| Who to pay attention to: | | | | day before, not the day of. If you are submitting an |
| - Do preliminary research about the company you are | | | | electronic portfolio, e-mail it with the resume you are |
| interviewing with. Look at its website; track the | | | | sending when you first contact the employer. |
| company and its presence on social media sites like | | | | - Allow extra time to get to the interview. Plan for |
| Linkedin, FaceBook and Twitter. Also investigate the | | | | emergencies and delays. |
| hiring manager and staff you will meet. | | | | - Send a "Thank you" via email within 24 hours of the |
| - Before the end of the interview, ask for a business | | | | interview. |
| card so you can double check names and their titles | | | | - Even if you are not accepted, follow up about |
| and send follow up thank you letters. | | | | employment. Let the company know you are |
| - Be nice to everyone you meet! Be aware that some | | | | interested in future opportunities. |
| companies ask their receptionists/front line staff for | | | | Why you are important to a company: |
| feedback on how you presented yourself. | | | | - Show how you can add value to the position and the |
| - Know yourself, your strengths, and your areas for | | | | company. Gen Yers add new and diverse thought |
| improvement. Be honest about what you can come in | | | | processes to companies. |
| and immediately do. | | | | - Do talk about leadership, internship, and school |
| What you should do to prepare: | | | | experiences. They all count. |
| - Know the position you are interviewing for. Make | | | | - Be honest about your work and what you have |
| sure you exemplify the character traits and skills you | | | | accomplished. Embellishment of your experiences can |
| can contribute to the position and the company. | | | | get you into trouble. Lack of experience does not |
| - Turn off your cell phone. | | | | necessarily disqualify you from a job opportunity. |
| - Bring a portfolio of samples. Your portfolio can be in | | | | - Employers want people with tech skills. Stress your |
| an electronic format. This can include writing samples, | | | | experience and comfort with social networking and |
| class projects or "spec" (speculative) work. | | | | new media. |
| - Make sure everything is letter perfect. There should | | | | How you should act during the interview: |
| be no spelling mistakes or typos on your resume or | | | | - Throw out your gum before the interview. You want |
| samples. | | | | the interviewer to focus on what you are saying, not |
| - Stay current on world events. You want to be able | | | | what you are chewing. |
| to hold a conversation about what major events are | | | | - Greet the employer with a firm handshake, smile, and |
| happening today and how they may relate to the job. | | | | make eye contact. |
| - Practice answering standard interview questions: For | | | | - Be positive and enthusiastic. |
| example, Tell me about yourself? Why should I hire | | | | - Don't fall into the trap of trying to mimic the |
| you over anyone else? | | | | interviewer. |
| - Eat a light meal before your interview. This keeps | | | | - Don't get too comfortable in the interview. Just |
| your mind active. | | | | because the interviewer puts his or her feet on the |
| Wear professional clothing: | | | | desk does not mean you should! |
| - Plan your outfit. Make sure there are no missing | | | | - Use appropriate language: no swear words or crutch |
| buttons, holes, or stains. | | | | words such as "like" and "umm." |
| - You don't want to be remembered for your smell. | | | | - Don't play with things on peoples' desks. |
| Don't wear heavy fragrance and avoid smoking | | | | - Talk about what you are going to do at the |
| before your interview. | | | | company, not what your future plans are once you |
| - Wear clothing that reflects the environment of the | | | | leave the company. |
| company. It is always good to dress in good taste: No | | | | - Be realistic about titles and salary. |
| jeans, short skirts, or low cut tops, and avoid large | | | | - Ask questions! This shows you are interested. |
| labels on your clothing. Look at websites like | | | | - Feel free to ask about growth and learning |
| JCrew.com, and for outfit ideas. | | | | opportunities. Be realistic and pragmatic. You may |
| - Wear clothes that fit well and are comfortable. When | | | | have some boring work to do. That's part of the job. |
| you are comfortable, you are confident. | | | | - Enjoy the interview. You can never predict the |
| When timing matters: | | | | outcome, yet you can help influence the decision. |
| - If you are bringing any print materials, print them the | | | | |