Interviewing & Negotiation

You've done all the right things to get your foot in the door with a company: a great resume and cover letter, an appealing online presence, built your network connections, and implemented an effective job or internship search strategy.

However, you're not hired yet! You'll need strong interviewing skills to sellthe prospective employer on the benefits you can bring to the company.

Do not go into an interview unprepared! Utilizing these interview prep resources can help you understand the interview process, feel comfortable in an interview setting, anticipate which questions will be asked, prepare for technical interview questions, and get interviewing practice so you can land that dream job or internship!

If you have additional questions after using these online interviewing resources, schedule an appointment with our Engineering Career Hub advising team.

Prepare for an Interview

Wouldn’t it be great if you knew exactly what questions you would be asked in a job interview? Even the most qualified candidate can be thrown off by a random interview question. Our advice? Prepare and practice.We’ve compiled some of the most common questions that might get asked during an interview. Write out your answers and practice out loud with a friend or an Engineering Career Hub advisor.

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why did you choose your major?
  • How has what you learned in school prepared you for this position?
  • What are your top three strengths?
  • What is your greatest weakness?
  • How do you think a friend, classmate or professor who knows you well would describe you?
  • Why should I hire you?
  • What qualifications do you have that make you think you will be successful in this job?
  • In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our organization?
  • What work environment are you most comfortable in?
  • Tell me two or three accomplishments that have given you the most satisfaction. Why?
  • Describe an ideal relationship between a supervisor and subordinates.
  • Why did you decide to seek a position with our organization?
  • What were the most important contributions you made in your last job?
  • Tell me about a time when you had to cope with strict deadlines or time demands.
  • Give me an example of a time when you had a particularly challenging situation with a peer/co-worker/customer. How were you able to handle the situation, even when you were angry and frustrated?
  • Describe a time when you were under pressure to make an immediate decision. Did you take action immediately, or were you more deliberate and slow?
  • Tell me about a situation when you had to stand up for a decision you made even though it was unpopular.
  • Tell me about a new idea, policy, or procedure that you implemented that was considerably different from an existing one. What approach did you take to gain buy-in from your peers? What was the end result?
  • Tell me about your experience in dealing with routine work. What kinds of problems did you have to overcome in order to concentrate on the details of the job?
  • Tell me about a time when you took the initiative to set goals and objectives even though you were not prompted or directed by others to do so.
  • Describe a time when you had to bend the rules in order to be successful or accomplish a goal.
  • Tell me about a time when your understanding of organizational climate or culture helped you to achieve your desired results.
  • Tell me about a time when you were proud of your ability to be objective even though you were emotional about a problem situation.
  • Describe a work situation where you set a positive example for others.
  • What are the most challenging aspects of the job?
  • What is the departmental structure?
  • Where does this position fit in the organization?
  • Why do you enjoy working for your organization?
  • What initial training will I receive?
  • What opportunities for professional growth does the organization offer?
  • How is an employee evaluated and promoted?
  • What are the characteristics of a successful person at your company?
  • What are the organization’s plans for future growth?
  • What are the biggest challenges facing the organization/department?
  • What is the management style of the organization? Of the department?
  • How would you describe your company culture?
  • Quinncia: an AI mock interview tool that will evaluate your interviewing skills virtually. You will receive feedback on your rate and clarity of speech, micro-expressions and the content of your responses. You will receive questions that are tailored to your major, industry of choice and experiences on your resume.
  • Interview Prep

Technical Interviews

What Are Technical Interviews?
If you’re applying for computer science, software engineering, or other tech-related jobs, chances are you’ll face a technical interview. Unlike a traditional interview that focuses mostly on your resume and soft skills, a technical interview is meant to see how you think and solve problems. You might be asked to write code, talk through your approach to a tricky problem, or explain how you’d debug a program.

