Mina Edwards
One of the most daunting parts of college is finding that perfect internship that will help set the foundation for your career and get your foot in the door of the workforce. Whether you’re an engineering student or a marketing student, internships are key. For most of us college students, professional experience is limited to the part-time jobs we have held during high school or college. This can make that first interview seem extra scary. In this article, I have listed the five most important steps to take before and during the interview process to make sure that you are as prepared as possible!
No. One: Mindset
Perhaps the most important thing to remember about interviewing is that you are interviewing THEM just as much as they are interviewing YOU. It is easy to get lost in the pressure of feeling like an interview is just a company representative asking a series of questions and carefully judging every single response (which, to an extent, it is). However, an interview is really just a conversation and should be mutually beneficial. As the candidate, you should be asking questions and making sure that the position and company that you are interviewing for fit what you are looking for. The position should match the type of work you are seeking. Framing the interview as a mutually beneficial conversation makes the interview flow better. This makes it easier to relax and be less rigid during the process and interview itself.
No. Two: Look the Part
Dress the part!! First impressions are everything, and understanding what appropriate professional attire is can be a game-changer. The very first impression that the interviewer will get, besides your application, is when you walk into the room. Making a professional impression can set the tone for the entire interview. While the interview might be labeled “business casual”, showing up in slacks with a blazer for a more polished look can never hurt. Not only is looking professional important for impressions, but looking the part can help you feel the part. Putting on something and getting ready in a manner that makes you feel confident can make a huge difference in how you feel going into the interview. If a suit and heels make you feel more powerful and confident, then own that and walk into the interview feeling and looking your best.
No. Three: Presentation + Preparedness
Being properly prepared is crucial to the success of an interview. There are certain things that you can bring with you or prepare beforehand to not only make sure that you have all of the necessary resources but also to make sure that the people who are interviewing you can tell that you put in time and effort:
- A notebook- to write down contact information or to jot down notes.
- Extra resumes- always bring extra copies to hand out. For bonus points, put your extra copies into individual report covers for a more sophisticated Presentation.
- An appropriate bag- make sure that the bag you carry your things in matches the nature of the interview and is not the same backpack that you wear on campus every day.
- Folders- they might give you business cards or pamphlets, and it is important to have a place to properly put them so that they don’t get lost.
No. Four: STAR Method
The worst questions to have to answer in any interview are the “Tell me about a time where…”. It is impossible to think of every possible scenario that they might ask about beforehand and have the perfect answer in the back of your mind. The STAR framework is as follows:
- Situation- What was the situation?
- Task- What was your task?
- Action- How did you take action?
- Result- What were the results/what did you learn?
This framework helps you address every point of the situation that you might be explaining to the interviewer and makes these questions a walk in the park.
No. Five: Research
Lastly, research the company. As silly as it may seem, stalk that company with the same level of intensity that you would be internet stalking your ex-boyfriend. Know their mission statement, know what exactly they do, what service they provide, know what recent developments they have made, etc. One good place to stalk is their company’s LinkedIn page and their company’s website. These can reveal a great deal about their company culture. Knowing this information going into the interview will not only impress the interviewer, but it will make them feel like you are passionate and thorough about the opportunity that you are seeking out.