In one of my earlier blogs, I discussed the steps to finding an internship. One of the most important steps in this process is the interview stage. In this blog, I will discuss how to prepare for an interview, act in the interview, and what to do after the interview. There are many different forms of interviews, but there are some basics that can be done to prepare no matter the type.
Before the interview
Make sure to research the company
Before your interview, make sure to research the company. Start by looking at their website. Check out their about page to learn more about them. You can make sure that your values and goals align with the company to make sure it's a good fit. Some companies also have info sessions to learn more about the company, so make sure to attend these too.
Talk with People at the Firm
In addition to checking out the company online, another great way to prepare is by talking to people at the firm through a simple email or LinkedIn message. They can help you with things you might not be able to find on the website, as some job applications are not posted online. Sometimes they can also guide you through the recruitment/interview process and give insights into things such as the company culture and personal experience at the firm.
During the Interview
In your interview, you will also be able to leverage the information you learned on the website and it will show that you did your due diligence to prepare for your interview. Come prepared to your interview with questions to ask your interviewer, as most interviews have a portion where you can ask questions. You want to make sure to come prepared with questions for this portion, as it will demonstrate how you are curious to learn more about the firm.
You can ask your interviewer about their experience at the firm, the culture, and why they chose the firm. You can also mention how you have spoken to other people at the firm. This will further signify your interest in the company by going through the extra effort to speak with people at the company.
After the Interview
There are also some steps you can take after the interview to help prepare for future interviews as well as enhance your past interviews. Make sure to thank your interviewers afterward, you can simply send them an email or LinkedIn dm letting them know that you appreciated them taking time out of their day to interview you.
Even if you don’t end up getting the job, you can email the company and ask them what you could improve upon in further interviews, and try to learn from their feedback. This is a great way to make the most out of your interview experience because even though you didn't get the offer, you can learn and grow from it. If you do get the offer, later on in the internship you can ask about your interview and what you did well / what you can work on.
The Process
To wrap up, preparing for an interview is very beneficial, as there are multiple things you can do to increase your chances of getting that internship you want. It is definitely a process, but you will find your own way the more you do it. If there are any other things you do to prepare for your interview, please put them in the comments below.
Matthew Pinto
Comments