A Recipe for the Perfect Interview

With summer around the corner, many college students are on the lookout for their next adventure. When applying for a position, there’s one common element that remains the same across all fields of work: being interviewed. Whether you’re looking for a full-time position or searching for an internship, here’s a step-by-step interview recipe to help you land the role of your dreams.  

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

Prepare a list of common interview questions you may be asked. Many common questions address your background and skills you possess. Identify three soft skills and three hard skills you have that reflect the qualifications for the job. Think of examples that demonstrate your proficiency with these skills.  

Recall your past work history, and a variety of situations you’ve had to deal with. Can you think of a situation where you have led a project? Can you recall a time when things didn’t go as planned, and how you handled it? When you’ve had a problem with a co-worker, what did you do? Identify 2-4 stories about how you’ve handled adversity, conflict, or a challenge – and the positive way you made an impact on the outcome. 

Familiarize yourself with the values of the organization. Something about the company stood out to you enough that you chose to apply there – identify what that is. Visit the organization’s website and compile a list of values that are either implicitly or explicitly stated. Determine which of these values align with your own personal beliefs, and how that ties into your desire to work there. 
 
Brainstorm 1-3 questions about the job, organization, or position to ask at the end of the interview.  Good questions demonstrate a level of committed interest in the role, and are a great opportunity to show you’ve done your research on the company. This will be your time to lead the conversation in the interview – make it count!  
 
Step 2: Mix it Together

Practice responses to common interview questions. When answering, keep things in sets of threes: three soft skills, three strengths, three personal goals, etc. This way, you can mentally “bullet point” your ideas to make sure you address them all. The more familiar you become with your bullet points, the easier it will be to answer similar questions.  Don’t forget to explain the “why” behind each bullet point!  

Most interviews will ask a question that begins along the lines of, “Tell me about a time when...”. This is your opportunity to share a personal story from Step 1. Decide which story most closely fits the question. Then, tell it using the STAR method – which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Overview the situation you were facing, the task you were assigned, the action you took to make it happen, and the result which ensured. This is a great way to make sure you clearly highlight each stage of the scenario and how you handled it.  

Reference specific objectives, numbers, and timelines when possible. Incorporating metrics is a more credible approach than presenting an abstract idea. For example, saying “I increased Instagram followers by 10% in the span of 3 months,” is a stronger statement than “I gained a bunch of social media followers.” 

As Simon Sinek once said, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” The same goes for marketing yourself in a job interview! A genuine desire to further the mission of the organization stands out in a pool of candidates. Be sure to explain how the mission or values of the organization align with your own beliefs to show your personal passion for the job at hand. 
 
Step 3: Time to Bake!  

On the day of your interview, make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to arrive. Plan your route ahead of time and account for any traffic which may arise. Being late is not a good first impression. 

Wear something that is “one step up” from regular dress in the office environment. If normal office attire is business casual, wear something that fits the bill of business formal. If you’re unsure, always lean toward the dressier side. It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed!  

Remember that interviews are a two-way street. The very root of an interview is a conversation between an employer and potential employee to see if they would be a good match for one another. Although interviews may primarily consist of questions for the candidate, most organizations give candidates an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview. Asking questions and observing social interactions between employees during an interview can help you determine if the organization is a good culture fit. You deserve to find a working environment in which you feel fulfilled.  

Don’t forget to bring a positive and professional attitude to top it off.  

Happy interviewing!  
 
For more career resources, including additional interviewing tips, or to request a career advising appointment, visit Webster’s Career Planning and Development Center.