How to approach your next job interview

Graduating is a uniquely scary experience. Many college students fantasize about the day they can take their last test and move into the professional world, while many others dread this new-found freedom.

The hunt for a job, and particularly the lengthy interviewing process that goes with it, is new to many former students. On top of this, a large number of employers have started to rely on telecommunications for recruiting and interviewing, widening the distance between employee and employer. 

Graduated psychology major Abigail Phillips recently took a job as a behavioral technician in Portland. The interview process was done entirely online, as she is currently based in Eugene. 

“I had just come home from work and my workout class, so I quickly showered and put on my face and then put on a button down shirt,” Phillips said. “And then I was just wearing pajama bottoms on the bottom.”

Phillips said she wears loose slacks or non-distressed jeans when interviewing in person. For her tops she likes to wear flowy blouses, sweaters or button down shirts. 

The limiting nature of video calls means half of your appearance won’t be seen. This puts even more of an emphasis on not only your upper body, but your level of preparedness.  

“Take the time to prepare your mind and your appearance,” Phillips said. “You may not meet all the qualifications, but if you can sell yourself and be jovial and kind, the interviewer will, more often than not, reciprocate that.”

First impressions are a key to success in job interviews, as there’s a possibility this will be your only chance to leave one. 

“Dressing nice is one thing, but making yourself look presentable, maybe shaving beforehand or touching up is very important,” Fisher Cherney, a graduating planning, public policy and management major, said. 

Cherney has done a few interviews for entry level jobs, but is in the process of preparing for some bigger interviews once he graduates.

“When people look at you the first thing they notice is the clothing,” Cherney said. “And a lot of people can get that really right, but I think that it’s the little things in people’s appearance that really matter.” 

Appearance is much more than just an outfit. Proper grooming and an attention to detail is equally important.

“It’s not the color of the shirt that you’re wearing. It’s if all of it’s buttoned up, if it’s tucked in [and] if your shoes are not scuffed,” Cherney said. “And the shoes are a small accessory to a lot of people, but on the day when someone’s looking from top to bottom, they’re going to see your shoes.”

Although a significant part of the first impression, appearances can only get you so far in an interview process. Still, it will certainly help you get a leg up. It’s always a good idea to have these details figured out before an interview, so when the time comes you can focus on presenting your skill set. 

“I present myself well enough to where they don’t dismiss me based on that,” Phillips said. “I think dressing the part is correlated with how well you prepare and take the interview seriously.” 

Taking the interview seriously is what it comes down to. Giving it proper preparation and attention to detail is what will carry you across the finish line.

“Don’t stress it, because when you come in and you’re stressed not only do you notice, but they can also notice,” Cherney said. “Just going in there, realizing that this isn’t the end, and that this is maybe a practice in your next interview.”

No matter what type of interviews you will be taking in the future, it’s a good idea to treat them all with a level of respect. You never know when you might land the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.