You’ve got the interview, that’s awesome, but what do you do now? Interviews can be stressful and nerve-wracking so here are some tips and best practices you can try to get the butterflies in your stomach to settle down.
Preparation is key so make sure you:
Know the Company:
- Research the company! Know about their policies, values and current events that could help you make conversation in the interview!
- Come with questions to ask the interviewer! Be curious and have a few questions ready for the interview. Employers like to know that you’ll be willing to ask questions when you’re confused, and they want to make sure that the person they are hiring is serious about working there. Perhaps a question related to the organization’s values or motto/catchphrase if they have one.
- Here are some sample questions:
- What does a typical day look like in this role?
- Is there anything you would like clarification on?
- What are the biggest challenges of this job?
- Would you like a list of references? (Only if you’ve already confirmed with your references that you can use them)
- How does one advance in this company?
- What is the company’s management style?
- What’s your favourite or least favourite part of working here?
- Do you provide professional development opportunities?
- When can I expect to hear from you?
- How will I be trained?
- How will my performance be evaluated?
- What are the next steps after the interview process?
Dress to Impress:
- Make sure you are dressed appropriately for your interview! You should be dressed in professional attire for any interview you attend. You want to look polished and presentable.
- Plan out your outfit the night before so you aren’t stressing the day of.
Day of the Interview
Time to Go to Sleep:
- Try to get a good night's sleep beforehand so you’re not overly tired and can focus during the interview.
- Don’t forget to set an alarm to wake you up in the morning. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready and travel to the interview.
Food & Drinks:
- Minimize your caffeinated beverages. I understand the need for caffeine, but it might make you more anxious and jittery before your interview.
- Bring a water bottle to your interview and make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day. In the interview you can pause to take a drink of water to give yourself time to think of an answer, don’t do this for every question but if there’s one you are having trouble with pause and take a second to think of an answer.
- Eat before you go! Interviewing on an empty stomach can impact your energy, cause you to feel faint or make your stomach rumble during the interview.
What to Bring & Other Etiquette:
- Print a copy of your resume, cover letter and any other things you submitted with your application! Also be sure to bring your references (make sure you’ve reached out to them beforehand so they know they may be getting a call about you).
- Write down the names of your interviewers in advance so you can address them by name in the interview. Especially at the end when you’re saying goodbye and thanking them for their time.
- Remember to breathe! You’ve got this!
After your Interview:
Congratulations, you’ve made it through your interview, but now what should you do? I would recommend sending a “thank you” email. In the email you can add on to what you said during the interview, add any thoughts that you forgot to mention and restate your interest in the position. This email could help to set you apart from other applicants who don’t send a “thank you” email since it adds a personal touch at the end and a final thought before goodbye. Sometimes through email is where you will be asked to send your references.
How CareerZone Can Help:
For more interview tips and tricks please visit https://careerzone.brocku.ca/home.htm. Once you’re logged into CareerZone, go to “Student Resources” and click on “Interview Prep”. There you’ll find links to a web-based interview practice tool call InterviewStream, tips for different types of interviews, tips on dressing for success and much more. To book a mock interview appointment with CareerZone staff go to careerzone.brocku.ca then click on “Campus Career” and then “Appointments”. You can book by appointment type or times available.
Linked below are some CareerZone tips:
- InterviewStream
- CareerZone
- SOAR Technique
- Personal Sales Pitch
- There are many more documents and tips available on CareerZone
Good luck in your interviews and please feel free to send any questions to career@brocku.ca. We also offer document review services, just send us an email with your document in Word format, and we’ll get back to you with feedback.
Connect With Us!
We are here to support you, so don’t be afraid to ask for help! We offer many student resources on our portal (careerzone.brocku.ca) and can be contacted via email at career@brocku.ca to answer any inquiries you may have.
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Twitter: @BrockCareerZone
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Written by: Jessica Kroeze, Career Assistant
Edited by Kara Renaud, Supervisor of Career Education, CCEE Department
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