I have a job interview on Friday. The job is to be an Student Assistant at the Gift Administration office for my University. They are looking to hire someone with administrative skills to complete tasks and report to the coordinator mangers and directors. I have 6 months in experience in administrative work during my time in AmeriCorps, but I did administrative work before my contract for AmeriCorps during my Senior year of High School (As just an Office Aide). I am also self-employed.
This (potential) job is a dream come true. I did a phone interview last week, and the person who called me said they wanted me to come in for an in-person interview This will be my very first in-person job interview, so I am nervous and no sure what to expect.
I am open to everyone’s advice/tips/experiences/ and thoughts!!
I’m mainly nervous for the best way to answer questions. I know to dress professionally, consider the importance of appearance, importance of a good hand shake, keeping eye contact, body language, etc., it’s just the actual interview I am freaking out for!!
Be ready with questions to ask them about the job and organization. Not questions about salary or benefits (save those for if they make an offer, then ask before accepting them).
Be ready for the tricky “what are your strengths & weaknesses” question. You can make a misstep either way (we’d be happy to critique your possible answers).
Watch for an opportunity to connect personally during the interview. One of my first interviews out of college, the person (guy about my dad’s age) had a painting in their office that was one that my own dad had hanging in his office. I commented on it, we hit it off, and he hired me and was a professional mentor for me for many years even after I moved on from that job. I still think the personal connection helped us get off on the right foot.
Good luck! Have a couple of answers ready and practiced for the obvious questions (something like an elevator speech) but don’t just rattle them off by rote.
And remember that you’re trying to find out if their office is a match for you just as much as they’re trying to figure out how well you would fit in there.
When you are asked questions, be ready to give answers and also examples. For example, if someone asks you “What is your greatest strength?” and you say “Communication,” be ready with an anecdote of a time where you showed good communication skills that maybe defused a conflict or enhanced a task.
If you are asked the infamous weakness question, do give a real weakness (none of this “I work too hard!” or “I care too much!” stuff), but follow up with how you are working on that weakness.
Does your career placement office offer mock interviews? That could be helpful.
One question that I always appreciate when I am interviewing is “what traits do you think are most important to succeeding in this job?” If you can follow up with examples showing you have those, it helps. In an administrative role, be prepared to give examples of how you can multi-task, are organized, and are willing to pitch in and do whatever is needed. In a development office, being personable is important as well, so do smile, relax, and connect as best you can with your interviewer. Good luck!
@LostHobo143, that is lousy advice. Yes, of course sell yourself and be confident in your skills, but don’t oversell yourself. The interviewer likely can tell, and you won’t get the job.
Smile, give a confident hand shake. If there is more than one interviewer be sure to make eye contact with all of them.
Be prepared to answer questions such as “tell me about yourself”- don’t get too personal, stick to your academic/professional pursuits/goals.
As someone mentioned be prepared for behavioral questions. Look over the job description and have examples prepared to demonstrate how you have exhibited those skills in the past. Always give examples to back up your answers- your “power stories”- keep the word STAR in mind when formulating your responses- Describe the SITUATION, what was your TASK, What ACTION did you take, what was the RESULT. Relate stories that reflect on you in a positive light. Use examples that are current such as from college group projects, internships, activities and community service. Don’t go back to high school examples.
Strength and weakness are common questions- Be sure your strength related to the position you are applying for. A follow up question could be- “how will that strength help you in this position”. For a weakness focus on a skill you are improving rather than a character flaw.
Send a thank you note within a few hours. If you have been communicating by e-mail that is fine but a nice handwritten note makes a good impression too. Mention something you talked about in the interview and confirm you interest in the position.
True: DON’T get too personal. Young people’s tolerance for what’s OK to reveal is pretty high. But not valued in the business setting.
Also scrub your online presence. People regularly are being passed over b/c of those photos of that binge -blow out night on the town w/the buddies. Trust me on this. People are free to act a fool – but your potential employers will try to shy away from those people – especially those so unwise and un-savvy as to spilling it all over their social online presence.
