Interview Tips: Preparation and Dedication

You submitted your resume and received a notification that you were selected for an interview. Congratulations, you have conquered the first hurdle of the hiring process. Now comes the next challenge: the interview. As a student myself, I know firsthand that interviews can be intimidating. However, with proper preparation you can feel confident both going into and coming out of it. The Career Center at Seton Hall is here to support us in establishing the proper groundwork. Here are a few tips I find useful when preparing for an interview.

Consider your past experiences

Employers want to learn about your skills and unique experiences during the interview. Often, they will ask for specific examples of times you showed determination, problem solving skills, or other qualities. Experiences in school, extracurricular activities, or your home life can all demonstrate valuable transferrable skills. For example, I participate in plays with the Seton Hall Theater Council. If I were to talk about this activity in an interview, I could highlight my time management skills for rehearsals and/or how my ability to work in teams has been strengthened by the experience. Take the time to think of when you worked hard or showed determination and craft stories that you can use to highlight your professional identity during the interview.

Practice out loud

Once you have identified key moments that you want to highlight during your interview, the next step is to practice putting them into words. Practicing how you will respond to common interview questions helps teach you how to formulate responses, what sounds natural, and how you can highlight your best qualities. I find it helpful to take a video or voice memo and then watch/listen to my responses to check my tone and rate of speech. During this time, it is also important to consider your body language. Good posture, clear tone and eye contact show confidence and preparedness. You can use Virtual Speech mock interview software through The Career Center to help you practice. To utilize this tool, schedule an appointment for The Career Center through Compass, and select the "VR/Mock Interview" option. For more information about this service, check out my other article about it here!

Dress to impress

Proper attire demonstrates that you are serious about the position. Different industries have varying expectations on interview attire, however professional attire is the safest option. Personally, my go-to outfit is either a blazer and a skirt or a pants suit. If you need professional attire, check out Pirate’s Closet at The Career Center in Bayley Hall, Room 209 for shirts, pants, blazers, skirts, shoes, or whatever else you may need. To make a reservation for Pirate’s Closet, follow this link.

Take a deep breath!

No matter how much preparation you have done, it is completely normal to still be nervous on the day of the interview. Once the day comes, one of the most important things you can do is take a deep breath and relax. You have taken the time to prepare, strengthened your interview skills and dressed in the proper attire: you are ready.

I know how overwhelming it can feel to prepare for an interview all on your own. We as Seton Hall students have access to so many resources to help guide us through this process in whichever way works best for us. For more resources, check out The Career Center’s web based tools here.

Schedule an appointment with your Career Center advisor through Compass to talk about more interviewing strategies and tips. Be sure to follow The Career Center's Instagram (@careercentershu) and check Handshake for any upcoming events and opportunities.

Categories: Campus Life