My personal guide to interviewing
One of the many trials and tribulations I experienced in college was learning to interview. When I discovered that almost every single club at my school required them to be considered to join the organization, I realized I was in for a rough time having had no experience. As a result of the difficulties I faced initially, I have set out to help other people with this challenge, from friends and family to readers on Medium!
1. Preparation
One of the biggest game changers for myself was when my friend shared the spreadsheet she had set up. It had the most common interview questions and her ‘stories’ for each one. The stories themselves should be structured in the “STAR” format: defining the situation, task, action taken, and result.
Building this sheet out for myself was key to helping me practice for interviews, and having multiple answers prepared helped me see how versatile they were and how they could be utilized to answer many different questions. Additionally, I would have questions prepared to research about the organization I would be interviewing and have questions ready to ask the interviewer themselves. This helped my confidence as relieved a lot of my interview anxiety. At the end of the day, nobody can know your stories better than you and deliver them like you can!
2. Confidence
Mindset is super important for carrying you through the interview. If you stumble on one question, it’s important to be able to carry on and, most importantly, believe in yourself!
Preparation is key, however making sure that during the interview you utilize and communicate your stories and research confidently is key to success. Being in a good mood has helped achieve the façade that I am confident, even during those interviews where I have felt insecure. One way I ensure I’m in a positive mindset is by listening to a pump-up playlist full of songs that make me feel powerful (thank you Megan Thee Stallion). I try to listen to it on a walk or some form of physical exercise to get the endorphins (happy chemicals) pumping! Its also important not to overload your brain before your interview with research and preparation, so I try to find time prior to the interview to relax with a distraction like watching some tv, listening to a podcast, or reading a book.
3. Motivation
Of course, the job offer itself is a huge motivator in it of itself. However, often the anxiety of the immediate interview can cloud that and bring upon more stress. As a result, I like to have a guaranteed treat planned for after the interview itself. Whether that is a literal treat, as food is always a delicious motivator, or an activity to look forward to. It helps to have something to look forward to and not dwell to much after the interview replaying your answers and hyper analyzing them.
4. The Thank You
Sending an email tailored to each interviewer following the meeting expressing gratitude is a great way to make a good impression after the fact. Recalling topics you discussed helps to demonstrate interest and remind them why you are a great fit for the position!
At the end of the day, believe in yourself and your abilities and it will truly get you far — in interviewing and the world beyond!
