Interview DOs and DON'Ts

Hey Badgers! We know that students are looking for summer jobs and getting an interview is part of the process. Interviews can be nerve-wracking but we want to help remove some of those nerves by giving you some dos and don'ts when in an interview. 

10 INTERVIEW DOs and DON'Ts 

DO research the company. Interviewers might ask you company-related questions and it is a bad look to know nothing about the place you are hoping to work at. Questions most likely will not be super specific but make sure to know what their values, mission statement and goals are.

DON’T answer questions with generic answers. Make your answers specific to your qualifications and experiences and try to connect them to the requirements of the position.

DO practice for your interview. Prepare yourself for weird, unusual questions and watch yourself in the mirror to see if you fidget, say “um” or like a lot, etc. Try InterviewStream, a website that allows you to record yourself answering interview questions so you can look back and analyze how you did: https://brocku.interviewstream.com/

DON’T interrupt the person or people interviewing you. Even if you think you know what they are going to say, it is polite to let them finish their sentence.

DO dress professionally. Ensure that your clothing is clean and proper and avoid wearing ‘extreme’ clothing or casual garments.
DON’T be late. You should be at least ten minutes early to any interview but if you are going to be late because of uncontrollable circumstances, make sure to call and let your potential employer know.

DO ask questions at the end of the interview. This is a good place to show that you did research on the company or prepared for the interview.

DON’T use slang or jargon in your answers. Speak professionally to present your best self.

DO answer questions fully. Yes or no questions should be followed up with proper reasoning and explanation. Using examples from prior experiences always helps.

DON’T brag. Talk about your accomplishments and why you would be a good candidate for the position but do so humbly. 

If you have an interview coming up and you'd like to do a mock interview, book an appointment with our Career Consultant Kristen Wall on careerzone.brocku.ca or through email at kwall2@brocku.ca. There are also interview resources available on careerzone.brocku.ca under 'Resources'. CareerZone is open Monday-Friday from 8:30AM-4:30PM (Tuesdays until 6:30PM), drop in and talk to a Career Assistant about any job-related questions!

InterviewStream Mock Interview Madness Contest

Hey Badgers!!

It is that time of year again, CareerZone is running our Mock Interview Madness contest.

The Mock Interview Madness contest runs from March 1st 2019 - March 31st 2019 with schools across North America.  The rules are simple, each school must get the highest amount of student participants.

What can you do? 

Participation takes only a few minutes!!!

You just need to log into the InterviewStream site through careerzone.brocku.ca answer the one Mock Interview Madness question "Tell me about yourself."

CONTEST PRIZES

By simply answering this one Mock Interview Madness question you will be entered to win a $50.00 gift card.  In addition you will be helping the Brock CareerZone team with winning the ultimate grand prize, a $500.00 Amazon gift card!

Importance of InterviewStream

Are you attending an upcoming interview or are you looking to improve your interview skills and etiquette, the InterviewStream application can help!

InterviewStream is an Interview tool, which uses webcam recording.  This application which is accessible through the careerzone.brocku.ca website assists students with making an excellent first impression and setting one up for a successful interview.  This tool provides feedback and tips of non-behaviour and communication missteps.  PLUS gives students the opportunity to seek feedback from the CareerZone staff if you choose or from others -- friends, family, faculty.  This application is also a great resource for self reflection. 

Check out the InterviewStream application & enter into the Mock Interview Madness competition.  If you have any questions in regards of this contest or Interview preparation please stop by the CareerZone resource centre.