How to Ace Interviews
Imagine a high-schooler named Bob walking into an interview for a new job that he is excited for.
The first question follows: “Tell me something about yourself”
Bob slurps his slushy and responds with: “Ummm, I really like to play Fortnite, and Tiktok is super fun too”
The interviewer looks up and proceeds with: “Oh okay, let’s move on. Why did you decide to apply for this…”
He responds with: “I want this position because it pays really well and I really want these new shoes that I saw at the store last week and I think that like if I make more money I could probably buy them.”
The interviewer looks slightly taken aback, but proceeds with the next question: “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
Bob responds with: “I’m super good at making PB&J sandwiches and once my TikTok blew up and I got like 300 likes so I’m sorta kinda famous too. Oh yeah, I just remembered, I’m like so bad at working with people because I get annoyed like super duper easily.”
The interview ends shortly after and Bob receives an email saying, unfortunately, he did not get the job.
With preparation and practice, it is easy to turn the interview around and land the job! Interviews are a great way to present yourself beyond what is written on paper. They give you a route to express your interest in a company and a way to elaborate on your achievements. Not only that, but they give employers a way to observe your engagement with the position.
An interview is, ironically, like a PB&J sandwich. The first part would be the prepping stage, where you would lay out the ingredients, like the bread, peanut butter, and jelly. During the prepping stage, it is crucial to prepare for the interview. Start by researching the company and the specific role that you are applying for. From there, practice interviewing and use both common interview questions and specific questions that are related to the position you are aiming for. It can be beneficial to practice with a friend and ask for feedback. It is also important to review your resume and to make sure that you are able to elaborate on what you have written in case the interviewer asks follow-up questions. Also, make sure that you know when and where the interview is.
The next stage is the constructing stage, where you would assemble the sandwich together. This would be the actual interview, where all the preparation you did comes into play. Make sure to arrive early and dress professionally. Refrain from bringing food and drinks into the interview. During the interview, make sure that you let the interviewer finish their question before answering and listen carefully. Make sure that your answers are on topic and use previous experience to strengthen your answers. Additionally, make sure that you maintain eye contact and watch your body language. Finally, make your interest in the position known, and thank your interviewer.
The last stage would be where you enjoy your sandwich! After you finish your interview, it can be very helpful to email your interviewer and thank them for taking the time to interview you. With these tips in mind, you will be able to ace your interviews and get the job!
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