Nervous glances.
Sweaty palms.
Ding. You view a last minute good luck text from a friend.
Click.
The door opens.
You’re up, and the dreaded interview is here.
Whether it’s for a scholarship, an internship position, or a job, interviewing is nerve-wracking. Your resume may be stellar, and your qualifications may be intact, but an interview, whether it’s skype, recorded, by phone, or in-person will oftentimes determine whether you get the position of your dreams. Luckily, HerCampus is here to give you a few tips to help you master that interview every time.
1. Update Your Resume
A resume is oftentimes the first impression an interviewer will have of you. Since human resource departments see hundreds upon hundreds of resumes, making sure your resume is one page, error-free, and easy-to-read is imperative, because it presents a clean, put-together candidate. There are many templates online to put together the perfect resume, and DU Career Services offers free resume-reviewing. There is no one “right way” for a resume to look so be sure to put together a resume format that is professional, but also captures your personality—maybe a bolded last name or some unique bullet points can make it more your own. Even piecing together two different templates helps to make your resume stand out and shows you didn’t just click the first “resume template” you googled.
2. Research the Company
The age-old saying, Do your homework, rings true here. Researching companies before you schedule interviews is necessary so you are able to highlight the companies that would be a good match for you. But after the initial search, it’s important to go back and do more in-depth research. It not only looks impressive to interviewers that you know and understand their company, but it can help bring your interview answers from good to great. Being able tie in a cohesive answer, in your style, and that aligns with the company’s vision will give you a competitive, personal edge that your resume alone can’t showcase.
3. Have a go-to Interview Outfit
An interview outfit doesn’t have to be expensive, it just has to be tidy. H&M and Forever 21 often have inexpensive yet nice quality blazers, and my personal favorite is hitting up Loft sales to find some discounted quality pieces. If you can afford to get your suit dry-cleaned, do it. Looking professional and presentable will help you feel more confident, as well as show interviewers that you are serious about the job. Even though business professional can feel a bit formal, it is important that you are comfortable in what you are wearing. Don’t wear heels if you are worried about falling, and don’t feel like you have to put on a ton of makeup if that’s not your style. Once again, feeling comfortable, yet presentable is key.
4. Arrive Early
Give yourself time to get stuck in traffic, and to walk into the wrong building. Make sure you have time to go to the bathroom, because you’re nervous. Put your phone on airplane mode so it doesn’t ring. If it does look like you will be late due to a situation that is out of your control, call the office or company and let them know ahead of time. But the last thing you want to be is rushed and late due to the fact you decide to sleep in an extra fifteen minutes.
5. Practice Your Handshake
A resume may be the first written impression, but a handshake is the first physical impression. A strong handshake portrays confidence—and no one likes shaking a “dead fish” of a handshake. If you are feeling advanced, a two-hand handshake, with your second hand lightly gripping their forearm, is the ultimate power move.
6. Think Before You Answer
When you’re answering interview questions, the seconds seem to stretch into minutes, especially when you’re silent, trying to come up with an answer. But taking those extra seconds allows you to forget your rapidly-beating heart and better formulate a cohesive, thought-out answer. We often babble when we’re nervous, so taking that time to pause before you speak will make you seem like a critical-thinker.
7. Ask Questions.
After an interviewer is finished asking questions, they will ask, “Do you have any questions for me?” The answer is always yes. This is where your in-depth research can come in handy: ask about something you saw on their website or in a brochure. I, personally, like to ask industry questions as well. As a hospitality major, I’ll often ask hotel companies how they are adjusting with companies such as AirBnb coming into play, or how they are integrating the latest technology advancements in their properties. Asking industry questions shows you not only know their company but the larger picture as well. And besides, it’s not every day you get to speak to an expert in the industry—you may learn something, too!
8. Send a Follow-Up Thank You Note
Usually, interviewers will give you their business card, but if they don’t, ask for it. Their business card will not only have their email address but the physical address of their company as well. (A quick google search will work too.) Sending them a thank-you email within 24 hours will keep you on their minds. If you can, sending a physical thank-you note in our digital-minded world will be sure to be a stand out from the crowd.
9. Wait, Patiently
This may be the hardest part of all. But the last thing you want to do is annoy employers with numerous emails asking about the status of the position. They will most likely tell you when to expect an answer, but if they don’t, sending one follow-up email after two weeks is absolutely okay. Their answer may be to keep waiting, but at least it is an answer!
10. Be Courteous, No Matter the Outcome
Being rejected for a position or a scholarship you really wanted can be devastating. But no matter your industry, you don’t want to burn bridges early on in your career (or at all). Perhaps they didn’t accept you because you’re a freshman and they’re looking for a junior. Or they would like you to have a little more experience. Being rejected doesn’t mean you won’t one day work for their company, another door may open sooner than you think. If you do interview with them in the future, they will remember how you handled the rejection with maturity and grace, and that will only work in your favor!
The interview season is upon us, with many companies hiring for the summer, or seniors for post-graduation positions. Take these tips with you, and I wish you success on your next interview endeavors!