campus Interviews typically consists of employers who come to campus to conduct interviews with selected students.

InternshipsInterviewsJobs

Illegal Questions, and How to Respond

You may find an employer asking you an illegal question in an interview. These questions may ask you to reveal...

Students with DisabilitiesLGBTQ StudentsStudents of ColorWomenInterviews
We'll show you where to start.

Your Professional Image: Put Your Best Foot Forward

Learn more about creating and maintaining your professional image.

InterviewsNetworking

Discrimination and Harassment in the Job Search and at Work

Columbia University prohibits any form of discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, pregnancy, religion, creed, marital status, partnership status, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, military status, or any other legally protected status.

Students with DisabilitiesLGBTQ StudentsStudents of ColorWomenInterviewsJobsWorkplace

In the Know

Female recruiter shakes the hand of a Columbia female student at a career fair.
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Multi-Industry Recruiting Timelines (Spring & Summer 2023)

Whether you’re looking for an internship for Summer 2023 or planning ahead, it is important to be aware of what recruiting timelines look like across industries. Explore the drop-downs by industry...Read more
Career AdvancementInternshipsInterviewsJobsEngineering & TechnologyFinancial Services
Thursday, September 23, 2021

Prep for Consulting Interviews with These Student-Sourced Tips and Resources

Preparing for consulting interviews? Your peers are here to help! For an update to our consulting interview tips, we reached out to some experts—students who have successfully gone through the process.Read more
InterviewsConsulting
Big Interview logo
Monday, April 13, 2020

Our Career Counselors' Favorite Features on Big Interview

Ever wonder how you look and sound during an interview? Or have you received a company interview invitation via HireVue or some other video platform and wondered how to prepare? Check out some of our career counselors’ favorite features on Big Interview , a free online practice interview platform.Read more
Remote WorkInterviewsNetworking
Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Employers Tell All: How to Ace On-Campus Interviews

Interested in participating in On-Campus Interviews? Great news! We wanted to share best practices and employer feedback for putting your best foot forward.Read more
InternshipsInterviewsJobs
Thursday, December 6, 2018

Online Interview Practice Tool, Big Interview, Now Available to Students

We are excited to offer you Big Interview, an online interview practice platform that will help you prepare for interviews and gain confidence in your skills. We are launching our inaugural year of service with the interview prep system this December.Read more
Interviews
Monday, November 26, 2018

Your Persuasion-Ready Pitch: Applying Your Understanding of the Employer in Applications, Networking, and Interviews

Our top five tips for crafting your persuasion-ready pitch will help you apply your understanding of persuasion to applications, networking pitches, and interviews.Read more
Career AdvancementCover LettersInterviewsNetworkingResumes & CVs
Thursday, November 15, 2018

Your Persuasion-Ready Pitch: How Rhetoric Can Help You Craft Your Appeal to Employers

Writing or speaking to your audience is the key to crafting persuasive application materials and sharing your story effectively in interviews and networking interactions. In this second installment of Humanities Skills for the Job Search, we’re talking about how to use your understanding of audience to begin crafting a persuasive pitch.Read more
Career AdvancementInterviewsNetworkingResumes & CVs
Thursday, November 1, 2018

Asking for a Friend: I went through on-campus interviewing and did not get a job. What do I do now?

Dear, CCE, I went through on-campus interviewing and did not get a job. What do I do now? Dear Student, Don’t panic! On-campus interviewing is simply one way to get a job. The vast majority of...Read more
Interviews
Thursday, September 27, 2018

Overheard at Practice Interview Night: Pros explain how to ace your Software/Tech Interview

This September we hosted our Software/Tech Practice Interview Night to help future software engineers prepare to ace their interviews. We hosted over twenty students for a whiteboarding session with professionals working in the industry. Students were able to hear feedback on their approach and execution, and gain a real sense of what a technical interview looks and feels like.Read more
InterviewsEngineering & Technology
Student with Clothing Closet Suit
Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Dress for Success with CCE's Clothing Closet!

Dress for success with CCE’s Clothing Closet Service !Read more
InterviewsNetworking
Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Asking for a Friend: How should I talk about my summer experience to future employers?

Dear CCE, Q: I’m about to finish my summer internship and I’m having a hard time figuring out what new skills I’ve gained or what I’ve learned this summer. How can I...Read more
Career AdvancementInterviewsNetworking