How do I prepare before the interview?
Before the interview, get a good night’s sleep, eat, and give yourself some positive encouragement before leaving. Interviewers expect you to be a little nervous, but if you can’t find your words and you’re sweating out of your clothes, they may not feel confident that you can handle high pressure situations. Take time to calm your nerves with breathing or grounding exercises.
It’s important to communicate any accessibility/accommodation needs you might have before the interview. This can be discussed when the initial email or phone call for the interview is received or shortly after. For example, if you require closed captioning during a Zoom call or a wheel-chair accessible location, you can confirm those details with your interviewer as you confirm the date of your interview. Try not to request accommodations too close to the interview, but if something changes or is out of your control make sure to let the interviewer know as soon as possible.
Arrive ahead of time whether your interview is in-person or virtual. If you are in-person give yourself time to find the location of the interview and if you are virtual take the time to test your camera and microphone and ensure your surroundings are clean.
How do I introduce myself?
When you arrive at the location of the interview, be pleasant with whomever you meet. A quick hello to the receptionist or holding a door for someone in the building can make a great impression.
If you are interviewing virtually, be patient as the interviewer sets up. Once in the interview, smile and introduce yourself with your name and thank the interviewer for calling you in. Feel free to express excitement for the position or make brief small talk with the interviewer before the questioning begins.
How do I conduct myself during the interview?
Your body language is very important during an interview. You want to remain relaxed and professional: remember to sit up straight, make eye contact, and try not fidget or fiddle with objects.
When answering questions, be honest, relate your answers back to examples of your experience, and be confident and proud of your achievements. Feel free to jot notes as questions are being asked and do not feel embarrassed about asking the interviewer to repeat a question or taking time to think before responding.
It might be helpful to have a glass of water with you to sip between answers.
What do I do once the interview ends?
At the end of most interviews you will be asked if you have any questions. Come in prepared with questions you want to ask about the position or the company, or follow-up with questions you thought of during the interview.
If the interviewer hasn’t made it clear, politely ask when you might hear back from them and make sure to thank them for their time. Once you get home, write a quick email thanking them again and state that you are looking forward to hearing from them by the given deadline.