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Interview Preparation

Preparation

While you prepare for your IPC interview, please take some time to review this guide to help you feel confident, prepared, and ready to put your best foot forward. The guide will walk you through what to expect during the interview, key areas to prepare for, and tips for effectively communicating your experiences, skills, and interest in Illinois Political Consulting.

We encourage you to review the guide carefully before your interview and use it as a resource throughout your preparation. Remember that the interview is not only an opportunity for us to learn more about you, but also a chance for you to demonstrate your enthusiasm for IPC, your ability to work with others, and what you hope to contribute to the organization.

Behavioral

The behavioral interview process consists of questions designed to evaluate your skills, experiences, problem-solving abilities, and thought processes in different situations. These questions typically ask you to reflect on past experiences and explain how you handled specific challenges, worked with others, made decisions, or demonstrated important skills.

Example Questions

  • Tell me about the time you took the lead on a project or initiative. What did you do, and what was the outcome?
  • Describe a time you worked with someone who had a different perspective or approach. How did you handle it?
  • Tell me about a time when you faced an unexpected challenge. How did you approach the problem and find a solution?
  • Tell me about a time when your original plan did not work. How did you adapt?
  • Describe a time when you received difficult feedback. How did you respond, and what did you learn from the experience?
  • Tell me about a time you used research, data, or information to make a decision or recommendation.
  • What is your personal learning style? Describe the approaches that help you understand new concepts and apply what you have learned.

Case Study

The case study is designed to walk you through a mini project like the type of work you may encounter throughout the semester. During the case study, you will analyze the problem presented, develop a strategic approach and potential solution, and explain your reasoning to your interviewer.

You will receive the case study during your interview, so you will not be expected to prepare a specific answer in advance. Instead, focus on practicing how to approach unfamiliar problems, organize your thoughts, develop a strategy, and clearly communicate your recommendations.

To help you prepare, this sheet includes practice cases that you can work through before your interview. You can also find additional practice cases on our website.

Case Study Activity 1

Increasing Voter Turnout in a Mayoral Campaign

Scenario

A candidate is running for mayor in a mid-sized city. The candidate has strong policy ideas but struggles with low name recognition. Recent polling shows:

  • Only 35% of voters recognize the candidate's name
  • Young voters (18–29) have the lowest turnout in the city
  • The opponent has a strong traditional campaign with TV ads and mailers

The campaign team wants to increase voter engagement and turnout, especially among younger voters. Political consultants have been hired to develop a strategy to increase visibility and motivate people to vote.

Activity Questions

  • Identifying the Problem: What are the main challenges facing the campaign? Why might young voters have low turnout in local elections?
  • Strategy Development: What strategies could consultants use to increase the candidate's visibility? Should the campaign focus more on digital outreach or traditional media? Why?
  • Voter Engagement: What kinds of messages might resonate with younger voters? What platforms would be most effective for reaching them?
  • Campaign Implementation: What events or activities could increase voter participation? How could the campaign partner with community organizations or universities?
  • Measuring Success: What metrics should consultants track to evaluate whether the strategy is working?

Case Study Activity 2

Crisis Management in a Congressional Campaign

Scenario

A congressional candidate running for reelection faces a major campaign crisis. Two months before the election, a news article resurfaces about a controversial business decision the candidate made years ago. The story spreads quickly:

  • The opponent begins attacking the candidate in ads
  • Social media discussion increases rapidly
  • Local media outlets request interviews
  • Polling shows the candidate's approval rating dropping by 8%

The campaign hires political consultants to develop a crisis response strategy.

Activity Questions

  • Understanding the Crisis: What risks does this controversy pose to the campaign? How could misinformation spread during a campaign crisis?
  • Immediate Response: Should the candidate respond immediately or wait? What should the candidate say in their first public response?
  • Media Strategy: How should the campaign handle interviews with reporters? What role should social media play in responding to the controversy?
  • Rebuilding Public Trust: What steps could the campaign take to rebuild credibility with voters? Should the campaign shift focus to policy issues or directly address the controversy?
  • Long-Term Strategy: How can consultants prevent similar crises in future campaigns?

Good luck with your interview process. We can't wait to see you in the interview.