preparation

5 Interviewing Tips

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It’s about that time in the school year when you start to think ahead to your summer plans and financial assistance. A lot of applications have been posted, and you are hearing back from people left and right to interview you. You’re thinking to yourself, “I made it through the application process and got to the interview portion. Woohoo! ” Well, congratulations to you! This is the true test, though. The closer it gets to the interview, the more nervous you feel. That’s okay! Being nervous is not always a bad thing; it just means that you care. Don’t let the nerves get the best of you, though. Whatever it may be—an internship, job or scholarship—you have to be confident in yourself that you will nail that interview. I will share a few tips you should think about prior to waiting for that interview date in order to prepare and be as ready as you’ll ever be.

Know your facts.

Make sure you do your research on the organization or position you are interviewing with. One time, I went in the interview, and the first question was “Tell me what you know about us?” That’s going to be extremely awkward if you don’t have an answer to this question. It will only take 10 minutes or so to read or polish up on the people you are interviewing with and the job or qualification requirements. Not only does it show you know your stuff, conducting research helps you answer questions along the lines of what the interviewer is looking for. Google is your best friend!

Review common interview questions.

The weirdest question I have ever gotten in an interview was, “If you could be any fruit, what would you be?” (I answered a guava, and I don’t know why. It was the first thing that came to mind, LOL!) I think it’s safe to say that you probably won’t get a question like that 99 percent of the time. Some common questions to review would be tell me a little bit about yourself, or what are your strengths and weaknesses? They may even come right out and ask, why should I hire you/give you this scholarship? In any case, you should be prepared to give your answer confidently and to the best of your ability. When you are in the interview, it is okay to take a pause to think and take a breath before answering the question that is being asked. Career Counseling and Support Services has a ton of interviewing tips and cover letter/résumé writing assistance.

Look AND dress the part.

It’s true! You only get one chance to make a first impression. This is why you want to make that first impression a good one. This tip is pretty simple. Make sure you adhere to the dress code that was given to you by the interviewer or employer. Body language is also an important part as well. You want to exude confidence and maintain proper posture the entire interview. Basically, you want to look like you want to be there AND dress to impress.

Sell yourself, not sell yourself short.

Now, you don’t have to go over the top with selling yourself. Keep in mind that to get to that point you must have shown them you are worth their time. Therefore, make sure you use that time effectively to show them who you really are and that you ARE, indeed, worth their time. Be elaborate with your skill set and accomplishments. Interviewers are truly interested in getting to know in such a short amount of time, so they need you to shine right away. C’mon! Name another time when you get to talk about yourself in detail for 20-30 minutes.

Ask questions, thank them, and follow up.

The last and final tip I deem to be important is asking questions. The worst thing is when they finish the interview, ask you if you have any questions, and you don’t say anything. Always inquire about something afterwards. It can be as simple as, “What can I expect the timeline to be following this interview?” This just lets the person know that you are really interested in hearing back from them, and you are serious about getting that internship, job, or scholarship. Then, you should thank them when you are done as a common courtesy practice. Now, following up can be done a few different ways. For instance, I have a friend who always sends thank-you notes to his interviewers no matter what. That’s just his method. You can send an email or call if it is necessary to even follow up. Be sure to give the interviewers time to make a decision, though, before doing this step. In some cases, it won’t be needed.

I really hope I’ve helped. Good luck! I am sure you will be great. (:

 

Prepping for Finals Week

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Can you believe that final exams are right around the corner? It seems like we went from week 1 to week 14 in 60 seconds. I know it can be especially tricky to find motivation to focus and study when we just came back from a nice, relaxing Thanksgiving break. All I want to do is sit on my couch wearing sweatpants and watching endless seasons of Grey’s Anatomy. Trust me–my textbooks never seem more appealing than Netflix. So, it’s a good thing that Ohio State gives us a day off to gear up for exams. This beautiful day is called Reading Day.

You might be thinking: “What the heck is Reading Day?”

Reading Day falls between the last day of classes and the first day of exams. This year, Reading Day is on Thursday, December 10th. This day is meant to be used for studying and preparing for exams. So, it’s the perfect opportunity to get your notes organized from every class, print off those study guides, and try not to drown in the endless piles of notecards (maybe that’s just me…) However, this is also a really good way to take a moment to breathe and collect yourself before the stress of exams becomes overwhelming.

      

Here are some helpful ways to relax and de-stress: take some time to stretch, head to Berry Café and treat yourself to a latte, watch an episode of your favorite show on Netflix, or just laugh with some friends (my personal favorite.) You can also check out these fitness classes and sessions held at the RPAC, Union, and Younkin Success Center.

The Office of Student Life works very hard to put together activities and events to help students alleviate some stress during the week. Whether you venture out across campus or stay in your room to study, it’s very important to give yourself a break. Stress and anxiety can build in the days and weeks leading up to finals, so take some time to clear your head and re-focus your energy. I know it can seem counterproductive to take a break and “lose study time,” but even a 15-minute break can supply more benefits than you think.

Stay tuned for some fun events put on by yours truly, the Peer Leader staff! We’re available to help you figure some studying or time management strategies, find ways to relax, or answer any other questions you might have!

Feel free to reach out to your Peer Leader, or you can email me directly at: hageman.64s@osu.edu.

Adventure is Out There!

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Adventure is out there! At least, that’s what Pixar’s animated film Up taught me. For all of you new Buckeyes, your next big adventure is about to start. Just like with any big endeavor you don’t want to start out without preparing a little bit beforehand. That’s what orientation is for! Orientation will give you an advantage when heading out on your journey by providing you with the opportunity to:

Get the Lay of the Land

Any adventurer heading out on a big expedition needs to know a little bit about what to expect when they get there. Will it be a hot desert or a dangerous swamp? Will they need to climb a mountain or paddle across a lake? A part of orientation will be dedicated to helping you learn what is expected of you both in and out of the classroom.  Someone who knows what to expect will be more likely to overcome any obstacles that may appear.

Speak to a Guru

The wisdom of an expert is a valuable asset to any adventurer. At orientation you will get the chance to attend a group advising session led by an advisor in your academic area of study. This will give you the opportunity to ask any questions or voice any concerns you or your family may have about academics. An explorer with the inside scoop is sure to get the gold.

Plan for What is to Come

A good adventure is well planned and may even follow a schedule. Orientation will provide to you the opportunity to schedule your classes for your first semester as a Buckeye. There will be plenty of seasoned adventurers to help you with this process. You will also have the chance to complete some university business. This could include: getting your BuckID card, picking up your Buckeye Book Community book, or taking any necessary placement tests. An explorer who plans is an explorer that has a lot less to worry about in the long run.

Meet Others at the Start of Their Journey

One of the most exciting opportunities at orientation is meeting other people in the same boat. Whether you’re literally taking a boat somewhere, or just figuratively, it is nice to see that other people have similar destinations. Talk to any swashbuckler and they will tell you they never could have achieved their goals without a little help from others.

Survey the Terrain

Not many explorers get the chance to see where they will be exploring beforehand. You will get the distinct advantage of becoming more familiar with campus before you embark on your four-year journey. You will see some of the buildings where classes take place, the student union, and even how our living spaces are set up.

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All of these opportunities are meant to help prepare you to be the best Buckeye you can be. Just like we wouldn’t send someone out into the jungle without the proper provisions, we wouldn’t send a student into their first year without these essentials. I wish you the best of luck young explorer, just always remember that “Adventure is out there” just waiting for you.