AUCA/ CAREER SERVICES/ For Students/ INTERVIEW PREPARATION

INTERVIEW PREPARATION

 

Pitching yourself

An important part of landing a job is being able to pitch yourself (or “sell yourself to the hiring manager”). You might be required to do so in job interviews, at career fairs, in emails/LinkedIn messages, in intrapersonal introductions, and even when applying for opportunities on-campus. A personal pitch usually follows the following structure:

  • who you are (name, year, major, what you’re currently doing);
  • a relevant interest or passion of yours;
  • a thing you could bring to the table;
  • what you are looking for.

Tip: It is important to practice a pitch beforehand. Try your best to sound natural and genuine, not robot-like. A good pitch is 3-4 sentences long, and no longer than a minute.

 

Interviews

To heighten your chance of passing an interview, it is recommended to do the following things:

  1. Before the interview:
    1. Research the company (their missions, goals, culture, recent news, the name of the interviewer [if possible])
    2. Understand the job (review the description, match skills and experience they are looking for, be ready to explain why you are a great fit)
    3. Practice common interview questions ("Tell me about yourself." "Why do you want to work here?" "What are your strengths/weaknesses?" "Tell me about a time you faced a challenge at work.")
      Note: for “what would you do” questions, use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
    4. Prepare questions for them (i.e. “How a typical day looks like?”)
    5. Practice (do mock interviews with your friends, record yourself and review your body language)
    6. Review your resume and portfolio
  2. Day of the interview:
    1. Dress appropriately (Formal for corporate, casual for startups, &c.)
    2. Arrive early (20-30 mins)
    3. Bring copies of your resume, a notepad and pen, a list of questions for the interview
  3. During the interview:
    1. Make a strong impression (smile, be confident, maintain eye contact and good posture)
    2. Listen actively (ask for clarification if necessary, let the interviewer finish their sentences)
    3. Show enthusiasm
    4. Be honest (don’t overflatter or oversell yourself)
  4. After the interview: 
    1. Send a thank you note within 24 hours.

Tips: stay calm, be on topic, display confidence.