Congratulations on getting an interview! If it is your first one or for a position you really want, you are most likely nervous. Look through this page to learn how to ace the interview.
Preparation
Most of the importance of doing well on an interview comes with the time before. It is important to make sure you are prepared for everything an interviewer may ask. To start, learn as much as you can about the company you are applying to. Also, study the requirements and qualifications of the position you are interviewing for. This will come in handy when you try to prove to your interviewer that your prior experience has given you the qualifications to take on the responsibilities of the particular position.
In preparing for your interview, I cannot stress how important it is to know your resume inside and out. Be prepared to talk about everything that is on there. In addition, be ready for your interviewer to ask further questions on your resume such as logistics of your prior work experience.
Virtually all interviews ask behavioral questions. These are questions about yourself and situations you’ve been in. These are very open ended. As a college student there is one question you are certain to get in some variation which is “Tell me about yourself”. Here are a list of more common behavioral questions https://www.themuse.com/advice/30-behavioral-interview-questions-you-should-be-ready-to-answer. Some questions on the list will not be asked since you are a college student, such as the client facing questions. Specifically focus on questions 2, 11, 12, and 16 as many of my peers have seen these questions. Overall, just be ready to recall on situations you have faced that will put yourself in a positive light.
In a lot of interviews, there is a technical portion. This means that you will actually be performing tasks that relate to your position broadly such as a case study. The employer will usually give the candidate the case before hand to prepare, thus preparing for those are straightforward.
Finally, almost all interviewers will give you time to ask your own questions. Use these questions to find out more about the company and if they are good enough for you. Have these questions ready before your interview.
The Interview
If you have an interview coming up, the most common advice you hear is “don’t be nervous”, even though this does not help at all. The message is true but does not help (if anything it makes you more nervous). Instead, enter the interview with a mindset that it is just a simple conversation. A common trick for a successful interview is to change the formation from question-answer to a conversational type. Instead of being nervous, recognize that your interviewer is not your boss but just another human you are having a conversation with.
Eye Contact- It is important to hold eye contact during the conversation as it shows your attention. However, do not be robotic and never break it.
Handshake- While entering and leaving the interview you will shake your interviewers hand. In doing this, introduce yourself and give a smile. Give a firm handshake.
Contact Information- At the end of the interview, be sure to ask your interviewer for contact information, whether it be a business card or just an email.
Follow up- After your interview, be sure to send a follow up email. In the email, make sure to thank the interviewer for their time and comment on a distinct conversation you had or advice you received.
Here are some extra tips to help your delivery and body language:
Becoming a Professional 