With the first semester coming to a close, it is time to think about starting careers or finding summer jobs. After going to multiple job interviews, and not always getting the job, and having older siblings who have full-time jobs in their desired fields, I have found a few tips about interviewing. The three tips are not always shared, often kept a secret between close friends and family. However, they are incredibly helpful in nailing the interview as well as knowing what you should do if it is your first one!
- Be Honest!!
When answering questions by a possible employer, be as honest as possible. If they ask you what your biggest weakness is, don’t try to turn it into a positive or say something like “I’m too much of a perfectionist!” The employer will see this as a cop-out. If you answer honestly and say something like “I struggle with working in groups because I like having control, but it is something I am working on”, they will see you as someone who not only acknowledges their shortcomings but is aware enough to also work on them to be a better employee. Employers will respect the interviewee who can identify their real weaknesses more than the interviewee who tried to seem perfect.
- Talk About Why the Job Is Lucky To Have You – Not Why You Are Lucky To Have The Job
Your interviewer already knows you need the job. Whether you need the money, to break into that field, to leave a bad job, or for other reasons, they already know you would be lucky to have that job. What they don’t know, and should learn, is why the job is lucky to have you. Talk about what you bring to the table, things that other candidates might not be able to bring. This could be past experiences, fresh eyes, your work ethic, and more. At the end of the day, you are both seeing if it’s the right fit and both parties will get something out of you being hired.
- Send a Thank You Email
If you receive a gift, you send a thank you letter. Interviews are the same way! Most interviewers will not send a quick thank you email to the person who interviewed them. An easy way to stand out against the other applicants is to thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to interview. Bonus points for asking a question or two in the email! This secret hack has helped me get two different jobs – both of which had a lot of candidates who were arguably more qualified than I was.