It’s that time of the year. For some people this means summer jobs and for others it means a first career. It’s a tough process looking for jobs and submitting applications(cover letters argh!). So when you do land an interview go ahead and pat yourself on the back, that’s awesome.
Interviews can go in a combination of directions. The interviewer is really trying to understand you, your capabilities, work ethic, and ability to fit into a business’s culture. It’s important you do your homework, perform in the interview, and show excellence afterwards. I wouldn’t declare myself an expert however I do have a fair degree of interview experience to share.
Pre Interview
Research the company. Research ten times more than you researched for your paper in WBIS. It’s important to soak up as much information about the company as possible. The website likely has mountains of information. If you already know someone withinthe organization don't be afrad to ask them for information and tips about the hiring process.
The Actually Interview
Don’t be nervous. Well, maybe you should. What kind of weird person doesn’t feel any nerves before an interview. Be sure to talk and behave professionally, however make sure your personality is still evident in the conversation. A lot of people turn into a corporate robots during interviews to maximize a professional façade. Always be armed with questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the conversation. Lastly, dress like a boss and be sure to get business cards from the interviewer.
Post Interview
Now is your time to shine. It’s likely that most of your competition isn’t on top of their game enough to send a thank you message to the interviewer. Be sure to compose a thank you message to the person/persons you interviewed with. You can send either a hand written note or an email. It’s up to you to judge which medium is most appropriate.
The waiting game is always stressful so keep yourself busy. I suggest you get NetFlix and start watching every episode of the show Dexter. If 10-14 days go by without hearing anything I suggest you follow-up with the individual you’ve been in contact with at the company. You can simply ask if they need any further information from you or if a decision has been reached on the position. These things take time and don’t get worked up if it’s going slow.
Happy Job Hunting.
