As the fall season begins, many students may be looking for a part-time job. While creating a strong resume is very important in getting selected for an interview, a person’s interview skills are also vital to landing the role. Included below are some interviewing tips for those in the application process.
- Dress Appropriately: When thinking about what to wear for an interview, it is important that you wear clothes that are both professional and fit what you will be doing for the job. For example, if you are interviewing to work as a cashier at a pizza restaurant, a nice shirt or blouse, and nice pants or a skirt will work. However, if you are interviewing for an office job that is a bit more formal, you should probably wear a fancier shirt and pants, and maybe even a blazer. Amazon and Target both have nice clothes for a relatively cheap price. You can look at second-hand stores in the Northport area for good deals too!
- Ask Questions: It is important to ask the person interviewing you questions about the role. Usually, there will be time at the end of the interview to ask questions that you may have. You could ask questions about the day-to-day tasks, as well as questions regarding the interviewer’s own professional experiences. Use this time to clarify any questions or concerns that you have about the role!
- Thank-You Notes: After the interview, it is a good idea to send the person that you spoke with a thank-you message for their time. Make sure to mention a few things that were discussed in the interview as well as reiterate your interest in the position. Send the thank-you note about 24-48 hours after the interview has ended. These notes go a long way with one study showing that 68% of hiring managers state that a thank-you message can make a difference as to whether or not a person is hired!
- Be Confident: Oftentimes, interviews can be very stressful processes, especially for students who do not have a lot of experience in this area. It is important to remain calm and remember that the person interviewing you is curious about your school and community involvements and is hoping that the conversation goes well. Also remember, you are also meeting with them to see if the role is a good fit for you!
