Interviewing

• Analyze the job description to determine the skills and qualities you can connect to your experiences in the interview.
• Identify talking points about your skills, experiences, or interests that can be applied to many questions. This will help you prepare for questions you didn't expect. 
• Develop brief scenarios or prior to your interview that demonstrate your teamwork, communication, leadership, etc. Each “story” should explain the problem, action, result, and the lesson learned. Be specific so the employer can understand your skills and experiences. 
• Prepare responses to questions you feel least confident in or that require more thought. 
• Be prepared to provide examples of occasions when results were different than expected. Your skill in handling failure as well as success will be probed.
• Identify three to five top strengths – attributes that set you apart from other candidates – and be sure to point them out during the interview.
• If you are in contact with a recruiter or hiring manager, ask questions about the interview style, attendees, types of questions that may be asked, interview attire, etc. to help you prepare. 
• Do not rely on AI generated responses at any stage of the interview process, as recruiters can identify these answers and want to hear your genuine responses. 

• Phone Interview/Phone Screen 
  • Typically a shorter initial interview used by hiring teams or recruiters to gauge candidates interest, ask about specific skills or qualifications, and select who will move on in the interview process
  • Although phone interviews are more casual, getting dressed in interview attire and preparing sufficently can help you succeed
• Virtual Interview
  • Virtual interviews may happen at any point in the interview process and may feature one or more interviewers
  • Prepare your attire, background, and environment to appear professional and clear of distractions. If you need a quiet place for an interview, reserve a study room or interview room. 
• Panel Interview   
  • Panel interviews may include the hiring team, other team members, people from other departments or units that work closely with the role, and other important decision makers
  • If you are given details about the interviewers, research each person's background and involvement in the company, coming up with any specific questions for individuals on the panel if applicable
• Group Interviews
  • Group interviews typically include multiple job candidates and one interviewer and are less common 
  • In a group interview, be aware of your dynamics with other candidates, listen to their responses, and make sure to participate equally
• Case Studies
  • Often based on a problem/scenario the interviewer has worked on in real life and are often used in banking, sales, finance, or HR industries.
  • Be proactive about asking the right questions to asses the situation while closing in on a conclusion. 
• Case Interviews
  • Typically used by consulting firms to test a candidate’s problem solving and soft skills.
  • See our Case Interviewing page for more information and prep resources
• Super Day
  • Often the last step in the interview process for finance and investment banking roles 
  • Can include multiple interviews with a variety of staff members and may cover both behavioral and technical interview questions
• Technical Interviews
  •  Common in the tech or IT industry but may be utilized in other industries
  • The goal is to assess your technical knowledge, skills and abilities as they relate to role and company 
  • Be prepared to explain your reasoning and know different methods for problem solving that apply to the field of interest

• Big Interview: Use this self-paced tool to practice answers to common interview questions, complete virtual mock interviews, and receive AI feedback. You can also access content focusing on job search tips, resume writing, negotiating, and navigating the first 90 days in a new position. Log in with your UT EID. 
• LinkedIn Interview Prep: Utilize this resource to develop responses to common and industry specific questions and request feedback from your LinkedIn connections to improve your responses. You can also record video responses and receive AI feedback to practice for virtual or video interviews. 
• Interview Prep Appointments: A 30 minute appointment with a career coach that provides the opportunity to practice your responses to commonly asked behavioral questions and develop strategies for answering those questions. This can be helpful if you do not have an interview yet but are looking to work on your skills to prepare for future opportunities.
• Mock Interview Appointments: A simulated 60-minute mock interview provides the opportunity to practice your interviewing skills in a safe learning environment and receive feedback on areas of improvement. The career coach will conduct the mock interview based on the industry, company and/or job you are applying for. 

Some organizations such as banks, federal agencies and consulting firms are very traditional and require conservative attire. Organizations in other fields, such as the arts, entertainment, environmentalism and nonprofit management may be less traditional, however this does not mean that as an interviewee you should dress casually. If you are unsure of how to dress it's best to err on the side of caution and dress professionally for any interview. Consult with a career coach if you need interview attire guidance. If you are in need of professional attire, we recommend borrowing from a friend, shopping second hand, or visiting the UT Outpost, the free, on-campus career closet. You can select and keep up to two outfits, including shoes and accessories, per semester. 

