After countless hours filling out “applications for employment,” I’ve finally landed four, I repeat, four, interviews this week. I consider it an act of God, but now that I’ve scored the coveted times slot, I only have one thing on my mind: how am I going to make an impression.
It’s no secret that we are currently existing in tough economic times (all my circa 2008 Grads raise your hands). Employers are barely hiring and we are all scrambling for the few jobs available. I’ve decided to focus on the worst part of job searching, the interview, because it’s something I myself have the most trouble with. Why? Fear. That’s right, the reason we all stay in those cushy dead end jobs—fear of having to impress another employer during the nerve testing interview. On the Brightside, we all get jittery. Negatively, you still have to make an impression. So how do you lay to rest the fears and overcome all that anxiety? Below are some steps that I’ve adopted to get me to the next step:
- Your resume: It precedes you. Learn the art of resume…elaboration, but don’t straight out lie. Why is that a bad idea? Well, lying is morally wrong (yuck, morality) but also lies are hard to remember and support in an interview. When an employer reads your resume, they expect you to embellish, but they want you to go into detail during the interview (if your resume gets you there). So lesson one, don’t write that you are fluent in Spanish just because you’ve taken a few college level courses (trust me).
- Now that you have your foot in the door, it’s time to make an impression. Remember appearance is a part of said impression. You want to look your best—that goes without saying—not only because the employer wants to know you aren’t a “Slovenly Peter,” but when you look your best you feel your best. You know what I mean. When you go out of your way to dress nicely and shock even yourself when you look in the mirror, your confidence level goes through the roof. That’s what you want during interviews, self-confidence.
- Do your research. Employers are impressed when you show the slightest inclination that you know what they are about. That means that they are more than just another potential on your list of hopefuls and you’ve actually considered applying for more than a paycheck. A little research can go a long way. Also, look into common interview questions and answers, just adjust the answers to fit you personally—it won’t do to sound like a robot who memorizes well.
Once you’re done prepping, go out there and sell yourself. Become the perfect employee, for at least 30 minutes to an hour (who’s perfect?). Don’t get flustered when they ask questions about things you have no experience—remember, you’ve done your research so you have a legit made up answer prepared. And when they repeat the same question in a different way, (usually beginning, “Describe a time when…”), do the same—revamp the same response.
Now that you have all this knowledge, go out there and get a JOB, Superstar.
Lady A
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