7 Tips for Rocking an Interview
Professor Susan Pahlau, the Assistant Professor of Communication and the Coordinator of Communication Internships provides us with 7 useful tips for doing well in an interview.
1. Prepare for the interview. Before your interview, there are three important things you should do. First, you should always research the employer and organization to learn as much as possible (this will help you with step #6!). Second, spend time to think of possible questions they will ask you and rehearse your answers. The more you rehearse, the calmer and more confident you will feel in the moment. Third, as a Christian, we should value the power of prayer. Ask a close friend or family member to pray for you during your interview. That can really help calm your nerves and give you wisdom on what to say.
2. Dress in Business Professional. Some of you may be asking, “What is the difference between Business Casual and Professional?” Business Professional includes a suit jacket for both men and women. First impressions matter, so even if the culture of the company is more casual, this step is important. Once you are hired you can dress on the same level of professionalism as your coworkers.
3. Arrive 5 minutes early. Pahlau says 5 minutes is the sweet spot; early but not intrusive. If you are 10 minutes early, it may feel a little intrusive to the interviewer as they may not be ready for you yet. If applicable, spend the time before your interview to talk to the receptionist. Be gracious and kind, and genuinely engage with them. After all, the interview really starts when you walk through the door, not just when you meet the interviewer. Lastly, and also SUPER important, leave your phone in the car! You can go without it for the duration of the interview, and it shows much more engagement and interest in the conversation with both the receptionist and interviewer if you are not looking down at your phone.
4. Greet the Interviewer. As noted earlier, first impressions matter! On average, a person has 4 minutes to make a first impression, so use that time well. In light of Covid-19, you may not want to reach out for the hand but rather wave or give them the Covid elbow tap. However, you should always respond to whatever the interviewer does. Ask where you can sit and pay attention to your posture as well. Lastly, there are 3 key resources you want to bring with you. You should have your portfolio on hand, several copies of your resume, and a business card with your contact information ready to go.
5. Answer Questions Concisely. This may seem self-explanatory, but so many of us begin to ramble when we are nervous. Intently listen to each question, answer concisely and with honesty, and try not to spin your words into a cliché or predictable answer. While you are answering questions, also pay attention to your body language and nonverbal cues. These include your facial expressions, gestures, posture, tone of voice, and eye contact. Overall, remember to be enthusiastic, project confidence, and stay positive.
6. Have a Question Ready to Go. As it comes to the end of your interview, most interviewers will ask you, “Are there any questions you have for me?” Rather than being that novice that replies, “Um, not at the moment”, think about possible questions beforehand. A great example Pahlau provided (that can serve as a backup) is to ask the interviewer about their specific role and responsibilities in the company.
7. Send a Thank You Note. Send a thank you note immediately after your interview, (even in the car after leaving the office). You should also send a handwritten thank you note and mail it to the interviewer, which is why it is helpful to bring a pen and paper to write down your interviewer’s contact information. This shows gratitude for their time and is an extra little action that many people never think to do. Pahlau mentioned that certain companies will not even consider someone if they do not send a handwritten thank you note. It doesn’t matter if you were a stellar applicant, so always remember to do this after the interview!
Luke 12:12 also provides us with encouragement as we go into an interview.
“For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
We can and should prepare as much as possible, but during the interview, it is important to know that the Holy Spirit will help you and give you supernatural wisdom that you would not have otherwise.
With these useful tips, you’re going to rock your next interview!
