As the end of spring semester quickly approaches and students rush to secure an internship for the summer, The Daily Pennsylvanian has students covered with 10 quick tips to help prepare for an interview.
1. Research the company beforehand.
Researching your potential employer is a key part of showing that you fully understand the company and its goals during an interview. Intertwining your previous experience with the goals of the company is a good way to display interest and provide the interviewer with a reason to hire you.
2. Research your interviewer.
If you know who’s going to be interviewing you, taking even 15 minutes to research them can be a helpful way to prepare for the interview. Taking a quick look at your interviewer's LinkedIn page not only informs you on basic personal information — like how long they have been working at the company or their job title — but also gives you background information on their previous experience, potentially allowing you to determine a common interest you could mention during the interview.
3. Carefully read and understand the job description.
While it sounds simple, it is critical to understand the position you are applying for and be able to describe your interest in detail. Having an understanding of what you will be asked to do ensures that you are prepared to actually complete the responsibilities required of the position.
4. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer.
Understanding the position you are applying for also ensures that you can effectively prepare questions to ask during the interview. Asking questions that display your knowledge of the company shows that you genuinely have an interest in the position. Some good questions to ask are: "If you could design the ideal candidate for this position from the ground up, what would they be like?" Or: "What kind of person would you most like to see fill this position?" The more detailed the questions the better.
5. Prepare your answers for commonly asked questions.
Interviewers often ask questions like, “Tell me about yourself” or, “What’s your biggest weakness,” and having a thoughtful answer to both questions is important. There are many lists of common interview questions, and while you should think about your answers to them beforehand, don’t write out an entire answer — instead, jot down a few points to ensure you cover all the bases without sounding like a robot.
6. Practice aloud.
Jotting down answers to questions and actually articulating them into words and speaking aloud are two different things, so it is important to rehearse your answers aloud. It will help you not only clarify your thoughts and figure out what you definitely want to say, but also make you more comfortable during the interview.
7. Dress appropriately.
Whether the interview is virtual or in person, be sure to wear appropriate clothing. Researching the company beforehand can help here, as in your research you may come across the dress code. If you are completely unsure, sticking to a safe basic and conservative dress code ensures that the way you are dressed does not influence the hiring decision.
8. Arrive on time.
If the interview is in person, be sure to arrive to the building slightly earlier than necessary in order to find parking if you are driving to the location or to account for any public transportation mishaps. Arriving early also allows you to find the suite or office where your interview is so you don’t have to rush or worry about getting lost. If online, test out the meeting platform the company is using beforehand to be sure you understand how to properly use it.
9. Sell yourself.
Modesty has a time and place — but not when you are interviewing. Present yourself accurately and acknowledge your past successes. Tooting your own horn — at the appropriate time — provides the interviewer with all of your possible deliverables helping them figure out if you will truly be a good fit for the position.
10. Be confident.
If you have followed these tips, you have prepared for your interview to the best of your ability, and all you can do now is be confident in yourself during the interview. Having the right body language when interviewing helps make your confident words more believable.
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