Attire Recommendations: 

• The primary goal of dressing for your interview is to feel confident and look professional. If you feel uncomfortable in an outfit - even if it fits and others say you look great - don’t wear it.
• Find clothing that fits well and is comfortable to wear during potentially long interviews.
• Generally avoid jeans, casual footwear, crop tops, short skirts, low cut shirts, and any other casual attire. 
• Make sure your clothing is not wrinkled and remove lint or pet hair with a lint roller.
• Keep hair and nails clean and well maintained and makeup (if desired) subtle. 
• You can dress professionally and still incorporate your personality (ex. wear your favorite jewelry or add a pop of color or pattern when appropriate).
• Footwear should be clean and/or polished and comfortable- do not wear shoes you are not confident walking in, like high heels, brand new shoes that have not been broken in, etc. 

• Employer Research
  • Before any interview, be sure you understand the employer and their mission, values, and community involvement so you are prepared for any questions about the company during the interview process
  • Stay up to date on recent changes to leadership, new products or services, or anything in the news that relates to the employer
  • Identify your connection to the company (product/service, the mission/value statement, innovations) and be prepared to speak to that in the interview
  • If you can, identify salary ranges for the role or similar roles within the company
• Industry Research
  • In addition to the company/ employer you are interviewing with, do your research about the industry or field as a whole, including compeitiors, partners, national or global trends.
  • Identify salary ranges across the industry to inform your salary requests or negotiations
• Informational Interviews
  • Informational interviews are one way to conduct research of the employer and/or industry. Reach out to a current or former employee at the company or someone in a similar role in the industry and ask to have a brief conversation ahead of your interview. 
  • Ask questions about the realities of the role/company/industry, what skills are important to their work,  and anything that is important to you like company culture, work-life balance, etc. 

1. Analyze the position you are being interviewed for by looking at the job description; determine the skills required.

2. Evaluate and reflect upon your background to identify your skills and experiences related to the position.

3. Develop brief scenarios or “PARL stories” prior to your interview that demonstrate your teamwork, communication, leadership, etc. Each “story” should explain the problem, action, result, and the lesson learned (PARL).

4. Be specific in your stories. Giving generalizations will not help the employer understand and evaluate your behavior and skills. Employers want to know what you did do rather than what you would do in a given situation.

5. Be prepared to provide examples of occasions when results were different than expected. Your skill in handling failure as well as success will be probed.

6. Be prepared for questions asking for more detail than you’ve already given.

7. Identify three to five top strengths – attributes that set you apart from other candidates – and be sure to point them out during the interview.

8. Identify qualities relevant to the position and identify/prepare relevant and effective behavioral stories

9. Look up the position on sites like Glassdoor and Indeed for possible interview questions.

The PARL Method: An effective strategy for answering a behavioral interview question is the PARL method.

• Problem: Identify the problem or situation you encountered

• Action: Describe the action you took to address the problem or situation

• Result: Disclose the result of the action you took

• Learn: Discuss what you learned from the experience (can be helpful to include when discussing previous challenges)

The STAR Method is an equally effective acronym for answering behavioral interview questions.

• Situation: Set the scene and give the necessary details of your example.
• Task: Describe what your responsibility was in that situation.
• Action: Explain exactly what steps you took to address it.
• Result: Share what outcomes your actions achieved.

Questions To Consider Asking In An Interview

How is the organization structured in terms of divisions, departments, etc.?

Please describe your organization's culture.

Where are the majority of job/internship opportunities located?

What skills helped previous employees in this role succeed?

What advice do you share with new hires?

What kind of training program does the organization have? Is there a mentoring system?

Could you describe typical career paths employees have taken in your organization?

Could you please describe your management philosophy/style?

What makes your organization different from its competitors?

When do you expect to make a decision regarding the next step in the interview process?

What do you like best about working here?

Questions Most Frequently Asked By Interviewers

Introductory Questions

Tell me about yourself.

How did you find out about this position?

After learning about this opportunity, what made you take the next step and apply for the job?

How are you doing today? (pro-tip: be positive)

Questions About the Company

Why do you want to work with our company?

What do you know about us?

Who is our CEO?

What is our value proposition? -or- What does our brand mean to you?

Can you tell us about our products (or services)?

Questions About Work History

Walk me through your resume highlighting those things that are relevant to the position.

Tell me about two accomplishments that were very successful or you are the most proud of.

Describe a difficult work experience and how you handled it.

