Interviews are the first impression the company's have of you that isn't just facts on paper. It's crucial you take these seriously and prepare yourself beforehand so you don't come across sloppy or unfit for the position you are applying for. Think about it as a friendly competition. You are all playing the same sport, but there's only one spot left on the team. You need to convince the company that they should pick you above the other candidates in a respectful manner to maintain good sportsmanship.
setting up (online)
Before your interview you should research the company further than when you were writing your cover letter as you applied. Really get to know what you becoming involved with and jot down a couple questions on a paper to have in front of you if you have any. Most of the time the person who coordinates a time for an interview with you will tell you their name, so (in a non-stalker way) do some research on them as well, looking into their role in the company. You can find them on google if it's a big company but if it's smaller and less well known you can most likely also find them on Linkedin.
Next you want to prepare your environment. Give yourself around 30 minutes before the interview time to setup your area and change out of your pajamas from online school. If you already feel ready you don't need to set aside a lot of time but I highly recommend it to calm your nerves because you feel prepared. Try to sit at a desk with at least your shirt and face looking presentable. (that's what they can see!) Next to me I like to have some research I did on the company and interviewee beforehand, printed or written out, that way I don't have to worry about the computer slowing from having multiple tabs open which could disrupt the interview. If it's a zoom meeting join early and try testing your mic and making sure your camera is centered the way you like it. If it's a hangout meeting you can do the same before joining.
Next you want to prepare your environment. Give yourself around 30 minutes before the interview time to setup your area and change out of your pajamas from online school. If you already feel ready you don't need to set aside a lot of time but I highly recommend it to calm your nerves because you feel prepared. Try to sit at a desk with at least your shirt and face looking presentable. (that's what they can see!) Next to me I like to have some research I did on the company and interviewee beforehand, printed or written out, that way I don't have to worry about the computer slowing from having multiple tabs open which could disrupt the interview. If it's a zoom meeting join early and try testing your mic and making sure your camera is centered the way you like it. If it's a hangout meeting you can do the same before joining.
questions they may ask
In an interview, besides giving you an overview of the company and what would be expected of you, they are going to want to know more about you. Your passions, interests, and goals are things that you should be ready to talk about as they want to see who they are inviting to be an image of their staff. Even as an intern you are representing the company and what they stand for so it's a big responsibility you need to prove you can handle. Below are some questions you should look over ahead of time so you can think over what you would say as a response. They may ask none of these they may ask all of them, but the important thing is to stay calm and confident in your answers.
Why did you choose to interview with this company for this position?
What’s the Best Team You’ve Ever Been a Part of, and Why?/What’s Your Ideal Team?
How do you plan to make an impact during your internship?
Tell Us About a Situation Where You Took Initiative or Took on a Leadership Role.
What do you expect to gain from this internship and what are your work expectations?
Why did you choose your major?
What are your plans after completing this internship and graduating from school?
What do you do when your schedule is interrupted? Give an example of how you handle this.
Provide an example where you had to take the lead in a group setting to overcome an obstacle.
Describe how you would handle a difficult relationship that you felt was holding you back on the job.
What skills do you have that will help you excel at this position and how do you plan to implement them?
How do you organize your time and prioritize tasks during a busy day?
What recent industry trends do you think are important to address and why?
How do you handle stress? Has it been a problem for you in the past?
after interview email
Dear _______,
Thank you for the opportunity to sit down with you (& ____) to discuss the _job position_. I am grateful to be considered for the position. I think I will be a great fit at _comapny name_, especially given my experience in ______. (possible reference to something talked about, something that excited you) I look forward to learning from you!
Send an email thank you the same day of the interview. If you're feeling extra go ahead and send a written letter and return to the office and give it to the secretary.
Thank you for the opportunity to sit down with you (& ____) to discuss the _job position_. I am grateful to be considered for the position. I think I will be a great fit at _comapny name_, especially given my experience in ______. (possible reference to something talked about, something that excited you) I look forward to learning from you!
Send an email thank you the same day of the interview. If you're feeling extra go ahead and send a written letter and return to the office and give it to the secretary.
Other tips
Impressive Questions to Ask an Interviewer:
- Can you describe a typical day in this type of role?
- How long have you been at the company and what makes you stay?
- How would you describe the work environment and cooperative culture?
- What are some of the goals for the company short and long term?
- How would my performance be measured?
- What type of career opportunities may open up down the road for someone starting at this type of position?
- What are some of the company initiatives regarding learning and development?
If you want to develop a personal connection with HR, publically thank them on Linkedin. Make a short post telling your network about how X recruiter went above and beyond to make you feel welcome, or about how accommodating and professional they were. Use the mention feature so they get a notification.
When asked to describe self say people person, perfectionist, creative thinker, efficient, highly organized, hardworking, loyal, responsible, or other traits similar to this. If you are having trouble with this try the tip below:
If asked your 3 best qualities use your Hogwarts House qualities:
Hufflepuff: hardworking, loyal, responsible
Ravenclaw: smart, curious, analytical
Slytherin: enterprising, clever, creative
Gryffindor: adventurous, confident, principled
- Can you describe a typical day in this type of role?
- How long have you been at the company and what makes you stay?
- How would you describe the work environment and cooperative culture?
- What are some of the goals for the company short and long term?
- How would my performance be measured?
- What type of career opportunities may open up down the road for someone starting at this type of position?
- What are some of the company initiatives regarding learning and development?
If you want to develop a personal connection with HR, publically thank them on Linkedin. Make a short post telling your network about how X recruiter went above and beyond to make you feel welcome, or about how accommodating and professional they were. Use the mention feature so they get a notification.
When asked to describe self say people person, perfectionist, creative thinker, efficient, highly organized, hardworking, loyal, responsible, or other traits similar to this. If you are having trouble with this try the tip below:
If asked your 3 best qualities use your Hogwarts House qualities:
Hufflepuff: hardworking, loyal, responsible
Ravenclaw: smart, curious, analytical
Slytherin: enterprising, clever, creative
Gryffindor: adventurous, confident, principled
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