Interviews can seem scary. Walking into an unfamiliar office to persuade a stranger to give you a job is no easy feat.
But, even if public speaking gives you nightmares, here are a few tips to help you stride confidently into any interview, equipped to demonstrate what an asset you would be to the organization.
1. Plan a professional outfit:
While it’s fun to try new trends, there’s a time and a place for everything.
“Dress the part,” says Kayla Riley, a senior at the University of Maine. “This should go without saying, but you need to dress professionally to make a strong impression. Leave the miniskirt at home.”
Treat a job interview like dinner with a boyfriend’s ultra-conservative grandparents, no matter how casual the company is.
Avoid bright nail polish, flashy jewelry and clothing that shows off any kind of cleavage: breasts, toes or butt. Pull your hair back or blow-dry it and wear it down and wear a simple outfit—try a black pencil skirt and a modest blouse with closed-toe shoes.
It’ll not only impress your interviewer, but will also focus his or her attention on what you’re saying rather than judging your style.
2. Research the company beforehand:
Simply reading the company’s website will help to give you a better understanding of what their mission is and what they’re hoping to accomplish.
Although you may have already done this when you wrote a cover letter, refreshing your memory can’t hurt. “When researching a company my two stops are 1. The company website (specifically read over the MISSION STATEMENT, CLIENT LIST, and ABOUT US sections) 2. Google News (You want to be aware of any recent news breaks),” Lauren Berger, founder of Intern Queen says.
Also, if you, or anyone you remotely know, have the contact information for someone in the organization, get in touch with them.
Ask questions that would help to master the interview, like what that company is looking for in its new hires.
3. Prepare questions for the company:
Towards the end of the interview, the job candidate will turn into the interviewer for a few minutes.
Having specific questions to ask the interviewer, such as “What’s one thing you wish your interns knew before they started the job?” or “Why did you get involved in this company?” demonstrates you’ve spent the time to learn about the company and are sincerely interested in the job.
Berger’s go-to question in interviews is, “Can you describe a typical day as an intern (or employee if it’s a job interview) at your company?”
While you’re speaking, remember to let your personality shine. Even though the interview is formal, it’s still a conversation so don’t make the same rookie mistake Tufts University sophomore Simmone did in her first interview. “I never looked up, at the end of the interview they told me point blank that I would not be getting the job because of failure to make eye contact and wished me luck for the future,” Simmone says. Yikes.
For more steps, check out the complete article at HerCampus.com.
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
