'Tis the season for job and internship interviews and the stress and anxiety that come with it. It is that time of the year where we begin to stress about our summer plans and if we are going to be successful and worth it in the end. We all know how crazy this time can be for us all, so here are some useful tips that will lower your stress levels when it comes to applying for these.
1. Look good, feel good.
It has been proven that if you feel good about your appearance and the way that you look, then you will feel more confident. Make sure you are wearing an A+ outfit to an interview to help boost your strong interview skills. Also, do not forget to "dress the part." Some companies have a more laid-back work environment and only wear t-shirts and jeans, so make sure you always go with the vibe of the company. With that being said....
2. Do your homework.
If you don't know the person who will be interviewing you, google them. By doing this, you can better gauge their personality and find out about their past accomplishments. Also, make sure you are learning information about the company. This way, when the interviewer asks if you have an questions at the end, you will not be asking anything that could easily be accessed on their websites. Companies will be able to see that you are knowledgeable, which is a plus.
3. Be personal and engaged.
While the interviewer may be having a very cookie-cutter interaction with you instead of a conversation, do not lose your enthusiasm. Keeping up the excitement and energy will show that you are not a rock and actually have a personality. Plus, you will look more invested in the job.
4. Ask questions.
Although stated before, this one is important. If you seem like you are genuinely interested in a company by asking them questions, they will see how dedicated you are. By doing this, you are also navigating the interview the way you want to, and you can also get all the answers you want.
5. Be thankful.
It can be a pain to take time out of your busy day for an interview, but regardless of how it goes, always show appreciation to the interviewer by thanking them for their time. The reality of it is that they have a busy life too, and if they took the time to talk to you, they must have seen some kind of potential.
No matter how much you keep these tips in mind, you will still be stressed, and that is OK! This is that time in everyone's life where it happens. Just take a deep breath and do your best. Good luck!