15 Interview Tips to Land the Job

BY PROFESSOR JENNIFER SPENGLER

<Editor’s Note: Our sincerest apologies to the generous Ms. Spengler, as her work was not attributed to her name in the print issue. We at the Harbinger are all very thankful for the article and her patience as we sorted this out.>

Congratulations!  You are graduating in May!  You have completed job applications and sent out cover letters and resumes.  Then, the phone rings; and you have an interview.  Yikes!

It is only natural to be a little nervous for an interview, but you can do a few things to prepare and land that dream job or summer internship.     

1. Polish your brand.  Even before sending your resume, be sure to clean up social media, record professional voice mail prompts, and create a professional e-mail address.  This could be your name at gmail just not cutiepie@youre-mail.com.  Your Internet and social media presence contribute to your personal brand.  What does yours say about you?  Does it say you are a partier with questionable behavior, or someone involved in professional development activities and community service?  Be yourself; yet be purposeful and strategic in what you post online.
2. Do your homework.  Study common interview questions.  You can find a helpful list of questions with suggestions for how to answer them at www.slideshare.net then, search for “50 common interview questions and answers.”  You will want to prepare your answers, but do not memorize them.  Your answers should seem natural.  
3. Research the company.  At a minimum, review the company’s Web site.  Be familiar with the organization’s mission, values, and products.
4. Know the job description.  What are they looking for? Study the advertisement, and tailor your answers to highlight their needs.
5. Practice interviewing.  The ICC Career Center is a great resource for mock interviews.  You are looking for honest feedback.  You need to know if you say “like” or “umm” way too much.  
6. Dress appropriately.  Dress at least one level up from the position you are applying for.  No jeans—ever.  For most positions, dress conservatively.
7. Project enthusiasm.  Smile, add inflection to your voice, and use appropriate body language.  Concentrate on your posture.  This will convey confidence and a positive attitude.
8. Make a solid first impression.  Many interviewers will have their minds made up within a couple minutes of meeting you.  Connecting with the interviewer may come from your body language.  The Wall Street Journal’s Career Journal suggests 93% of face-to-face communication is nonverbal.  Start with a warm smile, eye contact, and a firm handshake.
9. Sell your skills.  During the interview, keep in mind your answers should be focused on what you can do for them not what you want out of the job.  If the ad says they are looking for someone who can work in a team environment, mention how you were part of a student organization, athletic team, or even a student group project where you worked with others to accomplish shared goals.  If you have not been involved in these types of activities, it is time to do so.
10. Engage in conversation.  Turn the interview into a conversation instead of a question and answer session.  It shows a heightened level of interest.
11. Be a match.  The employer wants to find a match as much as you do.  What personal qualities will you bring to the position?  Many employers are looking for a positive attitude, enthusiasm, and commitment over skills.  They can train for skills.
12. Ask questions.  At the end of the interview, you may be asked if you have any questions.  Be ready.  Asking questions reiterates your interest.  For example, you may ask the interviewer what makes him/her excited to come to work every day or ask about his/her career path at the company.
13. Take notes.  Within an hour of the interview, jot down as many questions as you can remember to prepare for future interviews.
14. Send a thank you note.  Immediately, you should send an e-mail thank you message, and then follow it up with a hand-written thank you sent through the mail.  This shows you are interested and that you are a professional.  Reiterate specifics from the interview and proofread as carefully as you did your resume.  The thank you needs to reinforce why you are the best person for the position.
15. Continue to show interest.  Even after the interview, you can continue to show your interest in the organization by attending events, reading press releases, and using their goods and services.

By implementing these tips, you will be in a better position to land that job!  In the words of Zig Ziglar, “You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win!”