Interviewing tips help grads land jobs
Preperation is the key to having a successful job interview
By Rachana Dixit, news editor
Posted on April 24, 2006

In less than a week, seniors will be embarking on a new phase in their lives, leaving the university that provided them with a degree and applying those skills to, as they say, “the real world.”

But, between the job searching and the signing of the piece of paper that says they have received that coveted position, there is an essential element in between — the interview.

Yes, the interview. Some breeze through them with incredible ease, and some are not as fortunate. Regardless of that, though, a few simple things will allow almost anyone to have a successful one, and put them that much closer to where they want to be.

“A lot of it is just going in prepared,” said academic and career adviser Chris Campbell, highlighting the importance of researching the company and practicing before the actual interaction. “You don’t get up out of bed every day and talk about yourself for eight hours,” Campbell said.

Senior Joanna Eckenrode interviewed with a behavioral health management company earlier this month, hoping to apply her anthropology major and biology minor to obesity research that has a larger focus than diet and exercise. Before the interview, Eckenrode said, she researched the company to make sure her career goals aligned with the company’s goals.

“I wanted to put myself in a position that made me look good on grad school applications, and the goals of the company were aligned with the health goals I had in mind,” she said.

Campbell has also had his share of job interviews, some good, and some not so good. After getting his undergraduate degree in political science, he said he “was kind of in a limbo area,” since he didn’t know whether he wanted to go to grad school or get a job.

But, he did a few interviews in a range of career fields. Campbell cites one particular one, where he was applying for a position in sales, which taught him to have some necessary skills.

“It was hard for me to explain how I would match up for sales,” he said. “I hadn’t had a lot of practice.” Campbell’s interviewer even held up a paper clip and told him to sell the object to her.

“I had to convince her that my paper clip was better than the guy’s behind me,” Campbell said. 

Hypothetical situations may be hard to prepare for, however, there are other preparations that can be done so a person is physically ready for the meeting. Eckenrode added that she remembered to get a good night’s rest before the interview to be able to answer questions intelligently, and tried to focus on the nonverbal signals that one can give during an interview. She says she tends to use her hands when talking, which could be distracting.
 
“I’m a big hand-talker,” Eckenrode said. “I could see [the interviewer’s] eyes following my hands.”

But, once again, Eckenrode said she was satisfied with the interview because she knew information about the company beforehand. “There was nothing I wasn’t prepared for, which I was happy about,” she said.

Lastly, she adds, following up and thanking the company after the interview is a good habit to have, regardless of whether you got the job. “It’s the kind of thing people will remember you for,” Eckenrode said. “If someone else doesn’t, it’ll make you shine brighter in their eyes.”