Interviewing
The first year of college might not seem like a time to be concerned about interviews, but students often find themselves in interview situations soon after arriving on campus. You might be vying for positions in student government, finding an on-campus job, competing for a second-year scholarship, applying for a residence hall assistant position, choosing a summer job opportunity, or up for selection for an internship or as a research assistant. Preparing for an interview begins the moment that you arrive on campus because, as a first-year student, the interview is about you and how college is changing you. Students who haven’t clarified their sense of purpose or who have taken only a little time to reflect on who they are and how they have changed can feel lost in an interview. Luckily, the chapters in this book have begun preparing you for the interview process. Below are some additional suggestions.
The purpose of the interview is to exchange information. The interviewer’s goal is to evaluate you on your abilities and competencies in terms of what the organization is seeking. For you, the interview is an opportunity to learn more about the employer and whether the opportunity would be a good fit with your aptitudes and preferences. Ideally, you want to find a match between your interests and abilities and the position or experience you are seeking. It is important to research the organization and the people you may be working with prior to any interview. Doing so will help prepare you for the interview and help you know what questions to ask. The Company Research box gives tips on how to go about doing this research.
After you’ve done your company research, the next step is to prepare for and practice interviewing before the actual interview. First check with your career center to find out whether you can participate in a mock interview. Mock interviews help students strategize and feel comfortable in interview situations. Your counselor might ask you for a position description, your résumé, and a company profile prior to the interview to simulate an actual interview as closely as possible. Many career centers also have virtual practice interview software for you to gain experience. InterviewStream is a popular program that allows you to record answers to interview questions asked by the computer for replay and review. The benefits to this type of software are numerous. You can record your answers multiple times, which allows you to practice and perfect your response, and you can send your recorded interview set to faculty members or others for feedback. In addition, because the interview is recorded using a Web cam, not only can you review your responses, but also your body language! Nonverbal communication is often more important than what you actually say in the interview. Even if a mock interview session is not available, the career center can offer tips on handling an interview situation. Check your career center’s Web site for sample interview questions so that you can practice before an interview.
behavioral interview An interview in which the interviewer questions the candidate about past experiences and how they helped the candidate learn and grow. This type of interview helps assess skills and behaviors.
Behavioral Interviews. You may face several types of interview situations, but a popular kind is the behavioral interview. In a behavioral interview the interviewer assumes that your past experiences are good predictors of your future abilities and performance. Interviewers want to hear stories about things you have done or are currently doing that can help them assess your skills and behaviors. Often there is no right or wrong answer. Answering a behavioral question can be difficult. A method commonly used to help students think through possible answers is the PARK method, which helps you focus on the most relevant aspects of your experience. The acronym PARK can be explained as follows:
P: Paint a picture of the problem or situation. (What happened?)
A: Explain the actions you took. (What did you do to resolve or fix the problem?)
R: Determine the results or outcomes. (What was the result of the actions you took?)
K: Apply the knowledge that you gained and applied through the experience. (What did you learn? How did you apply it?)
Appropriate Interview Conduct. In any interview situation certain things you do might make the difference whether you are considered for a position. Here are a few suggestions:
- Dress appropriately. First impressions matter, so as a rule of thumb, always dress neatly and conservatively. If you apply for a position in person, pay attention to the culture of dress within the organization. You can be somewhat casual for some types of employers, but it is better to dress too professionally than too informally. Check with your career center to get advice about proper dress.
- Arrive to the interview on time. If your interview is off campus, consider taking a trial run to the location prior to the day of your interview to determine how long it takes to travel to the interview site. Be mindful of traffic volume at certain times of the day and plan accordingly. The interviewer expects you to be on time, regardless of the weather or morning commute.
- Follow up. It is important to follow up any interview with a thank-you card, handwritten or otherwise. Many times the person to whom you applied for the job is not the person who you actually interviews you. Prior to leaving the interview, ask for business cards of the professionals who you met so that you have their contact information. Send thank-you cards via e-mail to every person who interviewed you. Use this time to reiterate how your skills and experience match the company’s goals or to mention something you forgot to talk about during the interview. A handwritten thank-you card is also a nice touch. Few people actually use this method, and because it is rare, it always gets noticed!
COMPANY RESEARCH
- Start with the company’s Web site. It is usually the single best resource. Scroll through the entire Web site. Note details you can use to develop good questions to ask in your interview as well as prepare relevant answers to anticipated interview questions. If the company does not have its own Web site, go to other Internet sites, such as hoovers.com, that provide extensive information about companies and industries.
- Review competitors Web sites. Gather information on developments in the company’s industry or sector.
- Ask for advice. Inquire with faculty or your career center on whether they have knowledge or feedback about the company.
- Visit company-specific message boards. Corporate message boards give the opinions of current and former employees and give a different perspective about a company. Vault.com is one example, and many career centers have a subscription to this resource.
- Use your library. Find articles in business publications and industry trade magazines.
- Note the company mission, vision, and values statements. This information tells you about the company culture and can help you decide whether you would be a good fit.
- Research details about the company products and services. Being able to talk a company’s language shows that you have prepared yourself and are versed in the scope of its services or technologies.
- Find out the company’s strategic goals, special projects, and new developments. Use this information in your interview to prepare insightful questions to ask about the direction of the company.
- Take your research with you to the interview. It is OK to show that you have taken the time to find out about the company prior to the interview.
TOP TEN SKILLS AND QUALITIES THAT EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR IN CANDIDATES
Ability to communicate verbally with persons inside and outside the organization
Ability to work in a team structure
Ability to make decisions and solve problems
Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work
Ability to obtain and process information
Ability to analyze quantitative data
Technical knowledge related to the job
Proficiency with computer software programs
Ability to create or edit written reports
Ability to sell or influence others
The ideal candidate is, therefore, a good communicator who can make decisions and solve problems while working effectively in a team.
Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers. Job Outlook 2012. Bethlehem, PA: National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2012.