Career Development Resources
Interview Tips by Major
One of the biggest mistakes students make during interviews is talking only about what they studied instead of what they learned.
Employers want to hear how your experiences have prepared you to contribute to their organization. Use examples from coursework, research, internships, campus involvement, leadership, employment, and volunteer experiences to demonstrate your skills.
What to highlight in your interview
Biology & Forensic Biology
- Discuss laboratory techniques, research projects, data collection, scientific writing, or teamwork in lab settings.
- Explain how you solved problems, interpreted results, or maintained attention to detail.
Chemistry & Forensic Chemistry
Highlight laboratory safety, analytical thinking, instrumentation, precision, and troubleshooting experiments.
Physics
Describe complex problem-solving, mathematical modeling, research, programming, or technical projects.
Psychology
Share examples involving research methods, data analysis, communication, teamwork, ethics, or understanding human behavior.
History
Discuss archival research, evaluating sources, persuasive writing, presentations, and critical analysis.
English, Professional Writing & Scientific/Technical Writing
Showcase writing, editing, presentations, audience awareness, collaboration, and meeting deadlines.
Political Science & International Studies
Discuss policy research, debate, presentations, leadership, civic engagement, and analytical thinking.
Mathematics
Highlight quantitative analysis, statistics, logical reasoning, coding, modeling, and attention to detail.
Sociology, Social Work & Women’s and Gender Studies
Describe community engagement, research, teamwork, communication, cultural awareness, advocacy, and problem-solving.
Communication Studies
Share public speaking, media projects, conflict resolution, collaboration, and interpersonal communication experiences.
Neuroscience & Earth/Environmental Science
Discuss field work, laboratory research, data analysis, scientific communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Use the STAR method
Use the STAR method to answer behavioral interview questions. Focus on what you contributed, the skills you demonstrated, and the results you achieved.
Situation
Set the context.
Task
Explain your responsibility.
Action
Describe what you specifically did.
Result
Show the outcome and what you learned.
Your major provides knowledge, but employers are also looking for transferable skills.
Communication, teamwork, critical thinking, leadership, professionalism, adaptability, and problem-solving all count. Help employers connect your Eberly experiences to the value you will bring to their organization.
Need personalized interview coaching?
Every interview is unique. Meet with Eberly Career Development for individualized interview preparation, mock interviews, feedback, and strategies tailored to your goals.