Tips on How to Get a Job Through Interviewing
Interviewing for a job can be stressful, especially since most of the time you do not know what questions they will ask you. Once you are offered an interview with a company, it is important to do a few things. The first is to ensure you know the company by doing background research like looking at their website, following their LinkedIn page, or even reaching out to someone who works there. Next, make sure you know why you applied for the position or what gravitated you towards that company. Your response to this will be reflected upon during the interview, nine times out of ten. After the background research is completed, it’s important to prepare for the interview.
A few other questions to have prepared are:
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What words would other people use to describe you?
What skills and experiences do you have that would be beneficial to the job?
Why did you apply for this position?
What are some things about the company that stood out to you?
Focus on preparing yourself for the interview after having a general idea of how you want to answer those questions. The night before an interview, I like to do some self-care such as taking a shower or watching my favorite TV show before bed. By doing this it ensures that I feel good about myself and prepares me to ace the interview. Another thing I recommend doing before the interview is to pick out your outfit ahead of time so that you’re not flustered trying to figure out what to wear on the day of your interview.
One tip to follow on the day of your interview is to make sure you’re ten to fifteen minutes early to ensure you are at the right location and have time to relax before the interview. If the interview is on Zoom, make sure you log on five to ten minutes early just in case there are technological issues such as having the wrong password or the link to Zoom isn’t working. Also, when it comes to a Zoom interview, make sure you are in a quiet area with no distractions and that the background behind you is plain and clean. Showing up early to an interview could also look good to the interviewer because it shows that you are responsible, have time management skills, and are serious about the job position.
During the interview, make sure you maintain good body language such as sitting up straight and maintaining eye contact. Remember to be confident and show enthusiasm when you’re speaking. By doing this it shows the company your personality and passion for wanting to be a part of the team. Before the interview comes to an end, be prepared to ask the company a few questions. Some questions I like to ask are:
How would you describe the company culture and team dynamic?
How does the company support work-life balance?
Could you describe the day-to-day responsibilities of this position?
What are the work expectations for this position?
These questions can help you have a better understanding of what the company stands for and some insight into the position and team you could be working on. Once the interview is completed, I recommend sending a thank you email to show appreciation for the opportunity, and professionalism, and to remind them that you are still interested in the position.
Remember to emphasize how your skills and abilities fit their role and how you will be a great addition to their company. At the end of the day, the only person who knows who you are is you. So, take a deep breath, be confident, and explain what makes you you, and all the amazing things you have accomplished.
Ashley Love is a senior studying Advertising and Public Relations with an emphasis in PR and a minor in management. Beyond school, Ashley enjoys going on walks or weightlifting, spending time with friends and family, and baking. She currently works at Van Andel Arena as their Marketing Intern and has been there since August of 2023. After graduation, she plans to find a career in the in-house for an organization or in the education field doing Marketing, Communications, or PR.