Practice interviewing

Nail the interview, land the job

Preparing for interviews is a key part of your job or internship search. At CMU-Silicon Valley, we take this seriously and offer support that reflects the kinds of roles CMU-SV students pursue.

Our approach combines professional coaching, peer guidance, and practical tools. You’ll have access to a communication coach who works with Silicon Valley engineers, career consultants who understand the job market, and students who’ve recently completed the process themselves. Whether you’re practicing for a technical screen or preparing for a behavioral round, we help you strengthen your skills, improve your confidence, and prepare with purpose.

Why interviewing matters 

In a competitive job market, your interview often carries more weight than your resume. It’s where employers assess your communication skills, how you solve problems, and whether you’re the right fit for the team.

At CMU-SV, we help you prepare for that moment with direct support from people who know what hiring looks like here. You’ll work with:

• A professional interview coach who works with Silicon Valley engineers, founders, and product leaders
• Peer Career Consultants with recent experience navigating technical and behavioral interviews at top companies
• Career Services staff who can help you refine your approach and build confidence over time

Receive feedback from a Silicon Valley communication coach

Interview Lab gives you a chance to practice with a seasoned communication coach who also works with Silicon Valley professionals. These small-group sessions focus on behavioral interviews and communication strategy, helping you build clarity, confidence, and presence in a low-pressure environment.

In Interview Lab, you’ll:

• Practice behavioral interview questions in a supportive setting
• Strengthen your storytelling and verbal delivery
• Get real-time feedback from both the coach and your peers

New to CMU-SV? Kick off your interview prep

During orientation, you’ll have the chance to sign up for a mock interview with your communication coach which is a great way to get personalized feedback as the semester kicks off. Watch your inbox for a registration link and be sure to sign up!

After your mock interview, your coach will recommend a weekly Interview Lab workshop (you can register through Handshake) that’s tailored to your specific strengths and areas for growth. You’ll know exactly where to focus to build your skills and confidence.

No need to remember everything now—we’ll send reminders in Slack, the student events & activities calendar, and The Anchor newsletter so you never miss a session.

Practice technical and behavioral questions

At CMU-Silicon Valley, you’ll find practice opportunities designed specifically for the roles our students pursue. These sessions help you build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in both technical and behavioral interviews.

Here are three core resources to explore:

• SV method workshops: Practical, role-specific sessions for careers in product management, software engineering, AI, and more. These workshops break down what to expect and how to prepare, with insights drawn from industry standards and local employer expectations. (Check Handshake for upcoming sessions)
• Coding Gym: A peer-led space to strengthen your technical interview skills. Practice solving coding problems and get feedback from other students who have recently gone through interviews at major tech companies.
• Interview Lab: Small-group sessions with a Silicon Valley communication coach focused on behavioral interview prep. Practice real questions, refine your answers, and get actionable feedback in a supportive environment.

Use smart tools and peer support to strengthen your skills

Interviewing is a skill you can build, and we’re here to help. CMU-SV offers tools and peer support to help you practice, reflect, and improve.

Try Big Interview

This AI-powered platform helps you practice common interview questions in a private, low-stakes environment. Upload video responses and receive real-time feedback on eye contact, filler words, tone, and pacing. It’s a great way to practice before a live interview or a mock session with a PCC.

Practice with a peer career consultant

Our PCCs have interviewed for roles in software engineering, product management, security, and beyond. Drop by during Open Student Hours to:

• Run through mock technical or behavioral interviews
• Get personalized feedback on delivery and content
• Talk through your prep strategy and how to improve

(Check the student events & activities calendar for weekday availability.)

Tips from students who’ve been there

• Think out loud to show your approach during technical interviews
• Expect behavioral questions like “Tell me about a challenge you faced” or “Why this role?”
  Aim for answers that are clear, confident, and focused

Get ready for interviews with these five steps

Step 1: Understand what you’re preparing for

Step 2: Identify and organize your key stories

Step 3: Practice out loud

Step 4: Reflect and adjust

Step 5: Stay ready and keep going

Extra tools & final prep steps

Before you head into your next interview, make sure you’ve done the following:

• Review the job description again and match your experiences to each requirement
• Have 3–5 key stories ready to go (use STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result)
• Practice both technical and behavioral questions with a friend, PCC, or through Big Interview 
• Prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer—this shows curiosity and preparation

Keep up the momentum

Now’s the time to build on what you’ve started. The next step? Create a focused strategy for landing your job or internship.

Use these pages to take action and move forward with confidence:

• Land a job or internship
• Attend workshops and events
• Get advice