Dear HR Professionals, 

I'm aware that your position can be quite hectic as hiring is a massive process usually including multiple screenings and interviews with a rather large handful of people. I'm aware that you are busy, stressed, overworked and human. Having said all of that, your position is in the human resources department, notice the emphasis on the word human. Interviewing is like dating, don't string people along and respect them enough to not leave them hanging. 

Job seekers, especially those you bring into the office for interviews and meet personally, deserve responses, updates and so on. It is important to reject people timely as many job seekers are interviewing for multiple positions and usually will try to hold out on making a decision if they haven't heard your response yet when they really want the position. Also, it isn't cool to continuously repost a job after interviewing candidates in-person. If none of the people interviewed are fabulous fits, reject them immediately. Even an automated HR email, as much as I hate how impersonal they are, is appreciated so that interviewees can see what they have to wait on for responses, what offers they have and so on. If you think finding a candidate to fill your position is hard, try job hunting in the current job market.

Here are my thoughts, as an active interviewee, for ways to improve how you do your job. Even if it is a simple "Thank you and I will be in touch," respond when an interviewee sends a follow up or thank you email. If the position is filled and you've interviewed several people in-person, reach out to those people to tell them that the position is filled, that you wish them the best on their job hunt and provide relevant feedback. If the hiring for a position has been placed on hold for whatever reason, communicate that with those you have been interviewing. Open and timely communication and transparency is important, especially in the current job market climate.

1. Some people are horrible at interviewing. - There will be interviewers who struggle to look you in the eye, appear bored with whatever it is you are saying or don't smile at all. It's a reality that not everyone can be a great interviewer so get used to it and don't let it shake your confidence, personality and interest in the position. 

2. Many interviewers don't anticipate thoughtful questions. - A lot of the time they expect someone to either not really be invested in the position or ask the basic questions like the timeline for hiring for the position or work hours. Many don't anticipate questions about why they are part of the team and company, their career journey to their current position, what the company culture is like or even something really thought provoking like, "What about my resume and/or cover letter intrigued you enough to reach out for an interview? What skills and/or qualities did you feel I possess that align with this position?". Be the one to stand out and ask questions! 

3. Many times you don't get a response to your "thank you" emails. - While it is an unspoken rule to always send a follow-up thank you email to whoever you interviewed with, it isn't a rule for them to answer. I've sent over 100 and maybe have gotten ten responses. It is a very rare thing, but it doesn't mean someone didn't get it. It also doesn't mean you shouldn't send one! Not sending a thank you note, reminding the person/people you interviewed with who you are, why you want this position and thanking them for their time, is pretty much career suicide. Send the email! 

4. Group interviews require more personality and more focus. - I've been interviewed by more than one person several times now and I find the blending of personalities takes a bit more work because now there's more than just you and one other person. Also, you have to ensure you address the parties equally and give them equal amount of eye contact. It isn't bad, but it can definitely be a bit more stressful than just interviewing one-on-one. 

5. Don't schedule interviews too close together. - Made this mistake not too long ago of having an interview uptown in the 50s near 5th Avenue and then not too long after having an interview down near Penn Station. Bad logistics on my end considering the first interview ran long forcing me to be late to the next one. When in doubt, assume an interview will take two hours and schedule appropriately. It is better to be 20 or so minutes early than to be late. 

It is no secret that I've been on loads of interviews, some were memorable and some were not. Some I thought I did really well at while others I left feeling like it was a complete mess. Having said that, there was a particular interview that I left feeling uncomfortable and slightly confused. I don't think I did poorly, I think I did really great, but something during the interview really threw me for a loop. This interview horror story is one that I hope no one ever has to live because it sucks. 

During an in-person interview, I was with two account executives. They were friendly enough while shaking my hand and leading me to the conference room where we would be for the next thirty or so minutes while they figured out if I would be worth it to bring on to the team and I would spend my time attempting to prove to them I deserved to be hired. Not too long into the interview, I notice one of the executives blatantly on her phone. At first I ignored it because I kind of assumed it was an important email. After a few minutes it began to make me very uncomfortable. 

