Big Interview

Practice your interview skills online!

UMass students now have free access to Big Interview, a video training system that helps you to prepare more effectively for a job interview and build your confidence. 

Alumni have access as well, but will need to add an organization code when registering. To obtain the code, please email coecareers [at] umass [dot] edu

Big Interview Gives You:

  • Virtual mock interviews for all experience levels and dozens of industries
  • A database of thousands of interview questions -- and tips on how to answer them
  • The ability to record, rate, and share your interview answers
  • A step-by-step Answer Builder for crafting interview answers to behavioral questions
  • A comprehensive video training curriculum on all types and aspects of interviewing 

How To Register with Big Interview

  1. Go to umass.biginterview.com and click "Register"
  2. Enter your umass.edu email address, name & password, and click “Create My Account”
  3. Once you receive a confirmation email, you can go back to Big Interview and log in  

Important!  Never Pay for Interview Help

Big Interview is free for UMass students.  However, there is a link under “My Tools” that will send you to a pay site.  UMass students should not pay for interview help.  Instead, make an appointment for free interview help with the College of Engineering Career Center.

Helpful Tips:

How To Record Yourself Answering Questions

  1. Confirm that your browser is set to allow access to your computer’s camera and microphone.  In Chrome (recommended), this can be found at the upper right.
  2. Log in to https://umass.biginterview.com/  
  3. Select “Practice > Practice Interviews” from the top menu, then select “General”
  4. Choose a question category and a difficulty level. “Challenging” and “Tough” interviewers will ask the same questions as a “Standard” interviewer, but they may ask them in  a vague way, or they may scowl instead of smile!
  5. Press “Play” on the interviewer’s window to hear the question.
  6. Click “Tips” to learn why the question is asked and what is sought in your response.
  7. When ready, press “Record” on your window and briefly record your answer.  To make good “eye contact” look at the camera on your computer, or the LED light next to it.
  8. Play your answer back.  Score yourself with stars.
  9. Re-record your answer, or click “Save” if satisfied.
  10. Click “Next Question” to proceed.

Find the Best Interview Questions for Your Scenario

  • Big Interview’s huge bank of questions is organized into specialized categories
  • Select “Practice>Practice Interviews” from the top menu, and view options on the left
  • Select “By Industry” to choose an industry that best aligns with either your major or the industry you are interviewing to join.  Question categories include Biotech, Energy, Healthcare, Human Resources, Insurance, Marketing, Sales, and Technology
  • Select “By Competency” for interview questions focused on desired skillsets such as Analytical Skills, Communication, Initiative, Logic, Organizational Skills, or People Skills
  • Select “Admissions” for interview questions likely to be asked when applying to graduate school, medical school, or another professional program 

Browse the Self-Service Video Lessons

  • From the top menu, select “Learn,” then “Fast Track” to see the 16 most watched video tutorials.  The videos contain helpful graphics, but to suit multiple learning styles you have the option to click “Transcript” (above the videos) & read the information as text.
  • Select “Learn,” then “Mastery Track” to access an index of additional video topics, including phone and video interviews, researching the employer, what to wear, top 10 mistakes, questions you should be asking them, and how to deal with nervousness. 

Prepare Yourself With Stories of Your Success

  • Interviewers want to hear examples of a time when you did something that demonstrates your knowledge, abilities, judgment, or other qualities wanted for the job.  
  • Select “Practice>Answer Builder” from the top menu.  Follow their S.T.A.R. method (Situation, Task, Action, Results) to outline several brief stories that demonstrate your competencies as they apply to the position description.
  • Memorization is best.  But, if necessary, you can bring key word notes to the interview to help you recall the appropriate prepared story when responding to questions.  For instance, you might use the S.T.A.R. outline to tell a “teamwork” story, a “had to change methods” story, a “clear communication” story, a “failure and recovery” story, etc.