Hello and welcome back to my life. Part of being a post-grad job seeker is interviewing for jobs, which can sometimes be intimidating. Yesterday I had an interview for a job I really want, and I think the interview went well. Here are a few simple tips to prepare for interviews and make an excellent first impression!

The Look– Whether in person or on Zoom, I want to appear professional. I put on a fancy top and crisp black jeans. My makeup routine is incredibly simple, and I still look like me. I just apply foundation, blush, mascara, eyebrows, and Chapstick. I may include eyeliner if I’m feeling particularly glamourous, but I’m no YouTube beauty guru.

The Layout– I do my interviews at the desk in my basement apartment. Since my bed is visible from my computer camera, I have a nifty trick. I use a silk screen (see below) and create a little private room for my interview

The Prep– I fully believe in preparation and professionalism. Before the interview, I like to go to the “About” page of the company site to get a sense of their culture and values. If they seem like a small and tight-knit team that celebrates true diversity and seeks to make a tangible positive impact in the world, then I am most definitely interested in working with them. I also refer back to a book called The Job Search Process by Todd Palmer, which has some helpful tips for job seeking and interview prep. I’ll also review the job description in the application and highlight the skills I can talk about that match their criteria.

Show Time– In the interview itself, I aim to be polite and inquisitive above all else. I take some notes (with permission), and focus on relating the interviewer’s job description back to my skills. Before actually getting into it, I tell the interviewer to ask me to repeat myself when needed, to avoid any awkward silences or misinterpretations.

These are just my tips from experience, and I’m always learning and improving. Interviews can be enlightening and even enjoyable with a little research and preparation. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you on the flip side. 🙂