Interviewing 101
In this section, you’ll find helpful tips on how to prepare for an interview, some sample questions to practice with, and what to do afterwards!
Pre-Interview Tips
Research the organization & understand the position.
- Learn about the organization's mission, values, and current projects. Understand what their goal is and how they are trying to accomplish it.
- Familiarize yourself with the key individuals within the organization, including their roles and achievements.
- Review the job description thoroughly to understand the specific responsibilities of the position, and be ready to discuss how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements.
Prepare to talk about relevant experience, what draws you to the role, and your skills.
- Practice highlighting your past experiences related to the role, including any research, fieldwork, or volunteer work you've done.
- Tips for answering the dreaded “tell me about yourself” question: Talk about your past, present, and future! Past: Talk about how you got there and/or mention previous experience that’s relevant to the role you’re applying for. Present: Talk about what you are currently doing and perhaps a big recent accomplishment. Future: Elaborate on your goals for the future and how the role will help you achieve these goals.
- Refresh yourself on specific projects or initiatives you've been involved in and the impact they had.
- An easy way to share your passion for something is to discuss what inspired your interest and how you've actively pursued it. Make sure to share any relevant hobbies, such as scuba diving, sailing, or participation in beach clean-ups.
- If the position requires specific technical skills, such as GIS, data analysis, or knowledge of marine biology, emphasize your proficiency in these areas.
Practice problem-solving scenarios, examples of team collaboration, and clear communication.
- Prepare for situational and behavioural questions by thinking about challenges you've faced in the past and how you overcame them. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses.
- Practice clear and concise communication. Avoid jargon and ensure you can explain complex concepts in an understandable manner.
- Emphasize your ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams. Discuss experiences where you successfully collaborated on conservation projects.
- Showcase your ability to adapt to different environments and challenges, as marine conservation work often involves fieldwork and changing conditions.
Ask Informed Questions
- Prepare thoughtful questions about the organization, team dynamics, and the specific challenges faced in the role. This demonstrates your genuine interest and curiosity!
- Be aware of current issues and trends in marine conservation. Not only does this demonstrate your ongoing interest and engagement in the field, but asking questions about how the organization addresses these can help you determine if they will be a good fit for you!
Sample interview Questions
Below are some sample interview questions to practice answering. Interviewing is a skill that just gets better the more you do it. Something that can really help is to write or type out some of your answers to these questions, and then practicing them out loud until they feel natural. Then start practicing these questions with a friend! Answering interview questions is all about how to craft your statements into something strong, and once you have practiced a lot, you will be familiar with what talking points (experiences, skills, etc.) you can lean on and it will start feeling more natural.
Interviews can be stressful, but try to remember that at the end of the day, these are conversations with the team you want to work with. They are just trying to figure out if you will be a good fit with their dynamic. Be professional, but also don’t be afraid to show your passions and personality!
Tell me about yourself/your background. Why are you interested in working in marine conservation?
What motivates you to pursue a career in marine conservation, and how do you plan to make a positive impact in this field?
Can you share an example of a specific project or experience related to marine conservation that you were involved in during your academic studies or any volunteer work?
What skills do you possess that make you a good fit for this position?
What role do you think collaboration plays in successful marine conservation initiatives, and how do you contribute to a collaborative work environment?
Can you provide an example of a successful teamwork experience you've had in the past, either in an academic or professional setting?
Have you ever faced a challenge in a team setting? How did you handle it? Describe a situation where you had to adapt to unexpected changes or challenges.
Have you used any specific tools or software related to marine research or conservation?
How do you stay updated on current issues and trends in marine conservation?
How would you approach community engagement and outreach to raise awareness about marine conservation issues?
Can you discuss a time when you had to work with limited resources to achieve a conservation goal?
How do you prioritize and manage your time when working on multiple tasks or projects simultaneously?
How do you handle stress or pressure in a work environment, especially during fieldwork or research expeditions?
Post-Interview Tips
Send a Thank-You Email:
- Send a personalized thank-you note to the person you interviewed with, within 24 hours of the interview. This allows you to express your gratitude for the opportunity, and reiterate your enthusiasm for the position. If there were questions during the interview that you felt you could have answered more thoroughly or if you want to provide additional information, you can do so in the thank-you note.
Follow Up:
- If the interviewer provided a timeline for the decision-making process, be mindful of it. If the decision date passes, it's acceptable to follow up politely to inquire about the status.
- If you are genuinely interested in the position, express your continued interest in the role and the organization in subsequent communications.
- If you haven't already, consider connecting with your interviewers on LinkedIn. It's a professional way to stay in touch and demonstrate ongoing interest.
- Be professional in your follow-ups, whether you receive an offer or not. Regardless of the outcome, maintain a positive and gracious tone in your communications. Remember that the post-interview phase is an essential part of the overall interview process. Your professionalism and continued interest can leave a lasting impression on the hiring team.
Reflect on the Interview
- Take some time to reflect on the interview. Consider what went well and what could be improved. This self-reflection can be useful for future interviews.
- If the interview was the first round, be prepared for potential additional interviews or assessments. Stay proactive and responsive to any further requests from the hiring team.
Stay Hopeful!
- Maybe you had a bad interview, or got rejected from a role. Maybe you didn’t even get a response, even though you crafted a truly gorgeous thank you note and followed up politely. These situations suck (believe me, I know firsthand), but it isn’t the end of the world! It can be hard to stay motivated, but it’s important to remember that every interview you go on is just training you for the next one. Determination is a learned trait, and your time will come as long as you are working hard for it. Don’t be afraid to shoot your shot, and remember to have a little flexibility. Learning opportunities are around every corner. If you are trying, you are already growing as a person!