First Impressions: The Difference Between a Lasting Impression and a Last Impression
I feel like I have done a million interviews since I entered the work force at the young age of 16. Some have been for jobs, some for leadership positions, and some for entry into special programs. Even when I rushed a sorority, that was kind of an interview process. The goal of an interview is to stand out, in a good way. To be calm but excited, to be confident, yet not cocky. I know the basic rules of interviewing, but since I am human, I have made some mistakes, which I have also learned from. I have accidentally been late, started packing up before an interview was over, mistaken an interviewer for a secretary, and also gone out the night before an early interview. The problem with interviews is that I don't get back an instant score card and therefore I never know how big the impact of my slip up is. I could do something wrong and not be aware of it, but I could also not know what I am doing wrong and keep doing it. I have had interviews where I feel like I have done an amazing job and wowed the interviewer, but have not gotten the job, and I have also left an interview nearly in tears and landed the job. Through my experiences, I have learned the most important rule to interviews is that it is not the time to recite my resume, but a time to show a real enthusiasm for the job, convey how personable I can be, or to explain unique traits about myself that are not on my resume. So although an interview is never perfect, and the same rules do not apply to all interviews, I feel the best thing I can do it just be my-professional-self. And it never hurts to mention that I am a "quick learner", even if it took me 3 weeks to learn how to use Excel.Labels: advice, interview blunders
Posted by Suzanne on 11/11/2008 07:00:00 PM
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3 Comments:
To be fair, Excel can be quite the obstacle to overcome for many people! I think that experience through interviews can help prepare us for the career world and business world overall. Training yourself to turn your phone off, "to be confident yet not cocky," as you said... these are all tips for after the interview as well. As important as it is to nail the interview to even make it to the employee stage, it is also very important to keep up appearances and tailor your demeanor to the company's specific needs. It sounds like you've learned a lot from your experiences which will hopefully help you as you move on to the post-graduate world.
It is very true Suzanne, that many of your college experiences and entry level job positions are what prepare you for life outside of college. These entry level positions get you acquainted with the work force and make use of many of the interviewing techniques discussed on this blog. Amanda also makes a great point that just because you've got the job doesn't mean it's necessarily in the bag. Most employers have a window of time for whether to hire or fire you, so make sure you take the interview and conversation skills you learn along the way and use them to the best of your ability
I never even started job hunting till I was 18. You already had a lot of experience at a young age. My interview skills aren't that honed yet unlike yours. I learned a lot from what you posted here.
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