After you’ve completed your internship applications, you may be qualified enough to get called in for an interview! Though this means that the company was impressed by your credentials, interviews will often be the final factor determining whether or not you’re offered the internship, so its very important to be well prepared. Read on for five tips that will help you ace your interview and land that dream internship!
1. Research the Company Beforehand
While you probably already did some background research on the company when you first applied and wrote your cover letter, it’s always a good idea to refresh your memory before your interview so that you will be able to answer questions intelligently, as well as ask your interviewer insightful questions that can’t be answered by a simple Google search. Going on the company’s website and reading its mission statement and “about page” as well as reading any recent news about the company should put you in a good position for your interview.
2. Dress to Impress
Though you may like to try out the latest trends, you don’t want your sense of style to become a distraction in a workplace environment. Play it safe with classic and conservative pieces, such as a pencil skirt with a modest blouse or blazer. You’ll also want to stick with a simple hairstyle and steer clear of bright nail polish and loud accessories so that you come across as professional as possible.
3. Bring the Necessary Materials
Even though your interviewer is already aware of your credentials, you’ll want to bring a few extra copies of your resume to refresh their memory, as well as to keep in front of you so that you can discuss your past work experience more efficiently. It’s also an excellent idea to bring work samples that are relevant to the position for which you’re applying so you can give your interviewer an idea of what you are capable of producing.
4. Stay organized
Even if you brought the right materials, fishing a folded resume out of a pocket-sized purse will make you come across as disorganized and unprofessional. You can keep everything together by investing in a great bag. A great choice is the Samsonite Xenon 2 Messenger Bag. With accordion-style storage and organizer pockets, this bag is a practical choice for storing and protecting all of your resume copies and work examples. Showing that you can keep yourself prepared and organized will go a long way in the interviewing process.
If you like to keep your information on an iPad rather than printing it on paper, you’ll want to protect it with a professional looking case that will keep it propped up for display. An excellent example is the Samsonite iPad 2 Portfolio ($27.99- $29.24), which stands in two positions for both landscape and portrait viewing. It’s important to keep in mind that presenting your work in a digital format is a great alternative, but you should also make sure to have a backup plan in case of technical difficulties!
5. Follow Up
While you may think the interview is over after you’ve walked out the door, it’s important to follow up with your interviewer within a few days after your interview and thank them for taking the time to meet with you. This final step is crucial because it will enable you to continue to stand out as a potential candidate, and it shows your interest in the position. A succinct yet personalized handwritten note is a great way to leave a lasting impression.
While following these steps will ensure that you have a successful interview, the key to acing it is to have confidence in yourself and your abilities. Good luck, collegiettes!
And if you want some Samsonite products to carry your materials in (as well as some extra cash!), enter Samsonite’s #LifePacked Sweepstakes! Three lucky winners will receive Amex gift cards (one winner will win a gift card worth $500, one will win one worth $1,000 and one will win one worth $2,000) as well as Samsonite bags and accessories! Here’s how to enter:
STEP ONE: Take a picture of your packed life – you studying, running to class, with your Samsonite bag – it’s up to you!
STEP TWO: Upload your photo to Instagram with the hashtag #LifePacked.
STEP THREE: Tag @SamsoniteUS on Instagram.
Happy Instagramming, collegiettes!