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Interviewing is hard. It can be time-consuming, stressful, overwhelming, and oftentimes feel impossible. The hardest part can simply be starting the preparation process. How do we prepare? How does one present themselves in the most professional manner? When the interview is done, what do we do next? Designed to mitigate some tension and ease nerves, I've curated a few tips and tricks that I hope not only help you better understand the interview process, but yourself as well.
1. Start with a little research:
Whether you are interested in consulting, research, or creative pursuits, always make sure to research the entity you are applying to. Familiarize yourself with their company or organizational culture, any recent events or news, recruiter insights, and specifically, the position you are most interested in.
2. Create a tentative schedule for yourself:
Procrastinating the interview process can be easy, but staying updated on application and recruitment deadlines is essential. Creating a tailored schedule will help you feel more in control of the entire process and alleviate the uncertainty associated with the experience.
3. Be flexible in your responses:
It can be easy to script responses and perfectly manicured answers, but developing stories is more important. Having a catalog of leadership experiences you can pull from that fit a variety of questions will help you remain agile during the interview process.
4. Spend time preparing, but don't overwhelm yourself:
Take the time to research and understand your past leadership experiences, but don't spend too much time delving into obscure company details or scrolling through LinkedIn posts - you got this!
5. Leverage both on and off campus resources:
The UT campus is filled with valuable resources to help you prepare for the recruitment process. Spend some time on your school's career management page, reaching out to career coaches, or talking to any personal mentors.
6. Practice with peers and friends:
The interview experience can be nervewracking, but simulating the process beforehand with friends and colleagues can help you feel more comfortable. Developing your responses and refining your answers with trusted peers will help enhance your presentation before the big day.
7. Take a deep breath before and after the interview:
Make sure to breathe not only before and after the interview, but also during! Feel free to take pauses between your responses (this is highly encouraged!)
8. Be proud of yourself:
After all is said and done, give yourself a major pat on the back. Recruiting and interviewing is stressful and forces you to feel vulnerable, but preparation can help minimize some of these worries.
9. Be open to feedback and always ask questions:
Ask for feedback and advice after practice sessions as getting an outside perspective can be extremely helpful. At the end of interviews, have prepared questions ready to emphasize your interest for the role and company.
10. The interviewing process is iterative:
Taking the time to develop your communication style, interview skills, and leadership experience is an adaptive process. Be patient with yourself and recognize the bigger learning process at play.
Understanding yourself and your communication style throughout this entire process is critical, so be proud of all your hardwork!
About The Author:
Puja Satish '24
Accounting
Student Board Member - VP of EmBOLDen Blog
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