If your experience requires applications to projects, after you apply to a project, the company and employer for the project may choose to conduct an interview with you to make sure you are a good fit for the project and to clarify any of the project details.
Here are the best ways you can prepare for and participate in an interview.
Before the interview
Research the project and the company
Read the project description in full. Make sure you understand the problem, goals, and deliverables.
Research the company. Visit the company's website, search for them on the web, look them up on LinkedIn. Try and understand as much as you can about them and how the project might fit in to their needs.
Research the employer. Look up the individual associated with the project on LinkedIn or other sites. Try and understand where they fit into the company and what knowledge they may have that can help you complete the project.
Be ready to ask questions
Write down questions ahead of time. After you read the project description, come up with a list of your own questions which will help clarify deliverables, timelines or other expectations. Examples include:
What format should the deliverable be in?
Do you have any existing work product I can look at as an example?
How will the final deliverables be used?
Clarify logistics. Prepare questions about how the work should actually be completed.
Will we be in regular communication?
Should regular status updates be provided?
Will we set up a regular meeting time?
How will feedback be given throughout the project?
Prepare to promote yourself
Think about your related skills. What have you studied or worked on recently that is related to this project? How can your skills be applied to it? This could come in the form of:
Projects you have completed for companies
Projects you have completed on your own
Courses you are completing
Past work experience
During the interview
Be professional
Communicate with the employer as you would in a professional role.
Show up on time
Introduce yourself
Be courteous
If your interview is being conducted with video conferencing:
Test your equipment ahead of time
Turn your webcam on if you have one
Ask questions
Remember that interviews are two way streets. The company is interviewing you as much as you are them. Ask all the question you have prepared ahead of time. Don't leave details to guess at later
Confirm details
Timeline. Does the timeline of the project need to be discussed? Make sure you set a start and end date appropriately.
Communication. Ensure you understand what is to be expected in terms of ongoing communication during the project and how further questions can be asked.
Success criteria. Re-confirm deliverables and what will make them successful.
Understand next steps
Check to see if any more interviews are being conducted.
Ask when a decision will be made