How to Prepare for Co-op Interviews | Co-op Panel Recap (Part 2)
Although every interview is different, there are some questions that you can almost guarantee will be asked of you, and these include telling the interviewer about yourself, why you’d be a good fit, why you want to work at a certain company, and your strengths and weaknesses.
Talking about yourself is an especially important one because it is usually asked at the start and really sets the tone for the rest of the interview. Practise, but not to the point at which you sound robotic. Tell the interviewer about how your past experiences helped develop the interest that you currently have in this role. Research the company. Perhaps they are involved in some initiatives that you are also interested in. Highlight what you want to learn from them. Always go above and beyond.
Oftentimes, employers also like to ask situational questions during interviews. When they do this, they usually begin with ‘Tell me a time when’. What they want to know is your ability to articulate what you did, how you did it and what your impact was. They also want to see your response to being put in certain situations, how you handle teamwork and your critical thinking skills. A good way to be prepared for potential situational questions is to think about a time when you were in a sticky situation, when you were a leader, and when you’ve stood out as a group member. These three situations are quite common and can be used to answer multiple situational questions.
Interview Tips
Ask questions
Ensure that your questions show some in-depth knowledge about the company or the role you’re applying for.
Show off your personality
Don’t put everything on your resume. Leave some traits and talents for the interviewer to learn about you during the interview.
Take pauses when talking
Talking too fast gives the impression that you’re nervous but speaking clearly tells the interviewer that you are confident in what you’re saying.
Be confident
Remind yourself that you would not be selected for the interview if the employer did not think that you were capable.
Questions You Can Ask at The End of An Interview
What does a typical workday look like?
What is the biggest challenge that someone in this role would face?
What’s your favourite part about working at this company?
Do you have any concerns about my qualifications?
Co-op Experiences
Remote work is at an all-time high due to the ongoing pandemic and though it may not be how you expected to begin your co-op journey, it’s important to keep a positive mindset! Working remotely gives you the opportunity to work without geographical locations, allows for flexibility and could even save transportation costs. That being said, don’t be afraid to reach out if you need help with onboarding and getting familiar with company software. Some companies may send products for you to work with and some might not. Either way, they are there to help you.
Also, it is very important for you to have a positive attitude while working. Personality goes a long way and despite how good you are at your job, your personality will always define you first. So, connect with other employees and make sure you leave a lasting impression!
Additional Q&A
What software are best to know/learn when applying for design co-ops?
Jia: You should definitely know Adobe Creative Cloud for graphic design. For UX/UI Design, you’ll likely use Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD. If you come in with little experience, more experienced co-workers will help you. However, I’d suggest finding tutorials online to learn and practice with personal projects beforehand.
What was it like working for 8 months at one company?
Irina: Four months is not always enough time to meet everyone and properly start and finish projects. This was my first marketing job, so I had more time to be trained and acquire more skills before I began working on my own.
Do you have any advice for those looking to secure bank-specific co-ops?
Shelina: It may sound like an intimidating industry, however, banks are looking for curious, adaptable and coachable students. Being able to work cross-functionally is key. You don’t need to be perfectly aligned with their required skills, as long as you’re willing and capable of learning.
