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Interview

The first year of college might not seem like a time to be concerned about interviews. However, 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. As you explore different industries and careers, you might set up information interviews, which are a great form of networking that can lead to job opportunities.

Interview Preparation 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.

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 seeks. 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 seek. It is important to research the organization and the people you may work with prior to any interview. Doing so will help prepare you for the interview and help you know what questions to ask. Review the Tech Tip in this chapter and consider the following advice:

Start with the organization’s or company’s Web site. It is usually the single best resource. 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, try hoovers.com, a site that provides extensive information about companies and industries.
Review competitors’ Web sites. Gather information on developments in the company’s industry or sector.
Ask for advice. Ask faculty or your career center whether they have information or feedback about the company.
Use your library. Find articles in business publications and industry trade magazines. Remember to ask a librarian for help if you need it.
Note the employer’s goals and values. 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’s products and services. When you can speak a company’s language, you’re showing that you have prepared yourself.
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. Show that you have taken the time to find out about the company prior to the interview.

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. You can record your answers multiple times, which allows you to practice and perfect your response, and you can send your recorded interview to faculty members or others for feedback. Because the interview is recorded using a Web cam, you can review not only your words 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.

If you are changing your career and have been interviewed before, make sure to think about the best and worst interviews you have had and try to avoid repeating the mistakes you made in the past; more important, build on the positive interview strategies you used in previous successful interviews.

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 always dress neatly and appropriately. 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. Also, many two-year colleges have suits to loan to students who cannot yet afford to buy expensive clothes for an interview.
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 commuting time.
Follow up. It is important to follow up any interview with a thank-you e-mail. Many times, the person to whom you addressed your cover letter is not the person with whom you actually interview. Prior to leaving the interview, ask for business cards of the professionals you met so that you have their contact information. Send a hand-written thank-you note or well-written thank-you e-mail to every person who interviewed you. In your follow-up, you can once more highlight how your skills and experience match the organization’s goals.