Interviewing is a crucial part of the job or internship search. The good news is that by the time you get to an interview, the employer has already decided you meet the minimum qualifications for the position and wants to learn more about you. As an A&S student at CU, you’ve gained many valuable skills in and out of the classroom to showcase!

An interview allows you and the employer to evaluate whether you’d be a good fit for the position and company culture. It is your chance to highlight your experiences, personality and potential. Here are some tips to help you prepare for an interview and feel confident, whether your interview is in person or virtual.

Research the company and position

Employers want to know that potential employees have taken the time to get to know their company and the position. They may even ask specific questions about the company or position to ensure you’ve done your research. You are well prepared to do a research deep dive from the many and varied class projects and assignments you've done over the years.  Here are a few ways you can prepare before the interview.

• Research the company’s size, location, organizational chart, product lines, history, top clients and competitors. Use Handshake, , the company’s website and social media channels, search engines and business articles to help you do thorough research. Use Coco, the AI tool within Handshake, to ask questions about the job.
• Visit employers at career fairs and networking events to gain an extra edge and insight into the organization.
• Be familiar with the job description and consider how your skills and experience can benefit the company.
• If you have the names of the people interviewing you, look them up on the company’s website and LinkedIn. This will help you to become familiar with their job functions and experience.

Practice interviewing

Knowing the exact questions you will be asked is impossible, but you can develop responses to commonly asked interview questions. Incorporating real experiences and previous work into your answers is also great for demonstrating your strengths. For example, rather than saying you are very organized, share how you helped your student group organize an event and the positive results. To do this, try explaining your responses using the STAR method:

• Situation: Provide a specific and concise overview, including the timeframe and place.
• Task: Explain the task or goal you worked on and how it relates to the skill they asked about.
• Action: Describe your actions and the steps you took.
• Result: Describe the outcome, if possible. This is your time to take credit for your work or show what you learned.

You can also use Quinncia, offered by Career Services, to practice interviewing. Quinncia lets you do practice interviews and provides short tips and feedback as you go. You will receive a more detailed interview analysis after you finish. To get started, you need to upload your resume.

You will get specific tips related to the content of your interview, the pace of your speech, your eye contact with the computer and more. You can apply what you learn by doing additional mock interviews with Quinncia.

Be prepared to ask questions

An interview is a two-way street. Just as they are asking questions to learn about you, you should ask questions to ensure this is the right job for you. If you don’t come prepared with questions, the interviewer might assume you haven’t done your research.

• You can ask about the day-to-day responsibilities of the job, the company culture or important qualities needed to excel in the position. Use your research to develop detailed questions.
• You can also leverage generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, for questions to ask based on a job description and company.
• Write a few questions down to take with you to the interview. Being prepared shows you are invested in the position and curious about how to be the best fit.

Get organized

Set yourself up for success and make a positive impression by having everything ready before your interview start time.

If you have a virtual interview:

• Become familiar with the platform used for the interview (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.) to avoid technical issues.
• Test your camera and microphone.
• Find a quiet location where you won’t be interrupted.
• Make sure nothing is distracting in your background.
• Use good lighting.

If the interview is in person:

• Plan to arrive early, about 10 to 15 minutes before the interview’s scheduled start time. Leave time to navigate traffic delays or parking challenges.
• Ensure you know how to find the specific interview location and the name of your contact person.
• Bring any necessary additional materials, including your list of questions, paper, a pen, copies of your resume, transcripts, references and work samples.

Make a plan for what to wear

Different employers have different expectations for interview attire. Make sure your clothes reflect your identity and align with the job you’re seeking. Plus, how you dress can boost your confidence and help you get in the right frame of mind for the interview.

• If you aren’t sure how professionals dress in the field, consider asking people in your network.
• You can also look at photos on the organization’s website to see how employees dress.
• Even with a virtual interview, it’s best to dress confidently from head to toe. You never know if you’ll need to stand up during your conversation.

Follow up after the interview

The interview doesn’t stop when you leave. Write a thank you email to your hiring committee. Use your resources to write a thoughtful note. You’ve had plenty of practice with impactful writing from your A&S classes so draw from that!

• If you have each person’s name and contact information, address an individual thank you note to each hiring member.
• If not, you can email the person who arranged the interview. Reinforce your excitement for the position, that you are a good fit and that they can reach out with any additional questions.
• You can also use AI tools, like ChatGPT or Gemini, to craft an email. However, don’t rely solely on the results. A thank you letter should be sincere. Make edits and only take from AI what you need to create a solid and authentic thank you note.