I would love to say it got better but it really didn't. Not only was the one executive blatantly on her phone for over ten minutes, but when she wasn't on her phone she was looking out through the glass of the conference room as if she would rather be anywhere but in the room interviewing me. Seriously, it was confusing, disconcerting and downright rude. Her job as an interviewer was to pay attention to me talk, ask me questions and stay actively engaged to ensure I felt comfortable but she did the exact opposite. 

It was so mind boggling to me because I know interview etiquette and what happened went against every kind of rule on the planet. Her phone usage and dismissive attitude was distracting and put me on edge. I should hope I never encounter that again but I'm sure I will since the world is far from perfect. I just thought to share my experience because it really bothered me and I hope to inform others that it isn't okay if this happens and you have to keep yourself together and continue forward. 

I can never stress enough how important it is to network and use LinkedIn. Many industries are very small and it helps to have a foot in the door with knowing people in order to secure a position. Making connections isn't enough, keeping them and staying connected to those people is key to being able to call upon them should you require their aid. LinkedIn is a fabulous way to keep in touch with professionals.

Networking

From networking events held by college campuses to interning, you can network with those around you and leverage them to benefit you and your success. A key thing to remember is that a connection is a give and a take. While you can ask for help from those you connect to, you should be willing to reciprocate in kind. People you have classes with, people you intern under or with, your professors, and so on are those you can network with to start. Networking can be a daunting task when you are shy and are new to it. Don't worry, everyone had to start someone so most people try to make you comfortable while talking with you.

LinkedIn

I love LinkedIn because it allows me to stay virtually connected with those I've met through interning, at college, and at networking events. The site is a living, breathing resume and allows you to showcase yourself professionally. LinkedIn allows you have a way to keep who you've met with and worked with on hand in order to leverage them in the future. I know several older professionals who have said they used their LinkedIn network to find a position after losing their job when the economy in the United States fell apart. The website has the option to send mail to those you've connected with which can be used to keep in touch if you aren't close enough to email back and forth. It also allows people to see what you've been up to and remember who you are so if a position they hear about fits your skill set they might send it your way or recommend you for it. My advice for LinkedIn is keep it up-to-date, ensure you have a photo, and use the mail feature to reach out to connections you may not deal with on a regular basis in order to keep the relationship open.

After interviewing, whether it is on the phone or in person, it is important to send a thank you email. A thank you email is just a short email thanking the person or people who interviewed you, there can be times when it is more than one, for considering you for the position. When I say short, I usually think it is best to keep it to about six sentences or less. It is standard protocol to send a thank you email and usually reflects poorly on the candidate who doesn't send one.

What is the best time to send a thank you email?
This is easy, between later that day or early the following morning. Granted, there are times where it might take a day or so as you have to go through the HR correspondent to retrieve the interview's email.

How do I go about asking for the interviewer's email?
This depends upon whether or not the interviewer is the person who reached out to schedule the interview, there are times when it is another like an HR associate, and whether or not the interview was on the phone or in person. If the interview was in person, most times the interviewer gives the interviewee their business card which holds contact information. When completing a phone interview there is no opportunity to gain access to a business card to which you are left with either the person who scheduled the interview or the actual interviewer's email when they scheduled the interview. Either way, you send a thank you email. If the person who set up the interview wasn't your interviewer you just ensure to ask for the interviewer's email so you can send a thank you.

What should I make sure to say?
The entire point of a thank you email is to show how much you want the job. You want to say how great you think this opportunity would be for you and how much you would like to be a part of the company and team. You should also note to thank them for their time and for considering you for the position.

Can you give me an example of a thank you email?
Of course! Below you will see my thank you email to my interviewer from Grand Central Publishing.

Good afternoon Andrew, 

Thank you for taking the time to interview me on the phone this morning. I really enjoyed hearing about the team and possible items I would be working on should I be hired. I would love publishing experience and believe interning under you and your team would be ideal. I can tell from speaking with you on the phone that I would be comfortable and learn quite a bit. 

