Work · Interviews

How interviews work

Most interviews move through the same stages: introduction, their questions, your questions and the close. Research the employer, rehearse a short "tell me about yourself" and a few STAR stories out loud, and arrive or sign on 10 to 15 minutes early. Answer honestly, never bad-mouth a past boss, ask your own questions, and end by asking about next steps. You don't have to answer questions about your health, marital status or arrests.

Moderate1–2 hours to prepareFreeChecked October 2, 2026

You'll need

The job posting
A notebook and pen
Clothes that fit the workplace, clean and ready the day before
A friend to practice with, if you can

Do it like this

Research the employer and the job. It helps you answer their questions, show you're interested and come up with questions of your own. Source: CareerOneStop¹ Re-read the job description and your resume. Source: Dept. of Labor⁴
Prepare "Tell me about yourself." Have one or two sentences about your background. Source: CareerOneStop² One structure: who you are now, the past experience that's relevant, and why you want this job. Source: LSU³
Prepare stories for "Tell me about a time when..." questions using the STAR method. Source: LSU³ See Story answers (STAR).
Write three or more questions to ask. Not asking any can look like you're not interested. Source: CareerOneStop¹ Good ones: "What's a typical day like in this job?" "How is performance measured, and by whom?" "What training is offered?" Source: CareerOneStop¹
On the day, plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, or be signed on 10 to 15 minutes early for an online interview. Bring a notebook and pen, leave the coffee in the car and mute your phone. Source: CareerOneStop¹ The interview starts when you arrive, so be polite to everyone you meet. Source: Dept. of Labor⁴
During it, let the interviewer start. Give honest, direct answers, and ask them to repeat or clarify any question you don't understand. Don't bad-mouth past employers. Source: CareerOneStop¹ Speak clearly and not too fast. Source: Dept. of Labor⁴
Close strong. Thank them, restate your interest ("After learning more, I think I'd be an asset to your team"), and ask about next steps or when to follow up. Source: Dept. of Labor⁴
Send a thank-you within 24 hours. Source: CareerOneStop¹ See Following up after an interview.

Watch out Some questions employers can't ask, mostly about your health, marital status or legal history, like "Have you ever been arrested?" or "Are you taking any prescribed drugs?" You don't have to answer them. Source: CareerOneStop²

See it done

Video by EBRPL Career Center Public library

How Teens Can Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”

Watch on YouTube: How Teens Can Answer, "Tell Me About Yourself"

Full title on YouTube: “How Teens Can Answer, "Tell Me About Yourself"”2021 · Checked October 3, 2026

This covers one question only: “Tell me about yourself.” The rest of the interview is in the steps.

Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.

If it doesn't work

Blanked on a question? It's OK to pause and collect your thoughts before you answer. Source: Dept. of Labor⁴
Unexpected call from a recruiter while you're driving? Pull over and give the call your full attention. Source: Dept. of Labor⁴
Asked about salary early? You can say you'd like to learn more about the job first, or give a range based on your research. Source: Dept. of Labor⁴ See How to ask for a raise for how to research pay.
Nervous? Feeling anxious is common, and preparation helps a lot. Source: CareerOneStop² Many American Job Centers offer free interview prep and mock interviews. Source: CareerOneStop²
Didn't get it? Send a short note saying you're still interested in the company. Hiring managers often go back to people they've already interviewed when new openings come up. Source: Dept. of Labor⁴

Good to know

The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.

Phone screens

A phone screening can be unscheduled and as short as 10 minutes, to check basic qualifications. A scheduled phone interview is more in-depth and can run 30 minutes or longer. Find a quiet place, charge your phone and keep your notes handy, but don't read from them. Source: Dept. of Labor⁴

Video interviews

Test your camera and mic with a friend, put the camera at eye level, don't sit with your back to a window, use a plain background and have the company's phone number in case the tech fails. Source: Dept. of Labor⁴ Some are one-way: you record answers to questions on a website. Source: Dept. of Labor⁴

Panel interviews

With two or more interviewers, make eye contact with the whole panel, a little more with whoever asked the question, and bring a copy of your resume for each person. Source: Dept. of Labor⁴

The weakness question

Be honest, but pick a weakness that won't seriously affect the job or that has a positive side. Then say what you're doing about it. Source: CareerOneStop²

It goes both ways

An interview is a two-way conversation. You're checking whether the job fits you as much as they're checking you. Source: LSU³

Take it with you

Printable card Download card (PDF)

Sources

CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) Get ready to interview
CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) Practice interview questions
LSU Olinde Career Center Interview preparation
U.S. Department of Labor TEAMS Interview Skills participant guide (PDF, Feb. 2026)

Lesson W3.1 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.

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