How to Prepare for an Interview

As an advertising and public relations student at Grand Valley State University, you are required to have at least one internship to graduate. As the anxious go-getter I am, I secured three internships before my senior year.

For my first internship, I reached out to a farm that hosts child-centered community events in my hometown, asking if I could help run their social media. Shortly after, I received an email from the farm owners saying they were recently talking about hiring someone to help with social media. I soon set up a phone call with the owner and completed my interview. A couple of months later, I applied to Lake Michigan Credit Union for a Community Relations Intern position and received an email requesting an interview. Later the following year, I set up a Zoom interview with GVPRSSA Alumni for a Marketing Intern position at the West Michigan Tourist Association.

The only thing scarier than your first day of work is the interview. After many interviews under my belt, I am here to give you some interview advice.

Nerves are Normal

First things first, fear or nerves before an interview are normal and prove that you do care about doing well. Erin McGoff, a TikToker who gives life and career advice, says, “You do not need to get them to like you; they already like you. They would not be interviewing you if they didn’t think you were a good fit for the role.” So take a deep breath and remind yourself that interviews are a two-way street. Interviewers are getting a sense of the type of person you are and you are learning if you still want to work at this company.

Document Preparation

Preparing for an interview can single-handedly be the best thing you can do for your anxiety and nerves. Before I go to an interview I like to have my resume, the job description, and any other documents that may be helpful to refer to, like a cover letter. I find it reassuring that I can reference information quickly instead of searching through tabs if I’m in an online interview.

Research the Company

The more you know about a company, the more confident you will be talking about that company. Additionally, hiring managers will be impressed with your ability to talk about specific company points and that you have done research ahead of time to prepare. Examples of possible research questions include:

• Do the company values match your values?

• What do the company’s business operations look like?

• Are there any recent news or events that the company is involved in? (Positive or negative.)

Practice Answers

While having a script is not what a hiring manager is looking for, it is always a good idea to prepare for anticipated questions ahead of time. Before an interview, grab a piece of paper and jot down some bullet points to answer frequently asked questions. During your interview, you may refer to them during a quick glance—but remember not to read directly from your notes.

Common interview questions include:

• Why do you think you are a good fit for this position?

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?

• Why do you want to work here?

• Why do you want this job?

• Why should we hire you?

• Tell me about a time when you…

  • Made a mistake

  • Disagreed with a decision

• Do you like working on a team or individually?

• How would your boss/coworkers/family describe you?

• How do you deal with pressure or stressful situaitons?

• In your last position, what was your biggest challenge/takeaway/success?

Ask the Interviewer Questions

Asking questions during the interview can show that you are more interested in working for the company and put you ahead of someone who simply ends the interview quickly. This is also a good way to learn more about the company or position.

Below is a list of questions that you could ask during an interview:

• What does a typical day look like in this position?

• What are the experiences, skills, and qualifications that an ideal candidate has?

• How does this position contribute to the overall success of the company?

• How is success measured in this position?

• Why did you choose to work for this company?

Interviewing for jobs and internships takes preparation, confidence, and a positive mindset. By researching the company and practicing common questions, you can make a lasting impression that sets you apart from other candidates. Good luck!

Abby is a senior pursuing a degree in advertising and public relations with an emphasis in advertising. She will also be earning a badge in social media and a certificate in leadership. As the first Chief Communications Officer, Abby serves on the C-Suite for GVPRSSA and GrandPR. Abby has had three internships as a Social Media Intern for Honey Bee Gardens Farm, a Community Relations Intern at Lake Michigan Credit Union, and is currently the Marketing Intern for the West Michigan Tourist Association. After college, Abby hopes to work in the entertainment.