Successful Interviewing

I know that there are so many resources on this subject, but since this blog is dedicated to helping the YBP with everything, I can’t just leave this topic out (even though there are plenty of resources to help you with interviewing). I’ll just try to summarize the best advice I found and (as usual) I welcome all comments for anything that I missed.

First off, make sure that you are dressed appropriately, your breath is fresh, and you know exactly where you’re going. A simple search on Google Maps will help you out a lot. Don’t forget to research the company/firm/organization. Be prepared. You never know if the interviewer will ask you “what do you know about ___” and you had better have an answer. Of course, any interview answer can be faked, but I wouldn’t recommend that approach because it’s pretty transparent and ingenuine. You shouldn’t be interviewing for a job that you don’t really want, so taking the time to actually learn about the place shouldn’t be too painful. Also, it helps if you know what you want to do with your career/life. I know (trust me, I know) how hard it is to figure out what you want to do, and maybe you just want this job to help you find your way. But honestly, employers don’t want to hear that. So if you have to fabricate a story about how what they do at that company is exactly what you want to do, then do it. Just make sure that no matter what you say, you say it with confidence, passion, and that you are articulate.

Tips on staying calm:

1. Timing is everything: Don’t cause yourself undue stress before a big interview.

2. Arrive about 10 minutes before the interview is scheduled to begin. A ten-minute, pre-interview break will give you an opportunity to catch your breath and acclimate to your surroundings.

3. Visualize yourself succeeding in the interview. By doing so, you’re mentally preparing to handle the event in real life. Simply close your eyes and breathe deeply. Picture yourself greeting the interviewer confidently and answering tough questions with ease.

4. Show the interviewer that you’re calm, composed and in command during an interview. He’s likely to assume that you’ll be rock-solid on the job too.

5. Use these techniques to stay relaxed during an interview:

■ Breathing deeply and slowly (and quietly, of course).
■ Sit up straight and don’t cross your legs or arms.
■ Speak slowly and pause for a breath often.
■ Keeps your hands and jaw relaxed; no clenching.
■ Smile — it really is contagious!

6. When you feel yourself starting to panic and lose focus, pause. Tell yourself silently that you can do this. Take a deep breath. Refocus. And then resume interviewing. A quick ten-second pause can be all you need to regain your composure and get back in control.
Source

Female YBPs, click here for a book written just for you.

Seriously, there is so much information on this topic on the web, there is absolutely no reason why you, an already super qualified YBP, should not excel at any interview. Go get ‘em!