What You Can Expect
Technical interviews often involve coding challenges, whiteboard questions, or online assessments that test your understanding of algorithms, data structures, and problem-solving skills. But it’s not just about getting the “right” answer—employers also want to see how clearly you explain your reasoning and how you work through challenges step by step. Practicing problems and learning how to talk through your process are key ways to prepare.

Why They’re Important
For many tech companies, technical interviews are one of the most important parts of the hiring process. Doing well shows that you not only have the technical know-how but also the communication and teamwork skills needed to succeed on the job. Strong performance can help you stand out and land internships, full-time roles, and other competitive opportunities.

How the Seek Additional Assistance
Utilize our online resources to prepare you for technical interviews. Ask your faculty, TAs, and other students to assist with technical interview preparation.

Data Structures

  • Linked lists
  • Trees, tries andgraphs
  • Stacks and queues
  • Heaps
  • Vectors/array lists
  • Hash tables

Algorithms

  • Breadth-first search
  • Depth-first search
  • Binary search
  • Merge sort
  • Quick sort

Concepts

  • Bit manipulation
  • Memory (stack vs. heap)
  • Recursion
  • Dynamic programming
  • Big O time and space
Preparing for your technical interview
  • Do your best to talk out loud throughout the problem and explain your thought process
  • If the interviewer jumps in to help, let them.
  • Be prepared to answer “why did you do it this way?”
  • Do not ignore information given. Info is there for a reason.
  • Do not try to solve problems in your head. Use an example.
  • Do not push through code when confused. Stop and think.
  • Do not dive into code without the interviewer "sign off."
Preparing for your technical interview

Practice Interview Questions

Salary and Benefit Negotiation

As you prepare to launch your career in engineering or computing, one of the most important professional skills you can develop is learning how to negotiate your job offer. Whether you are considering a role in software development, data science, hardware engineering, or another tech-focused field, your offer will likely include more than just base pay. Benefits, bonuses, equity, and growth opportunities all play a role in shaping the full value of your compensation package. By understanding how to organize and prepare for these conversations, you can ensure your first role sets you up for long-term success.

1. Understand the Full Offer

Negotiating a job offer goes beyond the base salary. For computer science and coding roles, compensation often includes benefits such as signing bonuses, stock options, relocation assistance, and professional development support. Taking time to evaluate all elements of the package helps you see the complete picture of what’s being offered.

2. Research and Prepare

In the tech industry, negotiations are common and expected. To be ready, research industry salary benchmarks using tools like Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, or government data sources. Consider cost of living in the job’s location and how your unique skills fit into market demand. Solid preparation helps you approach the discussion with confidence.

3. Organize Your Talking Points

Before speaking with an employer, create a written list of your priorities and supporting evidence. For example:

  • Market research: salary ranges for similar roles.
  • Your value: specific skills, projects, or experiences that make you a strong candidate.
  • Your priorities: what matters most (salary, flexibility, growth opportunities, benefits).
  • Your ask: a clear, realistic request (e.g., “Based on my research, I’d like to request a salary in the $X–Y range”).

Practicing how you’ll phrase these points will help you stay calm and professional during the conversation.

4. Clarify Your Priorities

Salary is only one part of the negotiation. You may value flexibility, equity in a company, career development opportunities, or other benefits. By knowing which items you’re willing to compromise on and which are non-negotiable, you can enter the discussion prepared to collaborate and find a balanced outcome.

5. Seek Support and Practice

Negotiation can feel intimidating, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. The Engineering Career Hub advising team can help you evaluate offers, compare benefits, and practice negotiation conversations. By organizing your priorities and rehearsing your talking points with an advisor, you’ll feel prepared to advocate for yourself and secure the best possible outcome.

Negotiating your salary and benefits is more than a single conversation—it’s a professional skill that can benefit you throughout your career in engineering or computer science. By preparing thoroughly, practicing your talking points, and understanding the full scope of your offer, you’ll position yourself for both immediate success and long-term career growth. Remember, the Engineering Career Hub is here to support you every step of the way as you build the confidence to advocate for your future.