Tis the season for college interviews. As I feverishly try to schedule the last dozen or so San Mateo County interviews for my alma mater, I wonder why so many "well prepared" high school seniors seem so woefully unprepared for interviewing.
Here are 5 easy things any student can do to put their best foot forward.
1. Respond. When someone calls or emails you to schedule an interview, please call us back. We are volunteers and doing our best. Also, we are writing the report on you. And telling us you are "very busy" does not really excuse your lack of common courtesy.
2. Show up on time (or even early). 90% of our candidates do this one.
3. Dress casually, not provocatively. We dont expect you to dress to the 9s, but please, make sure you are dressed. Pajamas, 5 inch heels, lip rings may send a message about you that you didn't intend to send.
4. Leave mom and dad in the car. Some of the nicest kids have the pushiest parents. You are adults yourself now. You can find the interview location and interviewer and introduce yourself perfectly well.
5. Give us something to work with. We volunteer for interviews hoping to meet someone inspiring, unusual and special. That's why we're here–we are on your side. Please come prepared with a few stories that show the kind of person you are–what makes you shine.
As I look at this advice, all of it (especially #4) applies to job interviews as well. You don't need to be fancy or behave in a way that is inauthentic–but common courtesy really goes a long way in any situation where you want to put your best foot forward.