Questions About the Position

How does this position align with your short-term and long-term career goals?

Why do you think you will be a good fit for this position?

What interests you about this position?

How does your previous experience relate to this position?

Questions on Interpersonal Skills

Could you describe a time when you had a problem or conflict with a co-worker or supervisor?

Do you consider yourself a team player? Can you give me an example of when being a team player was important?

How would your boss and co-workers describe you?

Questions on Your Strengths and Weaknesses

What do you consider to be your greatest strength?

How do you deal with high-pressure situations?

What is one thing you would like to do better? What’s your plan for improvement?

Questions on Compensation

What are your salary requirements for this position?

How does your previous experience justify your salary requirements? (They may not ask this directly, but you should be prepared to demonstrate your value)

Concluding Questions

Do you have any questions for me?

Is there anything you want to add that we didn’t cover? (pro-tip: the answer is always yes)

Why should we hire you?

A SWOT Analysis is an excellent tool to help evaluate your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats associated with a specific opportunity of interest Completing a SWOT Analysis will help you write a targeted cover letter and prepare for an interview with an employer. 

SWOT Categories

Strengths: The responsibilities and skills you feel the most confident about using. These are internal attributes that will help you perform the tasks defined in the opportunity’s description.
What skills do you possess? • What do you perform well? • What do others say are your strengths?

Weaknesses: The responsibilities that you have no prior experience with or that concern you. These are internal attributes that may inhibit your ability to perform the required tasks.
What skills do you lack? • What areas do you need to improve? • What do others see as your weaknesses?

Opportunities: The responsibilities or company training programs and learning opportunities that can help you develop new skills or gain new experiences. These are external conditions that can assist with your professional development. For example, consider your motivation and reason for interest in the position.  
What opportunities are open to you? • What skills can you gain to become more competitive?

Threats: These are external conditions that could prevent you from acquiring the opportunity. For example, the position prefers a certain major or a candidate with fluency in a specific language.
What is your competition doing? • What disadvantages are you facing? • How are the qualifications in your field changing?

Creating a SWOT Analysis

Start your SWOT analysis by creating 4 boxes on a blank document: one for your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in relation to the opportunity of interest. Take the job posting you’re interested in and review the position’s description and essential responsibilities. Consider your ability to perform each task and to meet the employer’s requirements. Sample SWOT

Management Consulted 

Students have access to the full library of Management Consulted resources including: 600+ cases, 10,000+ case drills, 12 industry primers, and 9 video courses. To explore the tools available at Management Consulted, log in with your EID.

Relevant Skills 

• Problem solving
• Analytical thinking
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Initiative
• Cultural fit

Organizing Your Response

• Listen carefully to the question and take notes; listen for clues embedded in the question
• Develop your initial approach
• Consider alternatives and areas for a second approach
• Formulate your response
• Summarize your answer

Success Strategies

• Be confident and utilize effective communication and analytical skills
• Reduce your use of fillers (uhm, you know, like, etc.)
• Repeat question back to recruiter to ensure you consider all the information provided
• Take a few moments to think about your first approach
• Work through your answer
• Talk through your analysis
• Double-check your calculations (count the zeroes)
• Maintain a dialogue with the recruiter and listen for their feedback
• During the alternate approach, you may ask the interviewer for additional data
• Be receptive to employer feedback
• Keep your composure (especially if you miss a calculation)
• Do your best to not contradict yourself in your final analysis

Bain & Company
Boston Consulting Group
Deloitte
McKinsey
Victor Cheng

Sample Frameworks:

Hacking the Case Interview 
Management Consulted

Understanding Culture

So....do you really need to wear a black suit, carry a leather portfolio or hide your piercings? There is no absolute answer to this question; you will need to consider where it is you are interviewing and, in some cases, for which position you are interviewing. Some organizations such as banks, federal agencies and consulting firms are very traditional and require conservative attire. Organizations in other fields, such as the arts, entertainment, environmentalism and nonprofit management may be less traditional, however this does not necessarily mean that as an interviewee you can dress casually. If you are unaware of the culture of the organization, unsure of how to dress or concerned about making a good first-impression, it's best to err on the side of caution and dress professionally for any interview - even if you are the best dressed person in the building.

Business Professional

Jackets, Pants, Skirts & Suits


• Fabrics: wool, wool blends and polyester blends.

