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Interview Prep for New Grads
Peter Vogt, MonsterTRAK Career Coach
The best way to ace your next interview is to make sure you’re prepared. Follow these steps to get ready.
Research the Company/Organization in Depth
Your interviewer will expect you to know quite a bit about his organization. So at a minimum, browse the organization’s Web site, read as many of its marketing materials as you can, and look for articles about the organization in major periodicals or industry trade journals. You can dig even deeper by talking to some of the company’s current employees.
Identify What You Have to Sell
What are the top three skills or experiences you can offer the employer that other applicants can’t? Identify them before the interview, and then determine how you’ll communicate them to the prospective employer.
Is Your Resume in Shape?
Prepare Examples
Anyone can make claims in job interviews; far fewer people back them up. Think about some actual stories you can tell from previous experience to support your statements. Consider developing a career portfolio and using it as a presentation prop during the interview.
Develop Intelligent Questions
At some point during your interview, you’ll be asked whether you have any questions. Asking questions demonstrates your level of interest in the job, so develop a few ahead of time, and jot some down during the interview.
