Job Interview Tips for the College Senior Afraid to Graduate

Image from Reckless Clue Blog

Everyone knows at least a couple super seniors who are afraid to grow up and consider college their own personal Never Never Land.  Some people don’t want to leave until they get married, yet play video games instead of socialize.  Some people don’t want have a financial incentive to leave since their parents are footing the education bill.  Some people enjoy academic learning and prefer it to the grown-up 9 to 5 job.  And some people are afraid of rejection, so the interview process terrifies them.

Let me quell your fears with five simple tips.

1. Have a resume that is worth reading to send in before the interview.

One of my professors once said “Don’t blame the will of God on your crappy resume.”  By that remark, he meant that the reason you get turned down from a job might not be because it wasn’t part of God’s plan for you.  Instead, it might simply be because your resume is terrible.  When meeting with professional marketer Alexandra Watkins of Eat My Words, she advised me to put attention grabbing words on my resume that hint to a story behind the phrasing.  She said that if you have captivating language, it will intrigue the employer to call you in for a formal interview.  Also, sending in a resume before the interview, helps the employer have some background information to guide questions to ask you.

2. Practice with a mock interview.

Have a friend look at your resume and ask you some typical job interview questions.  This process might seem a little silly, but if you take it seriously it will get you thinking about your responses prior to the interview.  Then, when in the real interview you will feel more comfortable and confident in your responses.  It will eliminate awkward, nervous pauses.

3. Don’t under or over dress.

Find out beforehand what the typical dress code is for the job.  Many people worry about underdressing, which is an issue, however lots of people don’t consider the effects of overdressing.  Underdressing for an interview of course makes you look sloppy and lazy.  Conversely, overdressing makes you look foolish and pretentious.  Once you figure out the typical dress code, dress slightly nicer than that.

4. Do your research.

With the competitive workforce, it puts you ahead if you research the company beforehand.  Learn about the business and the job position.  Come to the interview with intelligent questions.  Know how to verbalize specifically why you want the job and why you are the right candidate for the job.

Write a “thank you” note and network.

After completing the interview, write a “thank you” note to the interviewer for meeting with you before you leave the building.  Hand the note to the secretary to pass along to the interviewer.  When interacting with secretaries treat them with the utmost respect; secretaries have more sway in the hiring process than people give them credit.  When it comes between two similarly qualified candidates, it is not out of the question for an employer to ask the secretaries their impression of the two candidates.  When you get home, send a LinkedIn invitation to the interviewer.  Both the actions of writing a “thank you” note and sending a LinkedIn invitation show the potential employer that you are thoughtful and proactive.  It will set you apart in a positive way.

I hope you find these tips helpful.  Comment and share your own interview tips below.  And with my suggestions and readers’ suggestions hopefully we can join in the effort to dispel what I like to call “Peter Pan Syndrome” among college students.