Whether you are in your final or first year of college, it is almost certain you will encounter an interview at some point soon. Interviews can be intimidating and stressful, so here are some tips that I have used to be brave and overcome those nerves. Keep in mind I am not an expert but a fellow college student who is just starting to navigate the “adult” world.
- Know the position/company.
This is fairly well-known advice that you are pretty much guaranteed to receive if people around you know you have an interview scheduled. But it’s so true! Not only is it helpful to know which aspects of the position you feel are the best fit for you or that aligns most with your experiences, but it also shows your interviewer that you are well-prepared. Personally, I don’t think this means you need to memorize the job description, though some might say you should, but you should have a good enough feel of what the job entails. Most importantly, this will help you know whether or not you really want the position. Ideally, you would figure that out before an interview was scheduled, but better late than never!
- Know yourself.
While this includes knowing the details of your resume and relevant work and volunteer experience, it also includes knowing your interests and how to explain what makes you unique! If you are interviewing for a full-time job, you have to keep in mind that this is a place you will be working every day, and you will probably feel more comfortable if your coworkers can really get to know you. Opening up during the interview by adding anecdotes of your interests or cool facts about you might be a good start! Of course, this may not be appropriate for every work setting, as levels of professionalism and interview focuses vary from place to place.
- Check out your school’s career resources.
At Stonehill, we have the uber-helpful Career Development Center that offers services from mock interviews to life chats for students. I would highly recommend all Stonehill students use their resources and for non-Stonehill students to look into whether their school offers anything similar! If not, maybe there is a professor or faculty member you are close with who would be willing to help you prepare for an interview by asking you questions that might come up or by offering advice from their own experiences.
- Dress your best.
Since you have put so much time and effort into applying for the job or opportunity and preparing for the interview, you want to feel your best on the big day! I hesitate to offer specific outfit advice given that there are different dress codes for every workplace, but I would recommend digging a little bit into the dress code for wherever you are applying to and at least match that attire. At the end of the day, wear something that you feel confident in because confidence gives you the best glow!
- Plan a fun post-interview activity.
Because there can be so much anticipation leading up to an interview, I recommend planning something to do after to decompress and unwind. I had a recent interview and left out my comfy clothes and sneakers to change into when I was done to go on a fun walk with my dog. It wasn’t anything major, but it really helped me clear my head and give me a sense of peace after it was all over.
I hope you find these tips helpful—remember that you are a rockstar and you have so much to offer to whatever you may be interviewing for! If it goes well, great! If it doesn’t…you’ll get them next time!