Interviewing can be a tricky business, and for some is one of the most intimidating parts of the job application process. Here are our insights on the art of interviewing.

The Intern Perspective

I once had a boss tell me she imagined I probably wasn’t very good at interviewing, which was a shame because I was a stellar employee. I knew exactly what she meant. As an introvert and someone who isn’t exactly comfortable talking about or “selling” myself, I’ve always struggled in interviews. With a tendency to speak concisely, I find it hard to give full, well-explained and detailed responses. As someone who is quite shy, the task of forging a connection with someone in a mere twenty minutes is daunting. I’ve relied on the tips my mother offers below time after time to help overcome my fear of interviewing.

As I’ve said, interviewing is not my particular strong suit. So instead, I’d like to tell you about the best interview I’ve ever witnessed. At a summer internship, I was able to sit in on phone interviews for the company’s fall interns. We had read the resumes in advance, and there was one candidate I had major doubts about – he had straight D’s on his transcript and a lackluster cover letter. However, he was offered an interview, and I learned a valuable lesson – the interview means everything.

What made this candidate so great? For starters, he was polite, on time, and incredibly professional. When asked a question, he gave full, robust answers, taking the pressure off the interviewers of having to draw out information. Each response included a story, starting with answering the direct question, but then drawing in other experiences and skills that may not have come out on the interview based on the pre-set questions. In short, his long, detailed responses and inspiring personal story left everyone in the room quite moved. He got the job.

No matter what your transcript says, you’ve got a story to tell. The interview is your chance to tell it.

The Boss Perspective

The only way to have a great interview is to do your homework and prepare well in advance. This is absolutely not the time to wing it! Let me first remind you of the purpose of your interview: to demonstrate your fluency—your ability to  communicate, behave, and fit into your interviewer’s environment without conscious thought. That means the people who interview you want assurance you can fit in by looking and behaving similarly to the people who already work there–and that you will do an outstanding job of completing your work assignments.

Therefore you have two critical goals during your interview:

1) Convince each interviewer that you are a good fit for the organization (your fluency), and

2) Reassure each interviewer you will do an outstanding job and make him or her look good because they had the good sense to recommend hiring you.

Before the interview.

Do your homework. Know an impressive amount of information about the company and its competitors, its mission and goals, its employees/culture, and any current issues/opportunities or positive press. Be prepared to discuss how the values and goals of the company fit with your values and goals.

An impressive interviewee I well remember was a young woman who clearly and succinctly explained how a summer internship in my company would provide her an opportunity to work with professionals in our field who were also interested in positive change and making a difference. She connected with me because she helped me see that helping people was something quite important to both of us. I liked her immediately and have remembered and stayed in contact with her ever since.

During the interview.

The first clue whether or not you have sufficient fluency is the way you are dressed. Appearing underdressed is far worse than appearing overdressed. Always aim for one level higher during the interview—i.e., in a casual environment wear business casual attire during the interview, and wear business attire in a business casual environment.

Whether or not you are introverted, this is no time to appear shy. This is the time to share your knowledge of and interest in the organization, and actively engage with each interviewer, by both answering and asking relevant questions and sharing a bit about yourself so the interviewer can get to know you. Share the insights you gained from all the research you conducted on the company (without sounding like a know-it-all.) Explain why you think you are a good fit in the organization and how you will both add and gain value from the experience.

After the interview.

Whether or not you are chosen for the position, send a thank you note within seven business days—preferably hand written—to each interviewer thanking him or her for taking the time to speak with you.

We hope these tips will help you put your best foot forward in any interview, and help you land your dream job!

APW & NW | Your Success is Our Success