Tis the season for interviews and internships. We’re all putting on our power suits and trying to pave our way to success. Before we can earn those big bucks (or be paid in experience) we have to get through the dreaded interview process. For collegiettes that haven’t had a professional interview it can seem terrifying, but here are some tips to ease your stress and nail that interview.
Do your research!
A good interview starts before you enter the office. The best way to impress the interviewer is to know your stuff. Look up the company you’re applying with beforehand, find out what their mission is, what values they have, etc. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to come with some questions prepared for the interviewer. Taking this extra step can show how much you care about this opportunity.
Make sure your resume is up-to-date.
I’m sure the fact that you were captain of your high school’s volleyball team was really important, but now that you’re looking for a grown-up job you might consider deleting that from your resume. If you know a lot about the position you are interviewing for you can edit your resume to reflect where you currently stand professionally and personally.
Dress to impress.
Can we all agree that figuring out what to wear for an interview might be the most stressful part of the process? I would suggest nothing too revealing, for starters. Wear something that makes you feel confident, comfortable and reflects your personality, and when in doubt throw a blazer on.
Think about your body language.
A good handshake goes a long way. Also, sitting up straight and smiling makes you look attentive and engaged in the conversation. Maintain good eye-contact, stay calm and collected and know that you’re rocking it!
Learn to expand your experiences.
One of the most important skills you can learn is how to expand your previous experience. Sounds confusing? Here’s an example: I’m a writer for Her Campus, but through my experience I’ve learned about marketing and social media skills. See? Not too bad. It might help to write a list of past experiences and what skills you learned. This will make you seem engaged in your experiences as well as being an avid learner.
Avoid negative statements.
Learn how to make a negative statement seem positive! This makes you sound more confident in your capabilities and qualities. Are you a very shy person? Then say that you like to reflect. If you’re disorganized, maybe that also means that you’re creative. It might be a little tricky at first, but so many interviewers ask about strengths and weaknesses so it’s important to be able to identify your own.
Send a thank you note.
This is the best way to make a final, lasting impression. No matter how well the interview went, send a thank you note. Handwritten is best but an email will work too. This shows the interviewer that you care about this position and appreciate them taking their time to meet you. Don’t forget to ask for their business card or contact information!
Hopefully these tips will help you nail your next interview. Happy job hunting!