For many people, the idea of a first internship or job can be intimidating and something they may feel they have no experience to take on. However, with the proper tools, preparation, and attitude, interviews can be a breeze and you can leave possible employers with a great impression. This article covers some of the most important tricks for heading into an interview.
These tips should put your mind at ease and help you feel like you can land any job. One of the most important things to remember when entering an interview is to keep composed. It is important to show the interviewer that you are not intimidated and that you feel prepared for any question. By broadcasting confidence through your actions and demeanor, you are able to show the interviewer that you can be calm under pressure and that you are comfortable having a conversation with someone new.
Along with this cool and collected attitude and demeanor, it is also important to dress the part for the interview and make a good first impression on the person with whom you are meeting. When preparing for an interview, choosing a business casual outfit is as important of a step as any other type of preparation. If you give off the sense that you do not care about the interview or that you are not put together by appearing disheveled, this will immediately turn off the interviewer and give them the wrong impression of you.
In addition, you should show up to an interview feeling well rehearsed and researched. The first step after getting an interview is to research the company and the interviewer(s). Going into an interview knowing a number of facts or accomplishments of the company not only gives you a leg up with the interview questions but also shows that you care enough about the position to put time into research about the company before even getting the job. It will be easier to have a conversation with the interviewer and possibly answer more of their questions in detail. Once all of the research is completed, it is also important to rehearse going through practice interview questions to perfect possible answers and word choices. This practice will give you more confidence going into the interview and make it appear more natural when you are answering the questions during the interview.
The Career Center offers a number of services to help you successfully prepare for an interview, including opportunities to meet with career counselors to go through a mock interview or to discuss fears that you may have. In addition, with many interviews being on Zoom because of COVID-19, the Career Center offers quiet areas where you can take these Zoom interviews with a professional background to give an even better impression.