How to Master The Interview Process and Catch the Golden Snitch

Acing an interview is a bit like catching the Golden Snitch in a Quidditch Match.  While it doesn’t guarantee success, it goes a long way in stacking the odds in your favor.

If you are at the interview stage of the application process, it’s because the company felt your skills and background fit the bill! Yet, resumes and cover letters are simply paper and words; those hiring want to get to know the real you. Interviews offer a chance to demonstrate your abilities, professionalism, and persona to win a company over. At the same time, a negative interview can send a great candidate to the bottom of the pile.

Never let that happen to you! Follow these tips before, during, and after your interview, and you’ll be riding away on your Firebolt in no time.

Before:

1) Research the Company and the Position Description:

At the interview stage many employers are looking to see if you are the right cultural fit for their office and are passionate about their work. Take the time to explore the company’s webpage, peruse any literature you may have, review the position description if provided, and read any recent news articles about the company. Use this information to prepare educated questions and tailor interview answers to company interests!

2) Practice Makes Perfect:

Interviewing, like all skills, is improved with practice. Therefore, you should never go into an interview without preparation. Find family members, friends, or University Career Advisors, to serve as the “interviewer.” It may feel funny to do full length practice interviews but it is really important to get comfortable with the process from start to finish.

3) Know your Application and Resume:

You should be 100% prepared to walk interviewers through every detail on your resume as well as respond to questions related to your application. For example, if you’ve stated in your resume that you were in Investment Club, be prepared to speak about your experience.

4) Take Care of Logistical Details as Early as Possible:

Is it a phone interview? Make sure you know who’s calling whom, and that the phone numbers are correct. Make sure that your phone is charged and that you’re in a relatively quiet location during the call.

Is the interview in person? Know the address and route, while taking into account transportation time and any other potential delays. Make sure your clothing is clean, ironed, and ready to wear before the day of your interview.

During:

5) Arrive Early:

Aim to arrive at least 15 minutes early so that you won’t be stressed if you get lost or have hard time parking. During the wait, take the chance to settle nerves and make sure your appearance is neat.

6) Act with Confidence:

Confidence, not stubbornness, can turn an average interview into a great one. If you speak with confidence and assurance, interviewers are more likely to respect your answers. You’re only as correct as you think you are — believe in yourself!

7) Take Advantage of Pauses:

Take the pause after a question is asked to compose your answer. Thinking through what you are about to say will prevent stuttering and “ums” while responding.

8) Don’t overstress “Hardball” Questions:

Employers might ask you a question that you haven’t prepared for, and that’s okay. Think through your answer intelligently, and come up with a coherent response. They don’t necessarily expect you to have prepared an answer, as they’re often just testing your ability to think on your feet.

After:

9) Send a Follow-Up Email the Day Of:

Send your interviewers an email thanking them for the interview. Be succinct and professional — this is your last chance to make a great impression!

10) Consider Sending a Thank You Card:

If you’d like to thoroughly impress your future employers, handwrite a thank you card and drop it in the mail as you leave. Snail mail and handwriting show that you took the extra effort!

Now you’re almost ready to run onto that Quidditch pitch!

Last thing to do?

Believe that you are awesome.

We can’t reiterate this enough, and of course it’s easier said than done. Yet when you’re feeling overly modest, you’re really not doing yourself justice. Think of the interview as a simple conversation, and know that the people on the other side of the desk have been in your position. They must already think you have potential if you’ve gotten this far!

Take some deep breaths, and act with as much confidence as possible. With the right preparation before, during and after the interview, you’ll have caught that Snitch-and have a grown-up job unrelated to Harry Potter-in no time at all.