Q: I am preparing for interviews for my summer internship, and I was wondering how I can build up my confidence prior to the interview. Do you have any “go-to” tips on how to act on the phone, versus in person (since some of my interviews will be on the phone?
Yes! And by the way, here are two reasons to LOVE the phone interview:
- You get to have notes in front of you – your resume, info you’ve gathered about the organization, a list of experiences and skills you want to communicate, and questions for the interviewer.
- You get to wear comfy clothes. Although, one Campus Cutie told me that he performs better if he still dresses in interview attire. Caveat: interview clothes are a must for a video interview!
The down side? You don’t get the non-verbal cues that tell you how your message is being received. Is your interviewer rolling her eyes or nodding in agreement? All the more reason to build up your confidence before the phone rings…
Get Ready
Practice.
I can’t stress this enough. There is an art and a strategy to interviewing well, and most of us aren’t born with it. One Collegiette told me that she would prefer to bomb important interviews and receive no offers, than to practice interviewing and receive critical feedback! Don’t be that girl. Get honest and supportive commentary about what you’re doing right, in addition to what (and how) you can improve. Schedule your mock interview with the OPCD by calling 758.5902. I guarantee it’ll be one of the best things you’ve ever done.
Get the endorphins flowing.
What do you do when you want to feel energized, yet relaxed? Dance to Kelly Clarkson power tunes (my personal favorite), run the quad, or meditate in your happy place? Do it. It’ll clear your head and calm the nerves.
Go
Stand up…throughout the interview, if possible. Doing so will help you project energy and reduces the risk of sounding too casual over the phone.
Smile…a lot. Positivity and enthusiasm will show in your voice, which is crucial because they can’t see you either.
Interview in a quiet place. Roommates and friends gotta go. Put out the DO NOT DISTURB sign. If necessary, you can reserve a quiet room for your interview, in the Office of Personal and Career Development.
Use a landline phone and temporarily disable call waiting. Landlines are also available in the OPCD.
Send a thank you email or letter. Make a point you forgot to make, reiterate the reasons you’re a good fit for the internship, acknowledge the recruiter taking time to talk with you. Doing so will mark you as the professional you are.
Carolyn Couch
A Certified Professional Coach and a National Certified Career Counselor, Carolyn Couch is Associate Director for Career Education and Counseling at Wake Forest University. She has been providing comprehensive career coaching for Collegiettes and Campus Cuties for over 15 years. She is a past columnist for the USAToday Online Career Center and a former board member of Dress for Success (Winston Salem NC affiliate), an international organization promoting economic independence of disadvantaged women.
Send your career questions to her at couchca@wfu.edu.