Mastering the Public Sector Interview

Career Planning & Professionalism

Before the Interview

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

DO YOUR RESEARCH:• What is the organization’s mission?• What are its priorities?• Who are its clients and what communities does it

serve?• What are some recent cases/accomplishments

(check press releases, blog posts, Google News search)?

• How big is it, how long has it been around, where is it located?

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

• Review Job Posting and make sure you know Job Responsibilities (if listed)

• Talk to current students and/or alums who have previously worked at the organization

• Work on Interview Prep Worksheet for each interview

• Be prepared to talk about anything on your resume (e.g. Do you remember your thesis? Do you state that you speak a language?)

• Think through logistics in advance

Career Planning & Professionalism

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

1) Why do you want to work at this organization/this agency/this court?

2) What in your previous experience prepares you for the position/why are you the best candidate for this role?

3) How would this internship fit into your long-term goals?

4) Tell me something about yourself that isn’t on your resume/what do you like to do in your free time?

5) What questions do you have about us and the internship?

6) Tell us about a time when you worked on a team. What was your role and what did your team accomplish? What did you learn from the experience about teamwork?

Curveball Questions…

1) Imagine that peanut butter is on trial. What are the strongest arguments against its existence? What are the arguments for? Go!

2) What’s the most pressing issue faced by clients who are involved in the criminal justice system and how would you propose addressing it?

3) What’s the most pressing access to justice problem our society faces today?

4) Tell us about a time when you witnessed an injustice. What were the circumstances and what did you do about it?

5) Tell us about a time when you had to exercise professional discretion/judgment.

GENERAL TIPS

• Know where you are going and how to get there• Arrive early• Dress professionally• Firm handshake and introduce yourself • Voice: tone and pace• Eye contact is important• Do your best to show energy and excitement• Always keep it positive and professional• Dialogue/conversation, not a monologue• Ask for a copy of the employer’s card:

“May I have a copy of your business card please?”• Consider your audience and think before you speak

After the Interview

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

• Send a concise e-mail by close of business on the following day thanking the employer for taking the time to speak with you and highlighting subjects that you enjoyed speaking about.

• Make sure the e-mail is free of typos