Resources for interviewing

For more tips to help you with your job or internship search as an A&S student, check out programs and workshops from Career Services or schedule an appointment to meet with a peer career advisor. 

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CU Boulder employs thousands of students each semester. These on-campus jobs cover a wide range of functions, allowing students to find their perfect fit. As an A&S student employee, you can learn new skills, gain experience, build your network and earn money in a flexible, student-focused role.

For some A&S students, working on campus may be your first job. You can enhance your experience by learning how to contribute in a positive way that benefits both you and your team. Here are a few tips to make the most of your student job.

Ask questions and clarify expectations

Your supervisor should set the expectations and responsibilities for your position when you begin a new job. These expectations may include work hours, uniform or dress code, due dates for assignments, details about completing your job responsibilities and other topics to help you succeed at work.

Miscommunication can happen when people make assumptions. For example, you may assume it’s OK to arrive a few minutes late if your class runs over, but your supervisor may need you to arrive at the exact shift start time to have the necessary coverage. It’s best to ask questions to clarify expectations. It can sound like this: “Sometimes my last class before my shift runs late. If that happens, can I arrive at work a few minutes late, or should I change my shift to a different time?”

Communicate changes

You can develop the foundational skill of communication at your on-campus job, which can be useful now and in your future career. Communicating effectively with your supervisor will help them support you as you balance a part-time job and student responsibilities.

If you need to adjust your schedule, communicate these changes to your supervisor as soon as possible. When you start your job, ask your supervisor how they would like you to communicate changes—some may prefer a phone call, others prefer an email, etc. Learning the best method for timely communication will help you prepare for emergencies and avoid frustration with your work attendance and scheduling.

Practice time awareness

You can demonstrate time awareness by showing up to work on time and ready to start working. Talk with your supervisor to understand how to maximize your time at work. For example, clarify what projects and tasks you should prioritize and the due dates for projects. If you think a project or task might take longer than anticipated, communicate an updated timeline to your supervisor or team as soon as possible. These practices can make a good impression now and build habits to support your future career success.

Develop goals

Setting goals for your on-campus job can help you to be intentional with the skills you build. Goal setting can be done individually and with your supervisor or team. You can meet with your supervisor to discuss your current professional development goals and how to incorporate the goals into your tasks and projects. For example, you could work on public speaking, project management, event planning, content writing and other work tailored to skill development.

Track skills, experiences and accomplishments

No matter what your position is for your on-campus job, you are gaining experience and learning new skills. Tracking these skills and regularly updating your resume and online job profiles is important. Add the skills you develop through your role, leadership and project experiences, and highlight significant work accomplishments. You can explore MySkillsthrough Career Services to learn more about valuable skills for your job or internship search.

Tell your friends

You can help build the team of student employees here at CU Boulder. If you love your job, tell your friends about your experience and encourage them to apply for an on-campus job. There is something for everyone, and part of a positive job experience is working with a motivated team. Check out open positions and share job opportunities with your friends. All student jobs are now posted in !

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As an A&S student, now is an excellent time to start thinking about what you can do this Fall for your future career success. Employers seek out students who have demonstrated skills through internships, relevant experiential projects and certificates. Additionally, students can use these experiences to understand their future career goals—what they want out of a job and who they want to work for. Students have access to innovative programs and opportunities to promote professional growth. These experiences add depth to your resume. They also provide examples to share during interviews to demonstrate your strengths and skills. Here are some opportunities to help you gain professional experience as an A&S student.

Find an internship

Internship experience is the most influential factor for employers when hiring A&S students, according to a job outlook survey by . This type of experience shows employers that students have direct experience applying their skills. Students at CU say that internships are one of the best experiential learning opportunities for helping them achieve their goals. Internships are also the perfect professional experience to try out your passions, build new skills and meet people who can help you find jobs. There are thousands of available internships that you can choose from on Handshake. Handshake makes it easy to find and apply to internships, many of which aren’t posted anywhere else. Career Services can help you prepare your resume for applications.

Earn a Google Career Certificate

Get ready to stand out in the job market and gain in-demand job skills for your future. You can now access free Google Career Certificates through Career Services. Learn from experts and get qualified for roles in fast-growing, high-demand fields, including cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing and e-commerce, IT support, project management and UX design.

