Tips To Help Prepare for an Interview with Booz Allen

What are the two most common mistakes candidates make when interviewing for a job at Booz Allen Hamilton? Inadequately preparing for the interview, and not researching the firm.

Associate Chris Carlson provides several specific tips to help job hunters prepare for an interview:

• Research Booz Allen and understand the opportunity for which you’re applying.
• Write an inventory of your key achievements and failures before coming to the interview.
• Have a strong sense of self-awareness, and review your resume to jog your memory.
• Anticipate the questions that the interviewer is likely to ask and practice your answers.
• Write 3 or 4 things you want Booz Allen to know about you and incorporate them into your interview.
• At the interview, show an interest in the firm and ask relevant questions, such as how the state of the U.S. economy has impacted Booz Allen’s business. Don’t ask about benefits or vacation time during the first interview.
• When asked, use recent examples from internships, school, community service, hobbies, or work experiences where you demonstrated the skills that Booz Allen seeks. When sharing negative experiences, choose those that had positive outcomes or from which you learned something.
• If you’ve answered a question and the interviewer pauses, follow up with a relevant question about Booz Allen or ask whether the interviewer needs additional information. Don’t babble or talk incessantly to fill the silence.
• Answer the question that was asked—and only the question that was asked.

Carlson suggests candidates use the 3-step “STAR” approach to frame their answers to interview questions: 1. Situation or Task, 2. Action, and 3. Result. Using this approach, the candidate would describe the situation or task; what specific actions she took that had an effect on the situation; and the positive result or outcome.

And try to avoid common pitfalls:

• Not having answers
• Not having questions
• Talking too much or too little
• Lack of focus
• Deception
• Criticizing former co-workers, teammates, or employers
• Revealing too much personal information

Additional Information

• Interview Style is Key to Hiring the Best Workforce—or Finding the Ideal Job