My Tips for Interviews

As the Spring semester gets going, I’ve been applying to more and more summer internships. This means that I need to prepare for multiple interviews, much like other college students! I have had multiple interviews over the past few years and I feel that I have learned some tips on how to do well in an interview setting.

Me at my last in-person interview for Tommy Hilfiger in 2020!

Be Prepared

My biggest tip for any interview, whether that be an in-person or phone call interview, is to be prepared! Do your research on the company! Read through their company website and take notes (I have had interviews in fashion where they asked me questions about my thoughts on their e-commerce website as well). Also, do your best to know who is interviewing you! More often than not, you will be given the name of who you will be meeting with; be sure to look them up on LinkedIn and understand their job and career history.

Take Notes During The Interview

In an interview you will be given a lot of information about the role in question and the company, be sure to take notes! I always let my interviewer know that I am taking notes, so if they see my typing or writing that is why. This shows them that you are very detailed-oriented and serious about the position. I have also found these notes to be extremely helpful when I move onto a secondary interview!

Be Sure to Ask Questions

At the end of you interview, you will be asked if you have any questions for them. Before the interview, when you’re preparing, be sure to come up with around 3-5 questions. You may not need to ask every question, or you may come up with new ones on the spot, but always be prepared to ask questions that show your genuine interest in the position.

Some topics to ask about:

• The interviewer’s experiences

  • Example: “Can you tell me about your personal experience with this company? How did you end up in your current role?”

• Company culture

  • Example: “How would you describe the culture of this company? Does it differ by team/department/brand?”

• Previous interns’ responsibility

  • Example: “What projects did the last intern work on?”

• How current events impact the company

  • Example: “How has COVID-19 impacted this company?”

• Interview Process

  • Example: “What are the next steps from here?”

Be sure to avoid asking questions about pay, leave time, etc.

How to Dress

Most of the time, an interview invite will tell you how to dress for the interview. In my experience, dressing up is always the right way to go! For most interviews, I wear a dress or a nice blouse/sweater with a blazer - a great, affordable blazer is from Suitably, they also have other workwear closet-staples. I have always felt that fashion is the easiest way to express yourself, so be sure to show a bit of your personality in your outfit, whether that’s a fun tote bag or a unique blazer. Make sure to dress appropriately and do not wear mini dresses/skirts or tops with a deep-v!

Be Yourself

While this may sound cliche, in an interview you should always be yourself! Don’t pretend to be someone who you think the interviewer wants you to be, because that is the person they will expect you to be if they hire you! I was once told that half of the time in an interview, they are truly just seeing if they like your personality and feel that you will mesh well with the team, the culture, and the company. If you go into an interview calm, and staying true to you, it will be a significantly better experience.

Send a Follow-Up Email

Within 24 hours of your interview, always send a follow-up email thanking the interviewer(s) for their time. Try to reiterate some points in the interview that you found interesting, and ask any additional questions that you may have forgotten to ask. This follow-up does not need to be extremely lengthy, but should put across your gratitude and continuing interest in the role!