An article to share with fellow students about how to prepare for an interview
I can’t be more grateful to get accepted for a summer internship at a business company. It is exciting to think about the internship and I can’t wait to start working. Although my heart is full of joy, gratitude and anticipation now, I was indeed overwhelmed and scared during the interview. I would like to share the limited knowledge I had about the interview with all of you here, so that you wouldn’t be as nervous as I was when you attend an interview.
The interview process I experienced was simple, yet, stressful. Interviewees were required to wear formal attire on that day. An office lady then directed all the interviewees into the waiting room, and we stayed there to wait for our turn. Simply staying in a room with a number of smart and stern-looking interviewees silently already added burden on me. It might happen to you too. However, you still have to sit still and look confident, which is not a trivial task at all.
When you have overcome the pressure in the waiting room, it will be finally your turn. Interviewers are of different styles. Some are nice and friendly, while others are strict and serious. The person who interviewed me on that day was the strict and serious type, which made me even more stressed. However, it would be all good when you can answer the questions with intelligence.
Here is the trick about the questions asked which is simple. However, you need to show your wisdom and thorough preparation in your answers. For example, they might ask you why you would like to work in their company. Then, you have to be able to tell them the features of the company and why these features make you aspire to work there. The interview usually takes about 20 minutes. It mainly consists of a verbal questions-answering section. Some companies also have a written assessment. After you have shown your ability and tried your best throughout the interview, all you can do is to wait for further news by the company. The entire process takes less than one hour, and this hour might probably be the most overwhelming, or even traumatizing hour of your life if you take the preparation work lightly.
You may think: the interview is too hard for me. It is impossible to survive in an interview! Don’t be so hopeless, because there are always ways to overcome the hurdles. In the following, I will tip you off with skills that are noteworthy for all of you.
This is undoubtedly the most important thing, your manner. Manner doesn’t only include your gestures and your language. How you look also matters a lot. Of course I am not saying that you have to be a beauty queen in order to be accepted. By how you look, I mean how you dress. Always wear formal attire in an interview. As a lady, a suit, a pencil skirt are essential. Simply wearing them is not enough. You have to look confident but humble. The simplest way to do it is to believe in yourself. You have spent hours on preparing for the interview. You are good enough already. Just be confident and show the interviewers what you have got.
Second, prepare thoroughly. In the interview, the questions asked require your great preparation. You can try to come up with the possible questions. Also, good research is the key. Look up the information of the company and remember them. Understanding how the system works and knowing the features of the company. All these will definitely help you to outperform others in the interview.
Companies care a lot about your skills of giving instant responses. They may ask you the questions that you have never thought about or they may challenge your answers. Just keep calm, think quickly and explain yourself. You can also prepare it by having a mock interview with your friends and family. Then, you will be familiar with giving immediate responses and the interviewers will be impressed.
Last but not least, show your intelligence. To be honest, everyone can search the information from the internet and recite them all. But, not everyone has critical thinking and their own point of view. Never cease to impress the interviewers. Tell them your personal views and perspectives. Also, show them your unique features and personalities. You can do it by some ‘brain-stretching’. Watch more news and know more about the world. You can be intelligent, overcome the hurdles, and deal with the stress if you are well-prepared. The golden rule of success is always hard work. Preparation eradicates cowardness. My tips might not matter at all at the end of the day. It is your effort that truly matters. The interview might be an ordeal for me, but I believe you are able to not just overcome it, but slay it. I wish all of you good luck.