5 Interview Tips - especially for Students!

Your resume has made it through the screening process!  Congratulations!  Now it's on to interviews.  Interviews are exciting but also somewhat unnerving. This week's post includes 5 tips to guide you towards interview success. Be sure to come back next week for additional tips!
 
 
1)  Do your homework.
      One of the biggest complaints of hiring managers is that many candidates know very little about the company they are interviewing with.  Make sure any question you ask could not be answered by perusing publically available information such as the company's website. Look at the company's social media feeds as well.
 
2)  Understand industry and general trends and think about how they will impact the company. 
​          Create answers or suggestions for them that show you can think big picture, not just about the job for which you're applying. People don't stay in the same job forever, and showing your broader understanding demonstrates that you would be an employee who could advance and accept more responsibility.
 
3)  Identify your unique "personal brand".
            Consider what is unique or special about you, and how that adds value. Decide on 2-3 key points that you would like for the interviewer to remember and include them in your answers when relevant.
 
4)  Prepare a list of likely questions and what your answers would be. 
            Be sure to understand the company's challenges (aka "pain points") so you craft answers that include the company's needs and how you would address them. Carefully read the job description to understand the skills the company seeks, then make a mental list with examples of how you have demonstrated them in the past. Don't just recite facts about previous projects or positions.  Describe your thinking, what you uniquely added to the process, what you learned, and what you would do differently if applicable.  Demonstrating a "growth mindset" will help you stand-out from other candidates.
 
5)  Be positive, even when past situations were less than ideal. 
            Even bad experiences are learning opportunities. 
 
 
Finally, remember to practice!  Preparation shows, plus you will feel more comfortable.
 
Check back next week for more tips for interview success, and contact us for personalized resume, interview or help defining your "personal brand".  Good luck!