At some point or another, you will find yourself in an inevitably uncomfortable job interview. Whether you are interviewing for a volunteer position, internship, part-time job or graduate program, it is always important to be well-prepared. Here are a few tips to get you through the process:
1. Make sure your suit fits you.
Before the day of the interview. If you haven’t worn it since Uncle Bernie’s third wedding, you might need to have it resized.
2. Research the company.
Unfortunately, the whole “flattery will get you nowhere” idea is a complete and total lie. Seriously. I don’t know who coined the phrase, but he or she clearly didn’t have a whole lot of experience with job interviews. Make sure you know some basic facts about the company so you can answer the “Why do you want to work here?” question intelligently. Now, you obviously don’t want to overdo it. For example, I wouldn’t recommend saying that the company’s innovative financial model has inspired you and completely changed your life. That’s a little much.
3. Be prepared to answer some tough questions.
You might be asked why you chose a specific major, what you are looking for in a future career or how you can contribute to the company. Practice your answers so you won’t be left staring at the interviewer with a blank look on your face while you begin to have heart palpitations.
4. Bring extra copies of your resume.
To remind your future employer of your flawless academic record and your selfless contribution to society at large.
5. Arrive early.
That means if your interview is at 9:00 a.m., you might have to set your alarm for the ungodly hour of 7:30 a.m. But it’s better to show up a few minutes early looking composed than burst through the door disheveled and out of breath at 8:59 and 59 seconds.
6. When the interviewer says, “Tell me about yourself,”...
Don’t launch into a 10-minute monologue of your favorite TV shows, the camp you went to when you were eight, the results of your last physical exam, your current relationship status, or how your hidden talent is burping the alphabet backwards. Discuss your relevant experiences in a way that showcases your skills and demonstrates how you would be an asset to the company.
7. Stay positive.
Even if you didn’t enjoy one of your prior jobs, try to put a positive spin on it. Sure, you may have weighed rat hairs for six weeks straight during the summer, but wasn’t that a great opportunity to learn about the complexity of the research process while also honing your fine motor skills? See what I did there?
8. If you don’t know an answer to a question...
It’s okay to ask for some time to think it over. For example, if your interviewer asks what type of mollusk you would be, it’s completely acceptable to mull over the fact that yes, there are different types of mollusks, and no, you have no idea what type you would be.
9. After the interview is over...
Don’t forget to send a thank you note to your interviewer. I know, I know. It sounds like some kind of cruel joke, thanking someone when you what you really want to say is:
Dear Mr. Johnson,
Thank you so much for taking the time to interrogate interview me about my qualifications regarding the research assistant position. It was truly a pleasure to be questioned for 45 minutes about all of my major life choices meet you. I never realized that my leadership skills were so lacking (given that I could not think of a single example of how I am a leader), so I have you to thank for lowering my self-esteem. I know that my great leadership skills will make me an asset to your company.
Working with you would be an invaluable opportunity that I really need for my resume so I can get the job I actually want. If you need any additional information, please don’t contact me at 540-689-3489.
Insincerely,
Jessica Smith
But seriously. Even if the interview went horribly, sending a thank you note is a surefire way to impress your potential employer.
10. Maintain perspective.
Even if you aren’t offered the position (which I’m sure won’t happen after you read these handy tips), there are plenty of other opportunities available. After all, this is only the beginning--you have a whole lifetime of work ahead of you! Doesn’t that cheer you right up?
