Interviewing 101

College students are in the thick of interview season, both for jobs and internships. So, I thought I would share tips I’ve created and acquired over the years about how to have a fantastic job interview! Full disclosure – I am writing mostly from the perspective about interviewing for positions in the media and journalism field (specifically advertising, strategic communications, marketing and public relations).

Preparation

This should be a given, but one should never go in to an interview without a substantial amount of preparation. A little bit of research goes a long way, and can make you stand out significantly against applicants of similar experience/skill levels. Researching a company isn’t just about going through its website, although that is important. You should spend some time scrolling through its social media channels, reading through its blog (if applicable) and take a deep news dive to read about what the company has been up to over the past five years (at least!). If, after all of that, you don’t come up with a lot, you should contact the company’s HR department or your interviewer, and ask about any case studies they may have on file or successful award submissions they could have you comb through.

Next, research your interviewer(s). LinkedIn is an incredible tool for learning about peoples’ professional backgrounds, so take advantage of it! Know their current job title, what their role at the company involves, any promotions they have gotten at the company, their general career path (especially their last place of employment), any awards they may have received and their alma mater. You never know what kind of similarities you may share with your interviewer! Making a personal connection will almost always work in your favor and show your interviewer that you would be fun to work with on a daily basis, which is important!

Part of interview prep is knowing your résumé like the back of your hand and being able to speak about everything on it in detail. You should also have a 60 to 90 second elevator pitch about yourself ready, because most interviews start out with “Tell me a little bit about yourself” or “Walk me through your résumé.” I like to confine my elevator pitch to what I’ve been up to in the past year or so. But, if you have really great experience outside of that timeline, don’t be afraid to highlight those as well.

Lastly, make sure to prepare questions to ask your interviewer. Never, EVER, come to an interview without three to five questions ready. Try to incorporate your research when formulating your question. For example, ask “I noticed that your company won an award for this initiative/campaign, what do you think set you apart from your competitors?” Keep in mind that you’re interviewing them just as much as they’re interviewing you!

Attire

When dressing for an interview, much like going to church or attending a wedding, it’s ALWAYS better to be overdressed than underdressed. Depending on the company at which you’re applying, you may not have to wear a full business suit. I usually pair some nice slacks or a skirt with a plain sweater or button down and a colorful blazer. It’s nice to have an interview outfit that isn’t just a black slacks, black jacket and white button down look. It’s also important to wear something you feel comfortable and confident in. You only get one chance to make a first impression and a great outfit can make a huge difference in separating you from other applicants.

Conduct

Having a great handshake is another small, but important, aspect of a job interview. Practice doing so with your friends the night before! And to you ladies out there: A lot of male interviewers expect women to have weak handshakes. Prove them wrong! Make your handshake firm and don’t be the first to break away. A great handshake shows that you are confident and ready to make a good impression.

During your conversation, make eye contact with all of your interviewers. If you’re giving great responses but looking at the floor the whole time, they will seem rehearsed and much less genuine. Be comfortable enough in your answers to look your interviewers in the eye and engage with them!

Finally, take notes. A lot of people feel weird taking notes during an interview, but it demonstrates interest and attention to detail. I’ve never met an interviewer that did not appreciate an interviewee taking notes about what they were saying. Everyone likes to feel heard and important! Taking notes also gives you something to mention in a follow-up email or thank you note (I’ll get to that later), and shows that you were paying close attention to your interviewer.

Responses

It’s natural to want to fill silence, especially when you’re nervous. But doing so can make you look unprepared and insecure. When asked a question, lean into the silence and wait to start talking after you’ve crafted an organized, clear response in your head. Treat every response like it’s a mini-speech. I don’t mean that you need to drone on and on – you don’t want to bore your interviewer or take up too much of their time. Try to limit your filler words and use a solid, even tone of voice with lots of inflection. The last thing you want to do is bore your interviewer. With each answer you give, let your personality shine through. You want to be memorable (in a good way) and bring life to your name in a way that a resume cannot. Don’t be afraid to talk about things you are interested in outside of work/school, make a small, appropriate joke or two and take interest in your interviewer’s personal life if it comes up in the conversation.

After the Interview

Send a hand written thank you note. It’s crucial to thank your interviewer for taking the time out of their busy schedule to speak with you, and going the extra mile to send a hand written note is always a great personal touch. Follow up, but don’t badger. I usually give it a week before sending a quick follow-up email to my interviewer reiterating my interest and gratitude for the chance to interview for the position. Waiting can be agony, but it’s important to stay patient and know that you’ve done all that you can do!

More than anything, just be authentic in any interview you may have. And remember, if it doesn’t work out, something else will come along that could be an even better fit for everyone involved. Feel free to comment below with interview questions or advice you’d like to share that I didn’t cover!