Lessons on Interviewing From a College Graduate

Interviews can be intimidating, no matter how old you are. As a recent college grad, I've interviewed for many jobs. It's been challenging and I feel like I've been through the gauntlet. Not every interview works out the way you want. Here's what I've learned and I hope it helps you in your interviewing journey.

  1. Having the Wrong Questions Ready - I've gone into many interviews believing that the questions I prepared beforehand would be suitable to ask at the end of the interview, but too many times I've had them answered before I could ask them! This can be remedied by actively listening during the interview and having interest in the job, which should cause you to be curious about the position you're interviewing for.

  2. Not Knowing How to Market Yourself - Understanding your own abilities and talents is vital when marketing yourself in an interview. I know my own worth and ability, but how do I tell my interviewer that? Preparing ahead of time can make or break your interview at times and that could mean a variety of things, from preparing some talking points and rehearsing them to researching the position and understanding what will be asked of you ahead of time.

  3. Catering To Your Interviewer Too Much - We often think that interviewers will like us better if we market ourselves to their needs, even if it takes away from our needs. A balance needs to be found where you do cater to the interviewer's wants while also seeing a genuine fit at the job you're applying for.

  4. Know What You Want - Applying for jobs is easy, however not every job you apply for will be the right fit for you. When going in, make sure you understand every aspect of your position and ask about what the day-to-day will look like for you. If it isn't right for you, the interview won't go well from the start.

  5. Being Anxious - Having to speak to a higher up in a company for an interview can be incredibly intimidating. Being anxious has left me scatterbrained and jumbled before, making me feel like I wasn't as prepared for the interview, even if I was. The best way I've found to remedy anxiety is to prepare as much as possible, as well continuing to practice talking with different people. Humanizing your interviewer can make you feel much more comfortable, so maybe try to ask a few questions to know them better too!

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