Interviews

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

Clothing Closet

Fall

Spring

Summer

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

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!

On-Campus Recruiting

Fall

Spring

Summer

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

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.

Resources

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.

Participating in On-Campus Interviewing

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

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!

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.

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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.

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 be successful. Preparations for All Types of Interviews...

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

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Preparing for an Engineering Interview

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

Engineering & Technology

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.

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.

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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.

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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 your age, race, national origin, citizenship, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation,...

In the Know

August 22, 2024

CCE On The Road In Seattle: Exploring Career Opportunities in the Pacific Northwest

This summer, CCE’s Employer & Alumni Relations Team traveled coast to coast, visiting major cities to discover career opportunities for students. Jazmin Lesane traveled to Seattle, Washington, a hub of innovation, technology, and social impact! Read on for her key takeaways.

Engineering & Technology

June 21, 2024

What You Need to Know for Consulting Recruiting: Summer 2025

Consulting application season is almost here! If you are planning to apply to jobs or internships for summer 2025 , you’ll find useful recruiting timelines, guidance for preparing, and helpful tips for interviewing below.

Consulting

May 31, 2024

Careers in Tech: Recruiting Resources for Jobs and Internships

Are you interested in a career in tech? LionSHARE , powered by Handshake, is an online platform available exclusively to students and alumni served by the Center for Career Education (CCE) where you’ll find job postings, information sessions, and virtual and in-person recruiting events. However,...

Engineering & Technology

May 16, 2024

Tech Interview Tips: Software Development at Five Rings

On Monday, March 25, 2024, the Center for Career Education (CCE) hosted Five Rings for a Design Your Next Steps workshop on Tech Interview Tips: Software Development. Five Rings is a quantitative proprietary trading firm founded with a vision of combining strategy, innovation, and technology to...

Engineering & Technology

April 12, 2024

Consulting Case Study Workshop with AlixPartners

On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, the Center for Career Education (CCE) hosted AlixPartners for a Design Your Next Steps workshop on Consulting Case Study. CCE was joined by three Columbia alums on the Corporate Strategy & Transformation (CS&T) team: Landon Baty (VP), Amber Swinarski (VP), and...

Consulting

January 17, 2024

Employer Skills Design Your Next Steps Workshops

Last semester, the Center for Career Education partnered with employers across industries as part of CCE’s Design Your Next Steps workshop series, to help students gain practical skills for engagement with employers and alumni. Fall Employer Workshops: Consulting Case Study Workshop with OC&C...

September 05, 2023

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 communicate the value of this summer experience to future employers? Dear Student, While approaching the end...

Female recruiter shakes the hand of a Columbia female student at a career fair.

June 15, 2023

Multi-Industry Recruiting Timelines (Summer 2024)

Whether you’re looking for an internship for Summer 2024 or planning ahead, it is important to be aware of what recruiting timelines look like across industries. Explore the drop-downs by industry below to find insights from our Employer & Alumni Relations Team on what you can expect in the...

Engineering & Technology

Financial Services

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.

Consulting

January 08, 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.

December 06, 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.

November 01, 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 companies and industries hire on an as-needed basis, meaning they hire when a position is available rather...

August 15, 2018

Dress for Success with CCE's Clothing Closet!

Dress for success with CCE’s Clothing Closet Service !

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