Interviewing Tips

Hello all my Senior Greeks! I know that this is a scary time for all of us Seniors, preparing to step out into the world and get professional jobs, getting our first credit cards, our first places of our own, ah! I know that I am in total denial over the situation and while I am taking steps to get things in order, I am also very trepidatious about my future and what is to come. I wish it wouldn't! I could not compare my four years in college to anything else I have experienced in my life, and I will miss them very much. If not just for the irresponsibility that is not frowned upon, the waking up late, or the going out with friends, but for the very least the memories I have made. I have made amazing friends, had crazy nights, and met some very insightful mentors, and I wish I could stay at UK forever being a college student, but I cannot. At some point (it is rapidly approaching) I must take the reins and start my new adult life. We all know the first step in beginning that life is getting our first jobs, and to do that we must tackle the interview.

My father is a pretty expert interviewer, and I have picked up tips along the way from teachers, career counselors, and from experience that will help all of you to have the most successful interview you are able to have.

1. Come prepared.

The biggest thing that will impress your interviewer is if you come prepared to the meeting knowing something about the company, its services, its track record, or anything else that would be relevant. Look on their website if they have one, check their stock values, look in back newspapers or journals for articles pertaining to the company, or ask around.

2. Look the interviewer in the eye, shake hands firmly.

Being a confident, not cocky, interviewee will do wonders. If you look the person conducting the interview straight in the eye and shake their hand firmly upon entering and exiting, it will show that person that you are able to handle professional conversation.

3. Be honest.

If they ask a question about your weaknesses, be honest. If they ask you about a blemish on your record, transcript, resume, what have you, tell them. It does not do to lie to that person to try and seem like the "perfect" candidate, they can see through that and will not appreciate someone who is a liar. And you don't have to sound like a negative nancy as you are explaining yourself. Tell the, why that particular weakness, discrepancy, etc. is there and explain the situation frankly, you don't need to embellish unnecessarily or try and justify or rationalize too much, but do say how you have learned from the situation, how you recognize this flaw and are taking steps to correct it.

4. Be ready to ask questions.

An inquisitive interviewee is always appreciated in the eyes of a potential employer. If you need more information about a certain topic, ask about it, don't be afraid. I know it may sound backwards to ask someone you are interviewing for a job with questions, but if they know you have thought about the job, are enthusiastic about it, and truly want to learn more, they will appreciate it immensely.

5. Do not use colloquialisms, cuss words, or pop culture jargon.

Nothing sounds more uneducated than someone talking to a professional as they would a friend. By all means be yourself, but do not act as casual as you normally do, as it is not that relaxed of a setting. Avoid phrases like "freaked out", "totally", etc. and words such as "like", they just don't sound like you want to present yourself as a professional adult.

6. Lastly, send a thank you note afterward.

Even if you do not get the job, it makes you look so appreciative and a good person if you send a thank you note to the employer or company after you interview with them. It should thank them for their time, say you really appreciated the opportunity, and to hope that you stay in touch if another opportunity presents itself. After all, maybe they don't have a job for you now, but they might in the future, and writing a thank you note makes you memorable, and memorable is good.

I hope all of these tips help, seniors. It would behoove all of you to also look sharp (business casual-I know it's a vague term, but there are plenty of online resources to tell you what exactly that means), and to arrive early as well. Good luck to all of you, and I cannot wait to see what happens!