Interview Tips

Now that you have applied, below are some tips to help you prepare for your interview.

*Please note: All PHONE interview time slots are Eastern Standard Time.  All IN-PERSON interviews are scheduled using the time zone where the interview is taking place.

The SEO Interview

  • SEO interviews are like a tough job interview. We expect applicants to be as prepared to meet with us as they would be with one of our partner companies.
  • Interviews are by invitation only. If you are selected, you will receive an invitation via e-mail to sign up for an interview time. The invitation will come from SEO Career Program. We will use the e-mail address indicated on your application. Remember to check your bulk mail and junk mail folders as our emails are sometimes blocked.
  • Most interviews are in two stages. First you may be selected for a phone screen. After the phone screen you may be invited for an in-person interview. You will receive separate invitations for each. Please note there are no phone screens for the Corporate Law Program.  For some programs there may be follow-up phone screens or other assessment activities.
  • We host interviews at a variety of locations across the United States.  You will have an opportunity to schedule an interview for the location that is most convenient to you as long as spots are available.  Because we are a nonprofit organization, travel to your interview location is at your own expense.
  • SEO will conduct phone or Skype interviews for students who are studying abroad only. Please be sure to dress appropriately, provide an accurate telephone number and remember that all phone interview slots are Eastern Standard Time.
  • Interviews are conducted by two or more people who represent SEO staff, SEO alumni and/or representatives from SEO partners.

General Tips

  • Dress professionally. Please wear a conservative dark suit.
  • Bring three updated copies of your resume with you - check for typos ahead of time.
  • Bring pencil and paper to the interview.
  • Be on time. Make sure you get directions ahead of time and arrive 10 minutes early.
  • Be prepared to address and explore topics that you claim knowledge of in your application.
  • During the interview, listen closely to the questions that interviewers are asking. Ask questions if you are unclear. Be sure to make eye contact with all interviewers, not just the one asking the question. Speak in a professional and proper manner. Be friendly, but not casual. Avoid talking about very personal experiences during the interview.

How to Prepare

  • Know your resume! Anything that is listed on your resume may be asked. Don't list anything that isn't accurate. Review and think about what parts of it might be most relevant to SEO. This includes details about academic work, leadership experience, work history and community involvement.
  • Do your SEO homework! Be ready to present an understanding of the SEO mission and talk about how having an internship at SEO is different for working directly for a firm, corporation, or foundation.
  • View the webinars for all the SEO program areas to learn more about these industries and the SEO internship.  Click on Internship Areas, choose your first program choice, than click on the view webinar link.
  • Participate in mock interview sessions with SEO alumni or through your campus career services if possible. Practice interviewing with people you know and trust. This should not be the first time that you are sitting in front of people presenting yourself. Even if you just practice with friends or family, it will help to make you less nervous when you are going through the real thing.
  • Reach out to SEO alumni on your campus (click here for a list of Alum Contacts). Learn where they worked as an intern and what technical or industry skills they used on the job. Learn something from them about their experience not only as part of SEO, but as an employee of a partner organization.
  • Have a clear understanding of the industry you are applying for and why it is a good fit for you. Industry information is available on our website, career sites such as www.vault.com, and in guides that should be available through your career services office.
  • Review industry media: the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, the New York Times, other newspapers, websites, television shows, and magazines that address current events tied to your industry area of interest.
  • Visit the websites of some of our partner corporations, law firms and foundations. You can get a sense for their missions, histories, new initiatives, organizational structure, divisions, key management and recent changes or announcements. 
  • Prepare at least two questions to ask the interviews that can help you build on what was covered in the interview or increase your knowledge of the internship experience.