How can a college freshman prepare an interview for an internship position?
I am asking this question for a friend who recently got a position with the Parks Department in New York. He wants to know any good skills that he can keep in mind before his interview. #interviews #colleges
4 answers
Maria’s Answer
2. Look up the interviewer. Do some research of the interviewer via LinkedIn and on the company website, and try finding something you have in common or of their recent accomplishment. This might lead to a conversation that is work-related and you might have a better chance to connect on their thought process on how they usually work.
3. Get all the details in advance. Be on time and dress properly. Bring materials that the interview will need during the interview.
4. Decide what you want out of the internship. Write down few things you want to gain from this experience and what you want the employer to gain from your time there. Think about what you want from the internship and it will help you express yourself more clearly to the employer.
Alexys’s Answer
Hi Jonathan,
This is a great question and I think that it is very kind of you to ask for your friend. In my experience, one of the most important things to keep in mind in an interview setting is to be yourself. The potential employer wants to know what it would be like to work with you. You have to be genuine and authentic in order for them to be able to get to know you and have confidence in you being a valuable member of their team.
Second, I would stress the importance of being prepared for the interview. You should do research on the company, the job, the team, and even if given the opportunity, the person that you will be interviewing with. You might start by looking at recent news or publishing's that the company has released. Look at LinkedIn to see if the employees have shared any insight or experiences. Overall, be well rounded in your understanding of the business units and company goals. Relate this to how you might be able to add value or what skill sets you believe you will bring to the table.
Lastly, always have questions to ask the employees throughout the interview or at the end of the interview. This shows that you want to continue to learn more about them and the company.
Best of luck in your internship search and throughout the interview process!
Alexys recommends the following next steps:
Sylvia’s Answer
1. Understand the company as much as possible. Interviewer would want to find a person who take time to understand them and one that suits their culture.
2. Try to think from a employer's standpoint, what do they care about. Imagine if you are the interviewer, what would you ask?
3. Practice make perfects. Being nervous during interview is inevitable, but enough preparation will give you more confidence.
4. Be yourself. Do not lie or try to make up something just to impress the interviewer. It's not only the company finding a suitable person, but also you finding a employer/company that fits you.
Julie’s Answer
1) Be prepared- do your research; find out where you are going for the interview in advance
2) Dress to impress
3) Bring copies of your resume even if they already have them
4) Practice answering basic interview questions that are both skills and problem-solving based
5) Utilize your on-campus Office of Career Services to get help with acing the interview
I couldn't have answered this better myself! Those 5 points are great to prepare for any type of interview.
Michela Sibilia