Google Career Certificates don’t require previous experience. You can complete the certificate program in three to six months with under 10 hours of flexible study per week. These certificates can demonstrate your initiative to learn on your own, show you have skills in specialized areas and help you stand out over other candidates.

Get an on-campus job

Student employees are a core piece of the CU Boulder team. Working on campus can help A&S students learn skills, build a professional network and have a flexible work schedule. There are job opportunities for you all over campus in various roles. You can find on-campus jobs posted on Handshake. 

Learn about some of the departments that hire students, the types of jobs they offer and their current openings.

Simulate a job

It is hard to know what a job will be like until you try it out. Job simulations are an easy way to get a taste of what it is like to work for some of the world's biggest brands and top companies. Companies like Lululemon, JP Morgan, Lyft and Boston Consulting Group host great job simulations for CU students on Forage. 

Give back and build experience

Volunteer experience can help you learn new skills, meet new people and make a positive difference. The Volunteer Resource Center has excellent opportunities for A&S students to volunteer throughout the year with varying commitment levels and ways to contribute. Volunteering can be crucial to a future job or internship application to nonprofits or government agencies, and it can also help set you apart in your job search.

Set yourself up for success

Career Services helps A&S students position themselves for success through workshops, events, training and other resources. You can also meet with a peer career advisor during scheduled office hours or schedule an appointment with a career advisor.

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Now is the time to begin looking for a job or summer internship to complement your A&S degree. While industries may follow different hiring timelines, many companies are actively recruiting CU Boulder A&S students for a variety of positions. Career Services offers resources to help you in your search.

Use Handshake

Your CU Boulder Handshake account is ready for you! Career Services has customized tips and keyword searches for you to use to maximize your search. You can also use filters like job type, ‘remote opportunity’, and major to set up saved searches with criteria that match your interests/A&S degree. You’ll receive an email notification when employers post a new position that matches your search.

Take time to complete your Handshake profile to showcase your skills and experiences. When you have a more profile you are more likely to get job recommendations that match your skills, experience and preferences, and employers will be able to contact you directly about available opportunities. You can also use Handshake’s AI tool, Coco, to ask questions like: Where are interesting places to work in the Denver area? What industries are currently in high demand for people with my skills/degree?

Plan to attend career fairs

Find opportunities and connect with employers at career fairs this fall—particularly the Roam Anywhere Fair on 10/8. Career fairs are free online and in-person events where you can network and meet with recruiters who are hiring.

Review the schedule of upcoming career fairs and mark your calendar for the ones you’re interested in attending. Sign up to participate on Handshake and review the list of employers who will be attending. 

Students with complete Handshake profiles have a better chance of meeting one-on-one with employers at virtual fairs. Review these steps to complete your Handshake profile, and make sure it’s on the ‘public’ setting so employers can view it.

Work on your application materials

You want to act fast when you find an internship or job posting of interest to you. It can help to create a template resume and cover letter with your experience, skills and accomplishments. These core documents give you a starting point to tailor your experience and examples for each application. You can save time and focus more on adapting your documents rather than starting from scratch each time. 

Review tips from Career Services on how to perfect your resume and personalize your cover letter. These documents usually make the first impression with potential employers, so take the time to represent yourself well. 

Meet with others

You may feel like you don’t have a professional network yet, but you may be surprised to know you already have one. Your network includes previous employers, supervisors, A+S advisors, A&S professors, family friends—anyone who has supported your career growth or has the potential to do so. Now is a great time to reconnect and see if they know of upcoming opportunities. 

You can also build professional relationships with others in your field of interest. Join the Forever Buffs Network to start connecting with CU Boulder alumni. They can help with resume feedback and interview preparation. And some may be open to informational interviews or mentoring. Your LinkedIn profile can help you build your network and find opportunities throughout your professional career. 

Start today

Job and internship searching can feel intimidating, but if you spend 10 minutes four times a week on your search, those small bits of time will add up before you know it. Sometimes, we may talk ourselves out of applying if we don’t think we meet all the qualifications listed in the description. If you’re interested in a position and believe you can do it well, apply—even if you don’t meet every item on the list. Most employers will interview candidates if they meet most of their criteria.

It can take some time to find an internship or job that’s right for you. Stay patient and persistent and know that Career Services is here to help you every step of the way.

For more tips, check out weekly programs and workshops from Career Services. These free workshops will share best practices for finding internships, preparing for career fairs and more.

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