• Colors: black, navy blue, charcoal grey and dark brown.
• Guidelines: color and fabric should match; two and three-button suits are acceptable; button color should match fabric; avoid jackets with vents; should fit well (alter if needed).

Shirts & Blouses

• Fabrics: silk blends, cotton blends and polyester blends.

• Colors: white and light blue.

• Guidelines: shirts should have long sleeves; cuffs on sleeves are best; well-defined or high collars are best.

Footwear


• Fabrics: leather and leather imitation.

• Colors: black, dark brown and dark grey.

• Guidelines: match color/color family of suit; should be comfortable; should be cleaned and polished; 2.5-inch heels or shorter acceptable.

Business Casual

Jackets, Pants, Skirts & Suits


• Fabrics: linen, silk/silk blends, cotton blends and polyester blends.

• Colors: black, grey, tan, Earth tones, and solid colors.

• Guidelines: top-bottom colors may differ; soft collars acceptable; buttons may be light colors.
• Shirts, Sweaters, Polos and Blouses

• Fabrics: cotton, silk/silk blends and knits.
• Colors: black, dark shades, ivory and pastels (spring and summer).

• Guidelines: shirts and polos should be collared; shirts should be button-down; shirts should have long sleeves; short sleeves are ok for sweater and polo.

Footwear


• Fabrics: leather and leather imitation.

• Colors: black, brown, grey and tan.

• Guidelines: should be comfortable; should be cleaned and polished; 2.5-inch heels or shorter acceptable.

Thank you notes can generally be sent over email (it’s quicker this way and you are more easily able to include links to your online portfolio or LinkedIn account), but can also be sent in handwritten form.

Tips

• Just do it – and do it quickly (within 24 hours)
• Compose (and personalize) thank-you letters to each person you met
• Reinforce your interest and enthusiasm in the position and employer
• Highlight your key selling points and fit
• Address any weaknesses or misunderstandings
• Add content/points not addressed in interview
• Carefully proofread/edit and keep short and concise 

What to Avoid

• Sending continuous thank you emails after you’ve sent an initial one and a follow-up
• Sending the interviewers materials that don’t help your candidacy for the position
• Being too casual in your letter – including memes, emojis or internet acronyms
• Sending a thank you letter with misspellings or grammatical errors

Sample

Dear Director Lang:

Thank you for meeting with me this morning to discuss the Public Health Internship position with Texas Health Foundation. I enjoyed our conversation, and I am very excited about the possibility of joining your team.

I would also like to thank you for asking about where my passion for health comes from. In addition to my family’s story that I shared, I am interested in and concerned about the increasing obesity rate in Texas. Texas has the 10th highest adult obesity rate in the nation, and, unfortunately, many members of my hometown community are among those affected. I hope one day to help develop and implement educational programs in an effort to decrease this rate.

Having learned more about your internship program, my enthusiasm for this opportunity has increased and I am confident that I will help add value to your mission. As I briefly mentioned in the interview, as the fundraising intern for XYZ Foundation, I conducted grant-related research, helped manage the contact database, created reports for prospect and donor events and performed data analysis to help create future fundraising goals. Personally – and more importantly – I share the Texas Health Foundation’s interest in and passion for health.

Again, thank you for considering me for this exciting opportunity. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Alicia Sandoval

Salary Negotiation

• Do you know what a fair salary is for this particular position and company? Research typical entry-level salaries in your field. Resources like LinkedIn Salary, Indeed Salary Search and Glass Door can help.
• Is this a job you want? If so, in addition to salary, consider other benefits such as professional development opportunities, potential for advancement, vacation time, health insurance and retirement plans. If salary is not negotiable, perhaps other benefits are negotiable.
• Is this salary negotiable? Some employers have more flexibility to negotiate salary than others. Once a firm offer has been made, it doesn’t hurt to express your enthusiasm for the position but then ask if the salary is negotiable. If the employer says this is their final offer you’ll be able to make a decision knowing you asked.
• Is negotiating worth it? In many cases, yes. On average, negotiating can yield up to 7% over the original offer salary. Women tend to be less likely to attempt to negotiate for higher salaries than men.  Keep in mind that a few minutes of uncomfortable conversation may pay off significantly. Our coaches are happy to help you role play this conversation!
• Do you know how to manage the salary negotiation conversation? Chat with a career coach to discuss strategy and practice your approach in a way that maintains a positive relationship with your potential employer.  

