Your first interview is going to suck. You’re not going to make eye contact. The words are going to feel like they’re stuck in your throat. When you think about your answers later that evening, you’re going to kick yourself because you realized you made zero sense. But it’s okay. Interviews only get better with time. As you learn the best ways to answer questions, memorize key examples of past experiences, and get more comfortable interacting with managers, they get substantially easier. As an introvert, I wasn’t used to speaking to people, let alone speaking with someone who was going to judge me based off of my answers. It’s a nervewracking experience, but I’ve found that using these steps got me the jobs I wanted to get.
1. Dig for info. It feels a little bit like cheating sometimes, but looking up all the information you can on a company online will give you the edge above other candidates. I’m talking google, YouTube, Reddit, Tumblr—anything that people post about that company on, you need to be reading. Look up tips on interviewing for whatever job (retail, customer service, office). Honestly, Glassdoor.com was my best tool for information when looking for a job. There, you can find salaries, reviews about the company, and most importantly, questions that are frequently asked at the interview. Write those down. Like, all of them.
2. Practice! Practice! Practice! Talk to yourself. Those questions you found online? Answer them to yourself out loud. Practice answering your questions over and over, but don’t memorize an answer, as you don’t want to sound too rehearsed. Once you know what you want to say, keep on practicing. Think of multiple answers to a question (just in case you blank/have two+ interviews). If possible, ask someone to do a mock interview with you and ask them for their honest opinion.
3. Dress the part. The first impression you make on your interviewer can make or break you getting the job, no matter how qualified you are. I’ve read a lot of articles stating that you can’t overdress for an interview—I disagree. To be fair, it all depends on what job you’re applying for. Obviously, if you have an interview at McDonald’s, don’t wear a suit and tie. However, don’t show up in jeans. This is where your research of the company begins to come into play. Also: bring a few copies of your resume in a nice folder, along with a nice black notebook and a pen. While I think that you can be overdressed for an interview, you can never be over-prepared.
4. Calm down. You’ve made it to the interview. Your heart might be racing and your palms may be getting a bit sweaty, but it’s alright. You’ve gotten this far. After you ask to speak to the manager, take a few calming breaths. This is important. Freaking out is only going to cause you to blank on everything that you’ve practiced so far. You will stutter and sound unsure about your answers, and body language is just as important as what you say. Try to be 30 minutes early for your interview, to give yourself time to collect and focus. Consider watching a video you enjoy or listening to your favorite playlist in the car to relax before walking into your interview.
5. The easiest part—the interview. An interview isn’t meant to be a trial; so don’t treat it like one. Smile. Pretend to be the most confident person you can. Most times, I try and channel someone I admire. Most importantly, make the interview flow conversationally. Don’t churn out answers in a robotic manner. Rather, when possible make your responses into small stories, or anecdotes, that are relatable to the job and answer the question. Let your personality and humanity shine through. Use appropriate humor or explain how things make you feel, when necessary. And remember, it only gets better with time.
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