I have some exciting news that I don't really want to share because I think I'll jinx myself but I'll knock on wood to be safe! I have two preset video interviews with one of the company's I'm hoping to intern for! This is just the first step of many in hopes that I'll get the job, but I am still very thankful and excited! I wasn't sure what my blog post should be this week, so I put my laptop aside and decided to prepare for my upcoming interviews. Insert light bulb moment. I'll write a post on the advice I've gotten and experience I've gained in interviewing! Through out my college career you could say I "winged it" when it came to interviews, which if you know yourself well enough can work out in the part time retail world. But its time to get serious! Freshman year I didnt think anyone would hire me, panicked, and applied to about 10 different jobs, resulting in a lot of interview practice. That personal experience along with my pre-internship course has given me enough tips and tricks so I can go into these interviews without "winging it".
#1. Know your resume
I use to hate working on my resume, but with all my recent job experience I'm actually quite proud of it, and have really been able to keen in on my best skills as I grow. Knowing the information on your resume will prepare you for majority of the questions you'll be asked during your interview. In steed of mumbling a list of things you think that employer is looking for, know what you can offer and sell it!
#2. Find something that sets you apart
This could be a skill, a unique job experience, or even a hobby. My six years in FCCLA plus two years on student council gave me more than enough experience in public speaking. This is a task many people don't enjoy, and are quite frightened of. Do I enjoy public speaking? Not necessarily, but I will take on the task without hesitation. A unique job experience I have is being a nanny. No it has nothing to do with fashion, but its made me one heck of a multi-tasker! On any given day I can sooth a crying baby, while pouring a glass of milk, and buttering toast simultaneously. No joke, I've done it.
#3. Be prepared for situational questions
Situational questions are something I've always struggled with. The only way to really prepare yourself for them is to think of all sorts of different work experiences, good and bad, and take out what you learned. Doing so will cover a variety of possible situational questions. Below I provided some common situational questions. Although its not a difficult questions, "so tell me a little bit about yourself" always puts me in a tissee. There's about a 99% chance you will be asked this in an interview, the best way to tackle it is to come up with an answer before hand that is smooth yet conversational.
Common Situational Questions
What steps would you take in making a import decision on the job?
Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult customer.
Tell me of your biggest career success.
Tell me of a time where one of your weakness was tested on the work force.
