Professional Development Blog Post #7: Interviews

I remember the first interviews I ever had was when I would come home and mom would ask me how my day was. She'd ask what I learned in school that day and who I sat with at lunch. The answers would always be long and drawn out because I loved my third grade teacher, Mrs. Elkin and third grade was super dramatic because the mean girl in class sat by my crush at lunch just to make me mad.

How rude.

Anyway... I feel like mom always asking me thought provoking questions really helped me for the big interviews.

In ninth grade, I interviewed to be a Lake Hamilton FFA Chapter Officer.

And guess what?

... I cried....

Yes. I totally started crying when I was asked about what I was passionate about. I was a crier. I still am a crier.

But I did get the secretary position!

Anyway, now that I am 20, I've grown up a whole lot and don't cry during interviews. I tend to get really anxious before interviews, but my tip for conquering that is to take a deep breath and pray. Knowing that God is going to put you exactly where He wants you just brings an immense amount of peace.

Here are some of my tips for interviews:

1. Be yourself, but be your best self
• Just look nice and act nice, okay?
2. Answer questions thoroughly, but don't spill your whole life story
3. A firm handshake and eye contact can set you above the rest
• but don't be creepy
4. Don't be afraid to ask questions!
• and do ask questions at the end of the interview
5. If it is a phone or Skype interview, make sure everything is working, you have strong internet connection and full battery
6. Do some background knowledge on the company you are interviewing for
7. Bring a portfolio
8. Bring your resume
9. Get there early
10. Turn your cell phone off
• just don't use it, okay?