How to Ace your Interview for March Hiring
As you may already know, executive interviews for March hiring at Queens are right around the corner!
With the executive interview process being not only very competitive, but also often stressful, it is always a big help to have some insight and advice on how to effectively interview to achieve that dream position you desire. In the following article, I’ve broken down some interview advice into three separate sections, all of which offer different tips and tricks to help you edge out your competition.
Tip #1 - Looking Presentable & Professional
A crucial component to a successful interview is the way you present yourself to the interviewer. Unless told otherwise, it is highly recommended to show up to your interview in either business formal or business casual dress wear. This could mean a dress shirt underneath a blazer, matching dress pants, dress shoes, and a tie for men. For women, your interview outfit could look like dress pants or a dress skirt with a blazer and dress shoes as well. Not only will dressing for success put you in the right headspace (this is backed by science!), it will work wonders in achieving the first impression you desire. Such attire demonstrates that you care about professionalism, and also leaves a positive impression on the interviewer, demonstrating that you care about the seriousness of the role and are ready to go. Additionally, if the interview is virtual, ensure that nothing inappropriate or demeaning to your character is hiding in the background of your screen. It is recommended to have a clear or blank background with proper lighting, a strong internet connection, and as little background noise as possible so that the interviewer can focus solely on you without being distracted by your surroundings.
Tip #2 - Preparation
Another important factor to a successful interview is preparing information in advance. This involves researching the club to grasp some specific background knowledge, such as what it’s about, what it stands for, or its objectives and goals. Taking notes, or even having coffee chats with members of the club in advance will result in your interviewer looking highly upon you, since they knew you took the initiative to do some research. This will also showcase to them your dedication and commitment to being a part of the club. In certain cases, Co-Chairs may also send technical questions to you via email prior to your interview. It’s crucial to prepare a detailed response to these questions, rather than coming up with an answer on the spot. Another preparation tip for interviews is to have responses ready for any commonly asked behavioral questions. Examples of such questions can be “Tell me about yourself.”, or “Why would you like to be a part of this club/association?”. These answers should be prepared well in advance enough that you should be speaking about them from memory/from the heart instead of visibly reading them (if the interview is conducted online). Based on the type of club you’re applying for, it would also be recommended to have a decent understanding of its field of expertise. For example, if you are applying to a marketing club, review core concepts of marketing so you can integrate them into your responses to showcase your knowledge.
Tip #3 - The Little Things
The third and final piece of advice to help ensure a successful interview is to remember the little things. I understand that this is a pretty vague term, but it simply means all of the small details that can separate you from your competition. In terms of body language, ensure you maintain good eye contact with your interviewer, and stay engaged, nodding when they talk to you to demonstrate your attentiveness. Additionally, remaining upbeat (smiling and laughing along if the interviewer says anything funny) goes a long way - nobody wants to talk to someone who looks dull or gloomy, or takes life too seriously. Using good manners will also show that you value their time, and are taking the role seriously. For instance, take the time to thank your interviewers for their time and for giving you the opportunity to meet with them at the end of the interview or through an email after. Lastly, concluding the interview by asking the interviewers a question is an essential and important key to leaving a long lasting final impression. Asking a question you genuinely are curious to learn the answer to shows that you are curious and excited for the potential opportunity to join the club.
In summary, through proper understanding and integration of the three tips mentioned above, I’m certain that you will not only have an excellent and successful interview, but you will be significantly more likely to receive your desired position on whichever club you apply for.
Good luck with your March hiring applications, you’ve got this!
Article by: Aidan MacCormack