Ever wondered what employers are looking for during an interview? I had the pleasure of interviewing the head of Human Resources at a Target in San Jose, California, Nicole Jean Narlesky. She manages well over two hundred employees, and has conducted several hundred interviews. She was happy to share with Her Campus what she expects in an interview from potential employees.
Be yourself
“The number one thing is to be yourself, but be your best self. If you aren’t yourself and are hired as that person, you can’t be sure that you’re a good fit for the company. For example, do not lie and say you speak fluent Spanish if you only took three years of it in high school. You may get hired for reasons that aren’t actually legitimate, and that can lead to some trouble in the future. Instead, be honest and promote the qualities that you do have to the fullest degree.
First impressions are pivotal
“Preparation is extremely important. You should research the company. Watch Youtube videos or look online for interview questions so that you can practice. Get plenty of rest so you can exude energy. Always dress professional for the job. If it is an entry level job where the interview appears like it will be low-key, dress business casual. No jeans, sandals or sneakers.”
Bring a resume
“Bring a resume, even if you have had very little work experience. If you don’t have much work experience, you can include where you’ve volunteered and as well as skill sets that you have. Review your resume before the interview so that you know exactly what is on there because the interviewer may ask questions regarding information about it.”
Show up 5-10 minutes early
“There is no reason to show up half an hour early, but make it a point to be at least a few minutes early. That way, you have time to sit down and breathe instead of rushing in last minute while worrying about if you’ve already blown it by being late.”
Show Interest in the Job
“Usually after the interview, the interviewer will end with asking you if you have any questions about the job. You should always ask questions in order to show your interest in the company and to keep the interviewer engaged. Even if you don’t have any burning questions, you can ask about their involvement in the community, company philosophy, what the interviewer’s favorite part of working there is, etc.”
Be friendly
“The more you open up and talk, the better you can steer the conversation and show off your talents. If you answer with one word answers, they will have more opportunities to ask you difficult questions that you aren’t prepared for. Also, interviewers often take a rather holistic approach when choosing amongst candidates; the interviewer goes off of a general impression about you and doesn’t particularly nit-pick your answers. Usually, a likeable person who can work well with others is high on their list of must-haves for an employee. You can be the most qualified person in the world, but if you have a personality that is off-putting or unlikeable, you may not be hired.”
So there you have it, several tips and tricks to help you rock your next interview. Remember, walk in and out of that interview with your head held high and a smile on your face. Good luck!