April showers bring interview hours. It’s officially job and internship interview season, which is almost always characterized by stress, Glassdoor research, and lots of advanced preparation. Your interview process will vary depending on your major and desired field, but one fact remains for everyone: you need to arrive at your interview prepared and ready to go. That way at the end of the interview you will experience that “I totally nailed it” feeling.
Job interviews nowadays are more complex than they were generations ago. Our parents typically had one face-to-face interview and were notified whether or not they received an offer soon after. Thanks to technology, recruiters and companies can interview you from the comfort of their workplaces and the interviewees' own homes or offices. Moreover, you may be subject to multiple interviews in different formats and settings before a final decision on your status is made. My sister, for example, had five rounds of interviews that ranged from face-to-face to video before receiving her internship at Bloomberg. Here are the types of interviews to look out for and how to prepare for them. Face to Face Face to face interviews still exist. Most of us know the drill by now: do your research on the company and the position, ask the interviewer questions, dress in business professional attire, and be polite, sincere, and enthusiastic in your responses. Some companies even require the interviewee to complete an activity or task testing their knowledge of the industry, company practices, and their ability to adapt to and remain calm in high pressure situations. Interviewers can read your non-verbal body communication as well. Slouching will make you appear uninterested. Eye contact and a firm handshake go a long way. Make an appointment with a career coach for a mock interview for more information on how to nail face to face interviews. During the appointment a career coach will ask you general interview questions and then provide you with feedback on your responses and overall performance. Video Interview Even if you’re not sitting directly in front of the interviewer, it’s important to remain as professional as possible. For example, you shouldn’t conduct a video interview in your dorm room with a band poster hanging in the background. Your best bet is to go to a quiet place by yourself for privacy. The Center for Career Services has a room in Cannavino Library that you can reserve to ensure a distraction-free conversation. Stop by Library 332 to learn more about this interview room for students or to make a reservation ahead of time. Also, figure out how to use the video conferencing technology BEFORE the scheduled interview. Google Hangouts and Skype are two popular platforms, but companies may use their own platforms as well. Study them to avoid complications that will make you look unprofessional and become more nervous. You’ll thank me later. Phone Interview For me this type of interview is a nightmare considering I hate talking to anyone on the phone. The majority of my friends, in fact, abhor phone calls. Nonetheless, a phone call is practically inevitable in the early stages of the interview process. Do your best to communicate clearly and effectively. Remember that you’re not face-to-face, so it’s crucial to enunciate properly and ensure your room is signal-friendly. Days before a phone interview I complete research and take notes. Hours and minutes before a phone interview I try to meditate or go on a walk to calm my nerves. I even have a stuffed animal on my bedside just in case I need something to calm me down while I’m on the phone. These seemingly benign tactics help tremendously, but find what works for you. Interviews are evolving. You may have to prepare for multiple types of interviews or interview for the same position more than once. Interviewing is a process and you need to be on top of your game at all times in order to get the outcome you want. With enough preparation, practice, and research you should be able to thrive in all types of interviews.
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