3 quick tips as you navigate salary negotiation:

1. Don’t bring up salary. Let the employer raise the question of salary instead. If a potential employer brings up salary, state that you’re open to negotiation once a formal offer has been made.
2. If the employer persists, ask the typical salary range for this position. Let the employer name the first number. If you are forced to name a number first, give a salary range based on your research. If an employer says the offer is negotiable and you feel confident your skills and experience warrant doing so, politely ask for a number at the higher end of that range.
3. Get the offer in writing and take some time to think it over before responding. Regardless of whether or not you accept the offer, always stay professional and positive when you speak to a potential employer.

The Offer

When an offer is made, be sure that you understand the employer’s expectation for your response. The general rule is to provide one week for candidates to consider an offer. However, some employers may expect a response the next business day while others - including those conducting on-campus interviews at UT - may give you up to three weeks.

If you accept an offer, do so in good faith. This means that you have an honest intent to follow through with your acceptance and to work for the organization. Once you accept an offer, you should conclude your job search for other opportunities and cancel scheduled interviews as politely and professionally as possible. Ask a career coach for advice on how to do that.

If you decide to decline an offer, be sure to do so on professional terms. Provide your decision in writing before the date on which the employer expects a response. Your letter should be positive and grateful for the offer with a goal to keep a positive relationship for future opportunities. Ask a career coach for advice on writing a good letter.

These sample prompts can be used with the AI platform of your choice to aid your interview preparation. Adjust the language as needed to match your experiences. See more resources and suggestions for using AI on our Generative AI Tools page. 

• Generate 13 behavioral interview questions based on this job description. [insert job description] 

• Generate common interview questions for [insert job title] internships at [company name].

• Based on the company description in the job description, give me one question to ask about professional development opportunities and one question to ask on challenges this company may face? [insert job description] 

• Based on my resume and the job description, give an answer for a question that asks about my relevant experience? Insert resume with personal info removed]  [Insert job description] 

• Draft a short thank you note to follow up after an interview for this job description and reference _______ (specific part of your interview). Insert resume with personal info removed] [Insert job description] 

• Interviews are your opportunity to show your personality, work ethic, how you carry yourself, and your confidence in speaking to your skills. Interviewers want to see how you will fit into their team, adapt to their processes, and learn new skills, not hear perfectly crafted responses. 
• As an interviewee, this is your opportunity to learn more about the company/ organization, team dynamics, working environment and details about the role. Be sure to ask questions and be aware of what you are looking for in a role and lifestyle during the interview process. 
• It is typically acceptable to bring a notebook to interviews, both to reference notes during the interview and to note anything of value from the interview or responses to your questions. 
• During the interview, it is okay to take pauses to gather your thoughts or ask for clarify if you do not understand the question. Do your best to answer the question and be honest if you do not have an experience that directly matches what was asked. 
• Do not use generative AI tools to formulate full responses, especially during phone or video interviews. Recruiters can easily identify AI generated responses. 

Introductory Questions

Tell me about yourself.

How did you find out about this position?

After learning about this opportunity, what made you take the next step and apply for the job?

Questions About the Company

Why do you want to work with our company?

What do you know about us?

What does our brand mean to you?

Questions About Work History

Tell me about two professional accomplishments you are the most proud of.

Describe a difficult work experience and how you handled it.

Questions About the Position

How does this position align with your short-term and long-term career goals?

Why do you think you will be a good fit for this position?

What interests you about this position?

How does your previous experience relate to this position?

Questions on Interpersonal Skills

Could you describe a time when you had a problem or conflict with a co-worker or supervisor?

Do you consider yourself a team player? Can you give me an example of when being a team player was important?

How would your boss and co-workers describe you?

Questions on Your Strengths and Weaknesses

What do you consider to be your greatest strength?

How do you deal with high-pressure situations?

What is one thing you would like to do better? What’s your plan for improvement?

Questions on Compensation

What are your salary requirements for this position?

How does your previous experience justify your salary requirements? (They may not ask this directly, but you should be prepared to demonstrate your value)

Concluding Questions

Do you have any questions for me?

Is there anything you want to add that we didn’t cover? (pro-tip: the answer is always yes)

Why should we hire you?

When answering most behavioral interview questions, it can help to have a structure to follow, keeping your response specific and concise. 

The PARL Method: An effective strategy for answering a behavioral interview question is the PARL method.

