Thinking like an Interviewer

by Christin

(Am I supposed to add a Pandora station, too?  Right now it's "Celtic Woman".  That's potentially a little bit embarassing..)

Lately, I've had interviewing on the brain.  This is almost certainly a result of spending at least 50% of my work time over the past two weeks doing interview-related things.  I participated in a few days of interviewing for new interns and student staff, gave a presentation on interviewing skills, met with students for mock interviews, and had Career Counseling Intern (henceforth referred to as CCI) training on interviewing.  It’s that time of the year, I suppose!

What is most interesting is that in most of these experiences I have been able to get a view from the “other side of the table”, if you will.  This opportunity has been incredibly enlightening and has given me a new perspective, both personally and professionally, on interviewing.

I always used to think I was a good interviewer.  I suppose that’s because almost all of the interviews I have had produced favorable results, and because I felt positively about them once they were over.  In fact, I distinctly remember a time when I told my college roommates, “I love interviewing!  It’s just like having a good conversation.” 

Not quite.

Contrary to popular belief (or maybe just my belief) interviewing is not a completely intuitive process.  While the interview is your opportunity to show the employer who you are as a person, there’s also a formula you ought to follow, and a way interviewers are looking for you to both act and answer questions.  You need to make them want YOU over all of the other applicants, and doing this takes a certain amount of preparation.  There are a number of things to consider, and it can seem bit overwhelming to think about!  Am I dressed right?  How is my body language?  Are my answers to their questions strong enough?  Am I really qualified for this job?  Do they like me?! 

Our Career Success Guide on Interviews has a lot of good information on how to approach interviewing.  However, the most important advice I can give would be to practice, practice, practice.  Get a list of common interview questions and literally write out your answers to them.  Practice those answers.  Know yourself and what points you will want to make about your strengths and successes ahead of time.  Know the company as well.  (Don’t just take a quick glance at their home page, either.  Do some thorough research!)  Doing this will cut down on a lot of that crazy pre-interview stress and anxiety.

I am not saying to be someone who you aren’t just to nail an interview.  Above all things, be yourself.  But be yourself in a professional manner.  Interviewers want to see the kind of person you will be when you come to work every morning!