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7 interview tips to help you succeed

Having a great resume and cover letter is a great start in the pursuit of a job or internship. However, a cover letter and resume will only get you an interview with the company and not a job or internship offer. Interviewing can be a little scary, but if proper preparation can improve your chances of having a successful interview. Here are seven tips to help you succeed during your next interview.
W. P. Carey Career Services

Having a great resume and cover letter is a great start in the pursuit of a job or internship. However, a cover letter and resume will only get you an interview with the company and not a job or internship offer. Interviewing can be a little scary, but if proper preparation can improve your chances of having a successful interview. Here are seven tips to help you succeed during your next interview.

1. Do your research

Do your research on the company and the position if possible, and try to find out information about the people you will meet with for your interview. Be ready to answer questions using your past experience and accomplishments and be specific toward the company’s needs.

2. Practice

Once you have completed your research, begin practicing for your interview. Use interview questions (can be provided by W. P. Carey Career Services) and write down answers to make your presentation more concise. Try to keep your answers to information your interviewer will want to know.

3. Make eye contact

Maintain eye contact with your interviewer. This will help the interviewer know you want the job with your interest.

4. Stay positive

Throughout the interview you need to stay positive and avoid using negative comments about past employers or supervisors.

5. Adapt

Listen to the interviewer intently. This will ensure that you hear and understand the question being asked. Be sensitive to the style of the interviewer this will allow you to adapt your presentation to what the interviewer is wanting. The dress of the interviewer, office furniture, and décor will help you tailor your presentation.

6. Relate

Try to keep your answers related to the interviewer and his or her company. Interviewers do you not want you to ramble on off topic during the interview. Focus on past experience that is relevant to the position.

7. Encourage

Encourage the interviewer to share information about his or her company. Demonstrate your interest in the company by asking questions about the company. Before the interview think of questions that you would want to ask the interviewer so that when they ask if you have any questions you can have some questions to ask.


These tips are a great starting place for preparing for your next interview, but I highly encourage you to make an appointment with W. P. Carey Career Services to help further prepare you for your interview. If you have questions about interviewing or need more assistance with preparing please make an appointment with your career coach.

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