Interviews for internships and summer
jobs are as varied as the types of positions for which students
apply. A formal interview may be necessary for positions requiring
a special skill, previous experience or particular background
in specialized courses. On the other hand, the procedure for obtaining
other internships may involve no more than sending a resume and
a cover letter or making a phone call.
Whether the
interview is long or short, formal or informal, thorough preparation
is the key to getting an internship. You will feel more confident
entering an interview if you've done your homework. An interview
itself will seldom last more than 30 minutes, but getting ready
will take considerably longer. Knowing what to do before, during,
and after the interview can give you the edge in selling yourself
to an employer.
An interview
is the single most important stage of your internship search.
There is no second chance, no replay. The interview is why
and how you either get hired-- or don't get hired.
WHAT
TO DO BEFORE THE INTERVIEW: DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
1. Take stock of yourself via a personal
"inventory" so that you can SELL yourself. This means
being able to articulate your SKILLS, STRENGTHS, PRACTICAL or
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE, and ACHIEVEMENTS and recognizing how it all
fits into what is required to do the internship.
2. Develop an effective resume.
Career Services can help you with this.
3. Doing your homework means
research. Get as much information as possible about the internship,
the employer and how you will fit in. Think about what you can
do for the employer. Sources of information can be found in annual
reports, recruitment or internship brochures, business periodicals
and specific industry directories.
4. Evaluate your assets to determine
which of your skills and experiences are most appropriate and
most attractive to an employer. Then think of how you can highlight
and "market" these positive assets to sell yourself.
Remember: you should try to create a positive impression by being
informed and goal-oriented. A good way to do this is to be clear
about why you are interested in the internship and how your career
goals and qualifications fit the employer's needs.
5. PRACTICE interviewing.
Enlist the help of Career Services.
WHAT
TO WEAR
Appearance is extremely important
in an interview. In many cases, applicants are selected because
they look like what the employer had in mind. You cannot control
an employer's preconceptions, but you can control how you look,
and how you look may influence an employer's decision to hire
you.
For internship
interviews, you should always dress professionally.
Female applicants may wear a suit,
a conservative dress or a skirt and jacket. Females should always
wear natural-color hose and medium or low-heeled pumps; jewelry
and make-up should also be conservative. Males may dress in a
business suit or jacket and tie. Good grooming is essential and
includes neat hair, nails, and shoes.
WHAT
IS AN INTERVIEW LIKE?
The interview begins before you even
say "hello"! Make sure to arrive 15 - 20 minutes early
to mentally prepare yourself and relax. The typical structure
of an interview is likely to include five minutes of getting acquainted,
15 minutes in a discussion of your background and credentials,
five minutes for you to ask questions and five minutes for wrap-up.
As you can see, there is not much time for you to "sell yourself",
so you must be organized and concise in making your key points.
You may be judged on a number of variables,
including:
~ Personal characteristics
- Grooming, manners, eye contact.
~ Self-expression - Are you forceful or vague in expressing
your ideas and when responding to questions?
~ Personality - What are you like? Outgoing? Quiet? Enthusiastic?
Energetic? Confident?
~ Enthusiasm and Interest - Are you really interested in
the employer? The particular internship? Are you just getting
interview experience?
~ Career Goals - What do you want to do in your professional
life?
WHAT
TO DO DURING AN INTERVIEW: SELL YOURSELF!
~ The first 3 - 5 minutes are
the most important!
~ The first impression you give is the crucial one!
~ Upon introduction, shake the recruiter's hand firmly. Greet
the interviewer with a smile, make "eye contact" and
try to establish rapport.
~ Take your cues from the interviewer; for example, wait until
you are invited to sit down to do so.
~Be aware that you are being evaluated from the minute you walk
into the room. The way you shake hands; the way you are dressed;
the way you sit; the way you talk and your voice inflections all
play a part in the impression you give.
~ Maintain good eye contact.
~ Pay strict attention.
~ Display a confident, positive attitude. Even if you feel the
interview isn't going well, don't show your discouragement.
~ Make it clear that you've done your "homework"!
~ Sell yourself! Make sure you communicate your strengths. Use
specific examples of those strengths. Accentuate the positive
and minimize the negative.
~ Be Honest!
HOW
TO FOLLOW UP AFTER THE INTERVIEW
Write a letter to the interviewer,
thanking him or her for the interview. State your continuing interest
in and enthusiasm for the position. If you forgot to mention something
important during the interview, include that information in your
letter. Wait for the period of time that the employer indicated
he or she would notify you. If you do not hear, call to ask about
the status of your application. While you are waiting to hear,
contact other employers and try to obtain more interviews.
