Recent Posts
Accomplish December 5, 2018
Almost feels like preparing for an interrogation.
You’re new to this interviewing thing. That’s okay! It’s stressful, but with each meeting, it gets easier. And, of course, it helps to be properly prepared. Here are ENTITY’s tips to nail your first job interview.
Always dress to impress! I like to lay out my clothes the day before, so I know what I’m going to wear.
For an interview, it’s always safe to dress business casual— emphasis on business. I wear slacks, a button-down shirt, a blazer and nice flats. You can always go with a professional dress or skirt, if that’s more your style. Suits are also always good.
Don’t get too formal, though! Anything that can be worn to a prom or gala is too over-the-top.
Before meeting with a representative for a company, all candidates should look at the company’s website, social media, recent news and previous accomplishments. Nobody hires candidates that know nothing about their business.
You should also prepare to explain why you match their company’s mission. If candidates want to work somewhere, they’re expected to know why they want to work there. Explain why you care!
In the days leading up to your interview, outline exactly what you would do if you were hired. Find out the company’s strengths and weaknesses. Determine what they want from you and how you can provide. You don’t have to have all the answers, but coming up with a plan will show your potential employers how hard you work and what you bring to the table.
You might not have the chance to talk about your plan in the interview, but it’s always good to prepare. And then if they catch you with some version of the question, “What role do you think you will play at our company?,” you won’t flub the answer.
Not all interviewers ask to see a copy of your resume, cover letter or portfolio, but you always need them on hand. If they ask for materials and you can’t provide, that’s a huge con on your part.
In fact, it’s always good to bring copies in case there are multiple interviewers. Don’t give them a reason to say “no!”
While there’s no way to know exactly what an interviewer will ask, a few questions are recycled pretty frequently in interviews. These include, but aren’t limited to:
“What would you like to get out of your experience here?”
“What can you bring to the table?”
“Can you tell me a little about yourself?”
Make sure you look through a list of common interview questions and answer each one. That way, if they come up, you’re not caught off-guard.
In every interview I’ve been to, the meeting ended with the “Question Question.” Also known as: “Do you have any questions?”
This is either a huge opportunity or a big mishap. They’re generously giving you the chance to take hold of the conversation. You can use it to mention something that hasn’t come up, learn more about the company or make a stronger connection.
But if you don’t have anything else to say, you could turn a positive impression sour.
Potential employers want to hear questions. They want to see a candidate’s thought process, and they want to know their impression of the company. By asking questions, candidates show that they have a mind of their own. Plus, it’s another chance to show off their research.
Most questions come up naturally while you’re researching. As I prepared for my ENTITY interview, I noticed that my writing style aligned better with academic essays than internet articles. So I asked them about writing style! It was something I genuinely wondered about and wanted to know.
Form your questions in the same way. Jot down ideas or thoughts that honestly caught your eye. If you “fake” questions that seem too disingenuous or shallow, your potential employers will probably pick up on it.
And don’t ask about salary! Careerbuilder.com reports the following advice from Susan Peppercorn, a Boston-based career coach:
“The goal in an interview is to convince the company that you are the best person for the job… By bringing up salary before this happens, the job seeker runs the risk of making money the focal point of the conversation rather than their fit for the job.”
Don’t get nervous! If you’re afraid, it shows. Some interviewers might be sympathetic, but many others will not. You need to stay calm and composed. Otherwise, your nerves could totally sabotage you.
Of course, the more prepared you are, the better you’ll feel. So if you follow all these steps thoroughly, take a deep breath. You’ve got this in the bag.
Now go and nail your first job interview!
And if you’re searching for internships, consider applying for ENTITY Academy. If I made it past the interview, so can you.
