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Job interviews

2016 fall semester topics

Job interviews

Getting ready for a job interview for the first time is not easy. Here are some tips for college/university students.

“When you’re a college student or recent graduate interviewing can be a challenge, especially if you haven’t interviewed much. That’s especially true when you’re interviewing for entry level jobs, because, in general, it’s a level playing field with all candidates having the same basic qualifications.

However, there are ways to prepare for an interview so you can stand out from the crowd of entry level candidates and make the best impression on the interviewer. The more you prepare – by practicing your interview skills, researching the company, being able to show why you’re qualified, and by following up after the interview – the better chance you’ll get at securing a second interview and/or a job offer.

Top College Job Interview Tips
 Analyze Your Target Job. What skills, knowledge and personal qualities are required by the employer and are critical for success in that role?

Make a List of Your Key Assets. Be prepared to share 7- 10 key assets, like skills, course projects, experiences, personal qualities and knowledge bases, which will enable you to make a solid contribution in that role.

Share Examples. For each of those assets be prepared to share an example or anecdote which shows how you used that strength to complete an academic project or successfully carry out a work or co-curricular role.

Show Enthusiasm. Be ready to articulate why you are interested in the target job/organization, how it relates to your goals. Show enthusiasm during the interview for the job.

Practice Interviewing. Review common interview questions and think about how you would respond. Practice your responses with advisers and use the interview preparation modules offered by the career office at your college.

Conduct Information Interviews. Conduct informational interviews with college alumni who work in your target field. Find out key trends and what it takes to be a success.

Research the Company. Research your target organization. Learn about their challenges and accomplishments. Read the press releases on their website. Look for articles in the business press evaluating the progress of the organization.

Pay Attention to Your Body Language. During the interview watch your body language: shake hands firmly, make eye contact as you articulate your points, and sit up straight.

Listen to the Interview Questions. Listen carefully before you respond to questions, ask for clarification if you are uncertain about the focus of a query.

Be Ready to Ask Questions. Be prepared to ask questions about the job that reflect your genuine interest and build on the research you have done about the position.

Summarize Why the Job is a Fit. Towards the end of the interview if you are still interested in the job, let the recruiter know that you think the job is an excellent fit (summarize briefly why) and that you are highly interested.

Say Thank You. Make sure you get the contact information for your interviewer and send a follow up email or letter as soon as possible after the meeting. In addition to thanking them, reference anything which they said that enhanced your interest and briefly summarize why you think the job is an excellent match.” Source info

  • 15 Career Experts Share The Best Interview Tips For College Graduates
  • Job Interview Questions for College Seniors/Recent Grads

    • Recommended books

    Katharine Brooks: You Majored in What?: Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career, Plume (2010)
    Helena Seli: Motivation and Learning Strategies for College Success: A Focus on Self-Regulated Learning, Routledge; 4 edition (2012)
    Ron Fry: 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions, Cengage Learning PTR; 6 edition (2009)

    Additional web resources