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First professional interview: How do I prepare so I do amazing?
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On friday I have an interview for my first real career position out of university. A few things to note: it is meant for grads, so I'm not out of my league for experience, and this is pretty much my dream job/firm. Everything the firm does manages to encompass everything I was looking for in my career goals and in more than one area. Once I started researching this company I realised they work in the industries doing the things that are top 3 on my list of career goals. It's amazing, and it's an opportunity I can not miss.
As you can see, I'm excited. But I need to own this interview. What should I expect, how do I prepare, and this one has been the hardest for me to think of on my own - what questions do I ask to guarantee they know how badly I want this job (or other reason for the questions?). I know pretty much everything about this firm now, I've researched them pretty heavily yesterday. Now I need your help.
Please, get me this job!
Thanks a lot, everyone.
As you can see, I'm excited. But I need to own this interview. What should I expect, how do I prepare, and this one has been the hardest for me to think of on my own - what questions do I ask to guarantee they know how badly I want this job (or other reason for the questions?). I know pretty much everything about this firm now, I've researched them pretty heavily yesterday. Now I need your help.
Please, get me this job!
Thanks a lot, everyone.
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It goes without saying but don't chew gum, or don't hold a pen in your hand if you have a habit of clickity clacking it. Bring a portfolio of your work and some paper to take notes for your own records. IE, what they're offering. Request all offers in formal writing. If they say "you'll start at X and in 3 months we'll do Y and you'll be making Z then!" Get that in writing too. No one will take offense and they know you're covering for both them and you so you'll both be happy with the decision. And if they do take offense you should find a way to gracefully end the interview, that's my advice for you for someone that made that mistake before.
1. Be confident in your answers, regardless if you know it or not - if you don't know something, saying confidently "It's not something I've had experience with, but I've done X and Y, which should be similar, and would be excited to learn about Z" is a lot better than "Well, I haven't really done that yet..."
2. Don't lie - seriously.
3. Relax - Remember that the interview is just as much about you liking them as them liking you. Ask questions about the culture there, advancement opportunities and company vision and future. You're potentially entering into a long term relationship with this company, so you want to make sure it's right.
4. Be Human - they're looking for someone they can work with, not a robot. Most successful people I know are personable, direct and motivated; show that and you should be in good shape.
So, if it's too late to get some real interviews at other jobs in the field right now, get as close as you can. You want to be ready for questions that throw you off.
Here's the thing, I'm very confident in myself and my ability to do this job. I'm heavily researching the position, field, and company, as well as refreshing some of my relevant knowledge from my degree so that I should be able to handle any questions along those lines.
What I'm trying to do is polish everything off with the things that make the difference from great to wow. I'm preparing in every way I can that will come across as professional and right for the job. I guess I'm looking for the little tips that will be noticed and make me memorable.
I do agree that I shouldn't have this be my first major interview, but it's just how it worked out. The interview is on Friday, so don't really have the ability to get other interviews.
My point is just don't be afraid to be obvious that you're enthusiastic to work for them.
Have someone go over your outfit with you too, preferably a stylish, professional woman.
This does a few things: 1) makes you look prepared/interested in the position, 2) lets you highlight your own abilities/qualifications, and maybe most importantly 3) lets you redirect possible awkward moments back to areas where you're more comfortable.
You can use the same notepad to take notes during the interview. Especially in group formats I find that helpful to do (otherwise I forget to respond to parts of questions or whatever.) It also makes you look more organized.
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
Ask career services to set up a mock interview with you on wednesday or thursday. Darkewolfe's post is 100% correct, mostly b/c it mirrors mine...
This, or talk to professionals you know and ask them to interview you. Might be a little late, but check with your professors, see if they know anyone willing to give you an hour or so.
Rule of thumb for an interview is to dress a step above the office dress code for the interview. If they're business casual, wear a tie. If they're wearing jeans, you should be business casual for the interview.
For the love of god be punctual.
schuss is pretty on target
with this being a position for grads, entry level, I estimate that they are *primarily* looking for character, social acumen, and other indications that you're going to be a tolerable coworker regardless of your technical abilities (which can always be taught)
Avoid being mumbly, give complete answers, don't stare at your feet.
You don't have to stare into their eyes like a serial killer (read: don't), but you also don't want to count the threads on your socks
It is possible to give a complete answer even if you don't know the answer. Especially in an entry level interview, "I don't know" is not a bad answer if you can use it as an opportunity to talk about your education and background, even in a positive light, so they can learn something about you. But you have to be able to elaborate on the fly. You can't short-answer people if your answer sucks.
we also talk about other random shit and clown upon each other
Absolutely good luck! I'm sure you'll do fine, just throwing out my anecdotal advice.
I blew my first interview out of school, for a job I was absolutely qualified for and really wanted, when I had a great recommendation by a friend of the hiring manager as well. I just got caught by what was a really important question that I was unprepared for, which was basically, "Why do you want to work in THIS EXACT PART of this specialized field, rather than THAT mostly related but still different part where you spent more time in school?" The truth was that I didn't have a strong opinion either way, like most college kids I was still finding myself, but it really mattered to the interviewer because he was looking for passion. As I started interviewing from then on, I collected other off-the-wall questions that would pop up in my field and just started interviewing better.
So, even if you can't get a real interview, ask people (especially people in your field) to throw interview curve balls at you. It just really helps to be able to confidently answer any question you get because you've thought about it before.
1. Cutting cost for the company
2. growing business
3. Growing people
Since you don't have much experience, try to answer question that have results that are related to the three topics above.
The goal is to show your skills sets or how you will help the company with results they like and what I listed are the least common denominator from what employers want to hear.
I am in advertising/marketing for 10 years so this helped me out a lot.
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Darkewolf, that question is something I will definitely find an answer to, because I do think that's a likely question given my education.
Horus, those specifics are absolutely wonderful. They're things I know but not anything I would have thought of.
To everyone else I'll do my best in keeping my composure (I'm sure I'll be fine) and taking your recommendations. Thanks everyone!
I consider myself a really good interviewer and just got a job out of college a few months ago. Punctuality, dress, and handshake are actually really important. Most interviewers determine whether they like a person when they enter a room. And if they like you they will try hard to help you get the position.
One thing I tell everyone that asks this question:
Tell them that you want the job. Seriously. You'd be surprised how often people just go for an interview and answer the questions and walk out like everyone else. The majority of recruiters I've talked to said that they rarely ever hear the words "I want to work with you"
At the end of the interview say something like "I've looked into your company extensively and I think that I'll be a great fit for you. This seems like an amazing opportunity and I want to work for your company."
I'm fairly positive that it's the reason I have the job I'm in right now. My résumé wasn't the most impressive, but they could tell that the position was something I wanted. Usually that beats a higher qualified person who couldn't care less about the job.
PSN: ChemENGR
Don't worry, I look daper as fuck - suit and tie all day.
Anyway to those wondering, I just got home from the interview and it went, I think, wonderfully. We, twice, ended up in (good, relevant) conversation rather than just question and answer, which was my goal. I seemed to impress them with my knowledge of the industry (I answered all the questions they asked me solidly) and it ended on salary expectations and when I can start, so all in all a very good interview.
I didn't feel at all nervous, so I doubt I portrayed any nervousness, and so forth.
Thanks everyone, I'll probably post again when I get a call back (next week they said).
Send whoever interviewed you a thank you card. Then hand-deliver it to their child at school, driving their parent's car.
I was top two, went back for another interview. They went, unfortunately, with the other guy. Apparently for job experience reasons.
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!