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How to Properly Interview for the Internship You Want?
I have a job interview for an internship that I badly want next Friday.
It’s working in the controller’s office at a major transportation hub in New York City, easily commutable to where I live in the suburbs. This is a final interview with four people who work in the department where I would be interning. They are looking to hire four interns, and will be making their decisions that day.
One thing that would be great about this, is that it’s not only a paid internship but with permission from the finance department, I could possibly get this counted as a finance elective.
I am so enthusiastic because I have heard great things about the company, it’s well respected, and in the future I would like to work there. Although this particular branch has had issues with train accidents… not something that I will mention to them.
Honestly, this opportunity means so much to me. My goal after graduation is to get a job in my field, get myself into a position where my boyfriend and I can live together, and marry. Everything is going to happen quickly because I have this and two more semesters before I graduate.
Truthfully, I would say that I have an amazing background for an internship. I have a 3.93 GPA in college, I am involved in the honors advisory board, I have been accepted into Beta Gamma Sigma, and I was the president of the history club. Plus, I’m attending school on a transfer scholarship at one of the only AASCB-certified schools in my area. This is important because I am a business administration major pursuing a concentration in Finance and MIS.
A major concern for me is the fact that somehow I have not held a steady job since January 2014. I worked two jobs last summer, but one was only temporary and the lady who had worked at the job previously went back to work, and another one I was fired from for not “being a good fit” although they would not tell me why. I suspect that I did not fit in at the company, because the hiring manager could not tell me a single thing about what I did wrong.
I know that this is not a major point in getting an internship, since many interviewers do not expect for college students to have much real world experience. Instead, they choose to look at things, like your GPA, your leadership skills, what your professional references have to say about you (usually professors or family friends at this point), etcetera.
In the past I would say that I have been unsuccessful with job interviews, either that or it’s really hard to get an internship. Some might disagree with me, because I only go on a few interviews before getting a job. I have come close to getting the position during internships. One company I just needed to speak to one hiring manager, before they made their final decision, but they chose not to have me speak to her. Another one I did not fit into the culture of the company, but I think that this might have to do with the fact that they seemed to care so much about what your parents did for a living.
Most of my life my mother and father are working class people, who support me in everything I do, but they do not have college degrees.
However, if it’s a job that I really want, mostly I get denied for it. Even if the odds look like they are in my favor, and the HR person really seems to like me.
I’ve heard start a conversion with the receptionist, be very nice and polite to him or her, this person is often ignored but they sometimes have a major say over who gets hired.
The obvious wear a business suit, with small accessories, if desired, and closed-toed shoes. I am even going to get the one suit that I purchased last year dry-cleaned.
This is especially important in my field because financial analysts (which is my desired field) are expected to hold themselves to a very professional standard in their dress, more so than with most other positions.
Try to start small talk, either about the weather or something else. Look the person asking the question directly in the eye, when speaking to them. Don’t look at what they’re writing. Show up 15 minutes early, if earlier go to the bathroom and make sure that you look professional.
Does anyone who has more success with the job market, has direct experience with hiring interns, or who has even worked an internship before graduation have any advice for me? I’m on spring break, so is there a specific site that I should go to, videos that I should watch?
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Congratulations for making it to the final interview. This interview is much different than the one or other interviews that came before it. For one thing you will be talking with the people you will be working with.
I can tell this internship is very important to you from the amount of words you used in writing to us. This is point number one to remember when talking to these people.
1) Try not to be too wordy in your answers to these questions. Answer the question and make your point then wait for the next question or follow up question.
2) There will be some open discussions about you and who you are, more of a friendly conversation. Try not to monopolize the conversation but be friendly.
How to dress.
You are going to wear a suit. I assume it is a dress or skirt. You do not want the skirt being too short. Office style is different than casual style. You want your skirt to be longer than what is the standard for your age at school. No more than an inch or two above your knee. You should not sit there constantly tugging your skirt down.
DO NOT WEAR A WATCH. If you are not wearing a watch you have no reason to be looking at it. Worst mistake an interviewee can make is to look at their watch.
I'm sure you are very pretty with out makeup so go easy with any you want to wear. Some lip gloss and eyeliner is all you should need.
Talking to the receptionist is nice but remember the receptionist is there to greet you, announce you have arrived and then get back to the work he or she has to do. Engaging them in conversation is not always a good thing. If you did not do so in the other interviews it is not something you should do now.
Arrive early by 5 to 10 minutes so that you are there when they are ready for you. My Commanding Officer in the Air Force told us if we had an appointment with him and were not there 5 minutes early we were late. I have used that principal my entire life and I have gaged others by it as well. Worst thing you can do is keep people waiting. If somehow you get stuck in traffic, and it happens. You call and advise them with an offer to reschedule rather than keep them waiting. Do not leave them wondering where you are.
Most importantly is to relax and be yourself, they want to see how you will fit in. There is one question I always asked and was always asked when interviewing. If you have not been asked this question already you may be asked it next week. There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Honesty is what has to be the base of the answer to the question.
The question is: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years? Or Why do you want this position?
Just relax and be yourself.
Good luck.
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First off, congratulations on making it this far in the interview process! That alone is something to be proud of and excited about.
The best thing you can do is research what are common questions asked in your field and brainstorm possible answers before you get to the interview site. Many of my friends in business-oriented fields are aware of some basic questions that most interviewers ask and some problem-solving type questions. Research what may come up in an interview so you are prepared beforehand.
Also look into the company's culture and mission statement. Come up with clear reasons why you are drawn to this internship and want to work there. Interviewers want to know that this is not just one possible job among many for you - they want to see that you are passionate about the company.
Finally, find something you can connect with the interviewer about that goes deeper than the weather. Your qualifications are obviously the most essential part to securing a job (and hot damn a 3.93 is an AMAZING GPA), but connecting with an interviewer on a personal level can help drive the interview home. It shouldn't be anything that may be reserved for private affairs or that may seem inappropriate, but if you are both from the same home town, have the same alma mater, or find another cool thing to bond over, that should be emphasized.
Relax and know that you have some stunning qualifications that not everyone else has. Go forth confident and prepared to showcase how great your work can be!
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