Acing the Interview

There is no doubt that spring is right around the corner after such a mild winter. With the turn of the season comes the time for both full-time and summer internship interviews. This posting relates to the discussion we held at our last monthly iChoose meeting on February 7th. Once you've applied to a multitude of jobs or internships that interest you, the next step is interviewing with an employer that sees potential in you. However, an interview is definitely not something that you can walk into blindly. This initial impression is critical to advancing into the next interview round or securing the job; the employer will be able to tell if you're genuine, truly want the opportunity, know about the company, and if you came prepared.

First off, arrive early and give yourself ample time to get to your destination. You should act professional at all times and dress yourself accordingly. This means looking formal, but conservative (an upcoming post will address this specifically). You should always have your portfolio, copies of your resume, a writing utensil, tissues, and water. Adopt a positive attitude, exude confidence, act curious and friendly, and make sure your breath is decent!

The CCD website is brimming full with interview tips and resources that will be continually referred to during this post. Click here to read some additional first impression tips and advice!

Your body language is just as important as the words you choose. Make sure to stand or sit up straight, maintain strong eye contact, smile, and do not fold your arms. Refer to the employer by name and be the first to extend your hand for a firm, two pump, handshake.

Here is a quick list of 10 mistakes that you don't want to make

• Arriving disheveled
• Forgetting that everyone is an interviewer
• Not answering the question asked
• Not understanding the job you are interviewing for
• Letting an early mistake ruin the rest of the interview
• Memorizing your answers
• Being arrogant
• Talking about your personal issues 
• Confusing professionalism with coldness
• Speaking negatively about the competition

Avoid those blunders and you'll already be off to a strong start!

Remember some of the strengths that you've developed as a result of the core competencies taught through the Babson curriculum. These include leadership, teamwork, oral/written communication, initiative, problem solving and analytic skills, pattern of accomplishment, and flexibility. However, the competencies you should communicate to the interviewer differ depending on the industry you are looking to enter. For instance, a banking job/internship would value finance and quantitative skills whereas a marketing internship would appreciate strong research skills and a sense of creativity. Don't forget the competencies that are all too familiar to an entrepreneur! Passion, embracing change, innovative thinking, opportunity recognition, resourcefulness, risk taking, effective strategy development, global citizenship, and making a both positive and powerful impact are highlights of the entrepreneurial spirit.

                                          

Just like the candidates interviewing, there are many different types and formats of interviews.

The most common interview types are:

• Informational: Reverse interview where you are information gathering rather than seeking an exact position.
• Traditional: Typically a first round interview, or start of any interview.
• Behavioral: Generally given by the hiring managers or potential colleagues.
• Case: Was reserved for consulting in the past, but more and more industries have been utilizing this format.
• Personality Testing
• Structured/Unstructured

Don't worry; once again the CCD website has you covered. Below is a link describing what each type is like and how to prepare for them.

Types of Interviews and How to Prepare for Each 

Some common interview formats include 1:1, a panel/committee, lunch or dinner, presentation, second interview, or a phone interview. Have a phone interview scheduled? Click this link!

The most important part of interview preparation is research, both pertaining to the company of interest and your own unique attributes.

Make sure you know company specific information:

• The Employer
• The Market
• The Interviewers
• Other Interviewees
• The Job

You should be able to effectively articulate key strengths about yourself:

• Skills
• Experiences
• Values
• Motivators
• Passion
• Interests

Below is a list of the questions you should be able to answer if you have done an adequate job of researching before the interview:

• In particular, what type of business does the company do?
• Which industries does the company conduct business in?
• How large is the company? Where do they do business? Who are their customers? What are their products/services?
• What types of professional development opportunities does the company offer?
• What are the career paths from this point of entry (within and outside the company)?
• What is a typical day, week, year like?
• Who is the interviewer? What is his/her role in the company? Do your research beforehand!

                             

You should go into the interview having identified a list of at least ten critical success factors. Determine how these are used on the job and construct relevant examples. Don't forget that every employer could benefit from an entrepreneurial-oriented mind. Also, make sure you have a thorough understanding of the company culture and how you fit into it. If you know what you offer and communicate it enthusiastically and positively, the interviewer will certainly sense the genuineness of your interest and remember it. Create an index card for each critical success factor (CSF) and use bullet points to record relevant examples of each. Think about circumstance, action, and result (CAR) as you are doing this. 

The dialogue of the interview should be a meaningful conversation, not a question and answer session.

Focus on the employee's needs at all times, but make sure you tell your story. Make it memorable, demonstrate your personality and passions, and set yourself apart from the crowd. Make sure you ask the interviewer thoughtful, insightful questions. Here is a link to some examples found on the CCD website, but additional questions should come from your own needs and additional research.

When the interview is finished a memorable wrap up is just as important as the conclusion in any paper you've turned in. Summarize your fit for the position, your passion for the job, company, and industry, and remember to reiterate the themes and headlines you communicated throughout the interview. Clarify next steps and express your appreciation for the chance to interview with him/her. Ask for a business card if you are not offered one, leave with a handshake, and address the employer by name once again. Make sure you send a thank-you e-mail within 24 hours referencing your meeting and conversation specifics. Follow up on any requests you received.

The CCD website has important follow-up steps that you should check out here!

Also, don't forget that you can send up a mock interview with CCD anytime to gain invaluable practice and realistic preparation. Call 781.239.4215 to schedule an appointment in advance or just drop in the office in Hollister 106 to make an appointment at the front desk.

If an interviewer said, "For the next 20 minutes, talk to me about our industry, our firm, and why you would be a good fit for the position," would you be ready?