Search. Find. Apply. Interview. Wait. Repeat.
The vicious cycle of applying for jobs... I will say, it's difficult and nerve-wracking, but exciting to prepare for the next stage in my life. As a young professional, I'm energetic and motivated to find success in my next endeavor. As I've mentioned before, the name of my blog was created because of my city dreams: my goal of moving, living, and working in the city of Chicago as a PR pro.
The vicious cycle of applying for jobs... I will say, it's difficult and nerve-wracking, but exciting to prepare for the next stage in my life. As a young professional, I'm energetic and motivated to find success in my next endeavor. As I've mentioned before, the name of my blog was created because of my city dreams: my goal of moving, living, and working in the city of Chicago as a PR pro.
I am proud to say I have taken the first steps toward this goal by securing and attending two interviews at PR/Communication agencies in Chicago! (AHHH!) Now, I just have to wait to hear back...patience is not my strong suit...
I'm writing this after-the-fact. I was crazy nervous beforehand and I felt like the pressure of the world was sitting on my shoulders. Interviewing is not an easy feat, but as trial and error goes, I have a few tips I think are crucial to successful interviews. Hopefully, these tips will help you impress the socks off of your next interviewers.
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1. DO YOUR RESEARCH
The people/person interviewing you will be able to tell almost instantly if you've done your homework. Bullshitting (excuse my French) doesn't work in interviews, so study up! Read the company's website, learn about their clients, the culture, the employees. Read their news releases and blog. Find out whatever it is that sets them apart from other companies in the industry, whether that may be a unique business model or a certain focus, like product launch PR. Sometimes it helps to use Glassdoor to research a company. Occasionally, you can find questions other candidates have been asked during interviews. It's a nice little cheat sheet.
Some questions I've been asked:
Where do you get your news?
What's your favorite brand?
How do you stay organized and manage multiple projects?
Walk us through your experience.
Why PR?
Why do you want to work here?
Some questions I've been asked:
Where do you get your news?
What's your favorite brand?
How do you stay organized and manage multiple projects?
Walk us through your experience.
Why PR?
Why do you want to work here?
2. PLAN AHEAD (questions, outfit, travel, etc.)
Not only should you prepare questions to ask your interviewer (A MUST-DO), you should also prepare travel plans and your outfit. Maybe you have a go-to interview outfit, that's awesome! Just make sure it's ironed, pressed, and polished. I lean toward cropped dress pants with a blazer and a colorful blouse underneath. I feel best in black, so naturally, that's what I wear. I love adding a necklace and my fossil watch, too! (Remember less is more when it comes to jewelry!).
For my recent interviews, I had to take a train into the city and walk to the office building of the company I was interviewing at. It's always best to look these things up in advance so you know how to budget your time and if the weather will effect your plans. Don't be afraid to get there early! Punctuality is praised.
Here are a few questions I tend to ask during an interview (just to give you an idea):
What's the work/life balance like?
What's the most difficult challenge that would face someone in this role?
What's the company culture like?
*Remember, interviews should be conversational, so ask questions as they arise**
For my recent interviews, I had to take a train into the city and walk to the office building of the company I was interviewing at. It's always best to look these things up in advance so you know how to budget your time and if the weather will effect your plans. Don't be afraid to get there early! Punctuality is praised.
Here are a few questions I tend to ask during an interview (just to give you an idea):
What's the work/life balance like?
What's the most difficult challenge that would face someone in this role?
What's the company culture like?
*Remember, interviews should be conversational, so ask questions as they arise**
3. HAVE RESUMES HANDY
You never know how many people you'll actually meet during an interview. Always be prepared to hand out resumes to everyone and anyone you meet. I would recommend having around eight on you at all times. Even better, print them on classy paper, like linen. Bonus points -- presentation is everything!
A common question in any interview is "Walk me through your resume." You better have one handy to do this (unless you've memorized it...awk?).
You never know how many people you'll actually meet during an interview. Always be prepared to hand out resumes to everyone and anyone you meet. I would recommend having around eight on you at all times. Even better, print them on classy paper, like linen. Bonus points -- presentation is everything!
A common question in any interview is "Walk me through your resume." You better have one handy to do this (unless you've memorized it...awk?).
4. PORTFOLIOS
As a class assignment this semester, we were required to construct a hardcopy portfolio, which is a fancy way of saying a binder full of all of my best work from internships and coursework. The assignment was extremely meticulous and time consuming, but a total lifesaver in interviews!
I found that during lulls in the conversation, I could point to something in the portfolio and speak about the experience of creating it or explain the context of the project. Because constructing the portfolio is time consuming, future employers see that you took the time to put it together, and viola! You are instantly viewed as a hard worker (as opposed to a lazy one - YAY).
I also highly recommend creating an online portfolio. It's almost necessary these days! I think having a visually representative and online site is so beneficial to your personal "brand." It's something you can update even after graduation!
Check out mine! I used WIX to construct mine and I highly recommend it. It takes a bit to get used to the tools, but it offers so many features that allow you to create a really personalized site that is representative of you.
As a class assignment this semester, we were required to construct a hardcopy portfolio, which is a fancy way of saying a binder full of all of my best work from internships and coursework. The assignment was extremely meticulous and time consuming, but a total lifesaver in interviews!
I found that during lulls in the conversation, I could point to something in the portfolio and speak about the experience of creating it or explain the context of the project. Because constructing the portfolio is time consuming, future employers see that you took the time to put it together, and viola! You are instantly viewed as a hard worker (as opposed to a lazy one - YAY).
I also highly recommend creating an online portfolio. It's almost necessary these days! I think having a visually representative and online site is so beneficial to your personal "brand." It's something you can update even after graduation!
Check out mine! I used WIX to construct mine and I highly recommend it. It takes a bit to get used to the tools, but it offers so many features that allow you to create a really personalized site that is representative of you.
5. SEND THANK YOU EMAILS
The time of thank you cards has come and gone. After interviews, I immediately send a "Thank You" email to each person I've interviewed with. This means that I actively seek out contact information during the interview, whether that means grabbing a business card or specifically asking for an email address.
I suggests writing down quick notes of unique things or points of discussion that you talk about with each interviewer. That way, when you send the follow up thank you email, you can tailor it to the specific individual. It's instantly more personal and memorable.
I suggests writing down quick notes of unique things or points of discussion that you talk about with each interviewer. That way, when you send the follow up thank you email, you can tailor it to the specific individual. It's instantly more personal and memorable.
6. BE YOU
Confidence is one thing you can't leave home without. Nerves are natural, but you have to mask them! Not only are employers looking for candidates with good experience, they're looking for people who will fit well with the existing team members, so be yourself and let your personality shine!
Other random tips:
Have a professional tote bag so you can carry all of your necessities.
Have a professional tote bag so you can carry all of your necessities.
Invest in a professional portfolio/padfolio (fancy folder) to keep your resumes in and take notes on.
Have a good, easy-to-write-with pen.
If you're walking to your interviews like I did in downtown Chicago, wear comfy shoes and change right before the interview. The last thing you need is blisters on your feet!
It's nice to have extra makeup handy for touch-ups!
Gum or mints... to get rid of the coffee breath (make sure you spit the gum out before).
Visit my "Strut Your Stuff" website for what-to-wear tips!
Talk to the receptionist. Make a good first impression while you wait.
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Good luck on your interviews! Let me know if you have any specific questions!