• Problem: Identify the problem or situation you encountered

• Action: Describe the action you took to address the problem or situation

• Result: Disclose the result of the action you took

• Learn: Discuss what you learned from the experience (can be helpful to include when discussing previous challenges)

The STAR Method is an equally effective acronym for answering behavioral interview questions.

• Situation: Set the scene and give the necessary details of your example.
• Task: Describe what your responsibility was in that situation.
• Action: Explain exactly what steps you took to address it.
• Result: Share what outcomes your actions achieved.

It is important to ask questions of the interviewer or panel of interviewers when given the opportunity. If there are things that are important for you to have in a work environment, coworkers, manager, or organization, this is the time to ask questions and get clarity on what to expect in the role. Some questions you might ask include:

How is the organization structured in terms of divisions, departments, etc.?

Please describe your organization's culture.

What skills helped previous employees in this role succeed?

What advice do you share with new hires?

What kind of training program does the organization have? Is there a mentoring system?

Could you describe typical career paths employees have taken in your organization?

Could you please describe your management philosophy/style?

What makes your organization different from its competitors?

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role or that someone in this role might face?

What do you like best about working here? 

When do you expect to make a decision regarding the next step in the interview process?

• Interview timelines vary greatly based on industry, hiring needs, number of candidates, and other factors like availablity, hiring freezes, staff vacations or illness, holidays. Consulting is an example of an industry with a specific hiring timeline but other industries may have their own nuances.
• If you are not given a timeline for next steps at the end of or soon after your interview, ask the recruiter or hiring manager if they have an estimated timeline or any other information they can provide. 
• It is typically appropriate to follow up with the recruiter or hiring manager if you have not heard back after 5-7 business days after the interview if not given a timeline or 2-3 business days after the given time frame has passed. 

Thank you emails are your opportunity to thank your interviewers, reinforce your interest and enthusiasm in the position and employer, highlight your key selling points, and add anything not addressed in the interview. The email should be sent within 24 hours of your interview. Carefully proofread the email and keep it concise and professional.

Sample Thank You Email: 

Dear Director Lang:

Thank you for meeting with me this morning to discuss the Public Health Internship position with Texas Health Foundation. I enjoyed our conversation, and I am very excited about the possibility of joining your team.

I appreciate that you asked about where my passion for health comes from. In addition to my family’s story that I shared, I am interested in and concerned about the increasing obesity rate in Texas. Texas has the 10th highest adult obesity rate in the nation, and, unfortunately, many members of my hometown community are among those affected. I hope one day to help develop and implement educational programs in an effort to decrease this rate.

After learning more about your internship program, I am even more enthusiastic and confident that I will add value to your mission. I share the Texas Health Foundation’s interest in and passion for health. As the fundraising intern for XYZ Foundation, I conducted grant-related research, helped manage the contact database, created reports for prospect and donor events and performed data analysis to help create future fundraising goals. I hope to use these skills and experiences to advance the Texas Health Foundation's success. 

Thank you for considering me for this exciting opportunity, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Alicia Sandoval

• Research typical salaries for similar roles to learn what a fair salary range for the role is. Resources like LinkedIn Salary, Indeed Salary Search and Glassdoor can help.
• In addition to salary, consider other benefits such as continuing education stipend, professional development opportunities, potential for advancement, vacation time, health insurance, and retirement plans. If salary is not negotiable, perhaps other benefits are negotiable.
• Once a firm offer has been made, express your enthusiasm for the position and ask if the salary is negotiable. Negotiating can yield up to 7% over the original offer salary. Some employers have more flexibility to negotiate salary than others. 
• Don't know how to manage the salary negotiation conversation? Chat with a career coach to discuss strategy and practice your approach in a way that maintains a positive relationship with your potential employer.  

When an offer is made, be sure that you understand when an employer expects your response. The general rule is to provide one week for candidates to consider an offer. However, some employers may expect a response the next business day while others may give you up to three weeks.

If you accept an offer, do so in good faith. This means that you have an honest intent to follow through with your acceptance and to work for the organization. Once you accept an offer, you should conclude your job search for other opportunities and cancel scheduled interviews as politely and professionally as possible. 

If you decide to decline an offer, be sure to do so on professional terms. Provide your decision in writing before the date on which the employer expects a response. Your communication should be positive and grateful for the offer with a goal to keep a positive relationship for future opportunities.