Interviewing is 'Scary'

It’s beginning to look a lot like FALL! The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are changing and its officially Spooky Season! With all the fun Fall activities, apple picking, pumpkin carving, haunted houses, it is important to also remember that Fall also brings internship opportunities. Many companies who are recruiting for spring semester interns have started posting about their opportunities. And in the theme of all things spooky…let’s talk about the spookiest part of the internship process. THE INTERVIEW (queue dramatic scary music)! 

Interviewing can be scary, especially in these virtual times. Below are some important tips to help ease the interview jitters, so that you can save the “scaries” for all those Halloween movies. 

• DO YOUR RESEARCH on the industry, company and the position. Researching is an important part to preparing for an interview. Know the companies mission statement, what they do, current industry trends, and the people that work there. LinkedIn is a great tool to help with research before an interview! 

           

• KNOW YOURSELF- practice your elevator pitch before an interview. Know your skills, interests, values, goals and your story! Also know why you are interested in that company and position that you are interviewing for. Knowing these things about yourself will help with the scariest question of all, “Tell me about yourself.” 

• TELL YOUR STORY- an interview is a way for the employer to get to know you and your story, and you have to sell it. Think of your top 10 “drop the mic moments,” the things that you are most proud of. Remember to make sure that you talk about those 10 moments when you are on the interview, they are a part of your story. 

• DRESS TO IMPRESS- it is better to be overdressed! Think about the company culture and how your attire for the interview will fit into the company. 

• DON’T “GHOST” YOUR INTERVIEWER- always send a “thank you” email within 24-48 hours after an interview to everyone you met with that day. Mention something specific you talked about with each person to give it an extra personal touch. 

Want more interviewing tips? Make an appointment for an “Interview Practice/ Preparation” with the Center for Career Design and Development, or practice with our newest interviewing tool, Big Interview! 

  

Cheryl Posner

Career Advisor, Liaison to the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication