Interview Tips: Be Yourself (Kind Of)

As you make your way through the e-recruiting cycle, you can prepare all you want, but without the proper social graces, you'll be finished before you even start.

The first key is learning how to present yourself. This means professional attire, firm handshakes and eye contact during conversation. It also means having the right body language. The Office of Career Services at Wharton tells its students that "Nonverbal communication can give as much information, if not more, than words. Be conscious of slouching back in a chair (boredom?), twiddling your thumbs (nervousness?), and crossing your arms (hostility?)." You don't have to be Sigmund Freud to predict that someone who is disheveled and yawns like an old person during the interview isn't going to be the most "put together" employee if hired.

And the physical side of things is only half the battle - just ask anyone with a trophy wife! A lot of people are always saying that a job interview is a lot like a first date, and yes there may be similarities...if you're dating in Victorian England!

You need to be formal and professional. You have to be polite, suppress your uncouth side and keep everything earnest. We don't mean to say you shouldn't have a "personality," in fact many Victorian suitors were extraordinarily quick-witted, but showing that you're an eccentric in an interview probably isn't the sweetest idea. You don't have to be the most vanilla guy in the room, but the point of the interview is not to reveal the different layers of your complex personality. Harvard OCS tells its students, "When you think about being yourself, however, concentrate on being your "best self"�the one you and the employer will be excited about. This thought extends from the suit you wear to the examples from your past that you choose to highlight. An interview is a brief period of time in which to make an impression. You want yours to be a positive one. Present the highs and not the lows, the enthusiasm and not the doubt."

And at the end, when the time comes for you to ask a question, ask something engaging and specific! Don't be one of those jokers that says, "uhh, yeah you really uhh covered all the bases!" Think beforehand! To get you started, Northwestern's Office of Career Services has a great list of questions, but you should also prepare company-specific inquiries as well.

Finally, bring a few extra copies of your resume, send a thank you note within 24 hours of the interview and pray for the best!

Have a great weekend.

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