The people with the real insight on how to handle a Cassels OCI are the people who did it best: our students. Here are some tips gleaned from their insights:
- Familiarize yourself with your own resume so that you are prepared to speak about your experiences in detail. Think about how your experience links to our competencies.
- Use the STAR method when answering questions:
Situation: Describe the scene and give relevant details.
Task: Describe your responsibilities
Action: Explain the steps you took in the situation
Result: Share what outcomes you achieved - Remember to eat. You will need to be “on” for several hours, so staying properly fueled – and hydrated – is essential.
- Project confidence, exude positivity and try to enjoy the experience as much as possible. You will make a great impression on every firm if you seem like you are genuinely happy to be there. Although the interview process can be nerve-wracking, focus on the fact that you’re meeting with bright, personable and interesting people who are excited to get to know you better.
- The allotted interview time will fly by, so do your best to quickly turn the interview into a friendly yet professional conversation. Do this by asking genuine questions that reflect the things that matter to you and show you are actively engaged in the conversation.
- Write down key conversation points on the back of the business card you received from your interviewer right after the interview. That way, you can refer to a specific conversation point when you draft your thank-you email that night.
- Make use of your breaks between interviews to re-energize and focus on (and prepare for) your next interview.