I look forward to the possibility of working with and learning from you! 

Have a great weekend.

Thanks,

Samantha 

The ever popular phone interview is, in my opinion, the easiest interview ever. While it can be a bit awkward because you aren't looking at the person and so miss physical cues, it is still an easy thing to master. Why do I say phone interviews are easy? Well, for those people who are shy, this is the time where you don't have to worry about making eye contact or smiling since the person cannot see you. Truthfully, the list can go on forever, but just take my word for it that phone interviews are much easier than in- person interviews. I'll be listing tips to ensure you smash your phone interview and make the right impression since many times these are usually the first time the company gets to deal with you on a personal level, usually the first step before they bring you in for an in-person interview.

1. Have your laptop open.
This may sound basic but this is something you should definitely have open and ready to use. A lot of companies want to hear what you know about them so having the website open and being able to look to it for information is key.
2. Have your resume either open on your laptop or physically in front of you.
Almost every interviewer asks you to walk them through your resume or your work history so having your resume open is useful. You can choose to go from present to past or past to present but walking through each piece is important. They want to hear you articulate what your resume states and further elaborate on the places you were at.
3. Take the call in a quiet and private space.
This phone call is not a social one so you shouldn't treat it as one. This is a professional call with someone who is interested in hiring you. Show them you are professional by being in a quiet space. Nothing screams unprofessional like hearing screaming children, your roommate asking about the party next week, or your television going on in the background.
4. Speak clearly and eloquently. 
There are no physical cues and the person can't see you so make sure to speak loud enough for them to hear you and clear enough for them to not miss what you are saying. The pressure is a lot less than a physical interview because you don't have to worry about eye contact, if you are fiddling with your hands or not, and so on. Take advantage of the fact that the person can't see you and allow yourself to pace or whatever you need to do to come across confident and knowledgeable.
5. Ask questions.
Just like an in-person interview, asking questions is a great thing. Ask about a campaign the company worked on, what the person person interviewing you deems is the ideal candidate to fill the position you are interviewing for, or why the interviewer is with the company. These questions give you insight into the company and the interviewer.

I have given you guys some creative questions to ask while in an interview and an idea of what to expect. Now, I'm going to go over things you must do during an interview. Think of it like a routine, if you miss a step you are thrown off and it is usually a bad thing!

1. Have extra copies of your resume handy
Many of the people who interview you will have printed out a copy of your resume, but there are times when the interviewer asks if you have one. You never want to be the interviewee that says, "No, I don't. Sorry." That makes you look unprepared and unprofessional. Your goal is to look prepared and show them they should hire you over the other candidates. 

2. Smile and come off friendly
No one wants to work with someone who is uptight and uncomfortable. Yes, it is okay to be nervous in an interview and the interviewer will understand, but you have to at try and connect on a personal level. For example, I bonded with one of my interviewers over being a makeup minimalist. People want to work with those they can connect with so coming off friendly and eager is good. There is a fine line between trying too hard and not trying enough so try to be yourself as much as possible, or the more open version if you are shy.

3. Speak clearly and confidently 

Most job positions require your to have communication skills, the ability to speak to others and get your message across. Not everyone is a great speaker and that is okay but be sure to not overuse the word like or use to many fillers like "um, er, uh." Speak moderately slow, enunciate each word properly, and speak in a moderate volume so you can be heard. 

Interviews are part of the hiring process and touch every career field. As humans, we are trained to realize we have to answer questions in an interview and please the interviewer enough to either send us into the next round or hire us. What many people forget is there is a point where you can ask questions. I know a lot of people who have no questions to ask, which is okay, but I think those that ask questions look just a bit better. I ask really creative questions, at least three of these per interview, and have been told several times how good they are. Interviewers tend to hear the standards questions like: "When will I hear back?" or "Is this a paid opportunity? If so, how much?".

1. What about my cover letter or letter of interest and/or resume stood out enough for you to want to bring me in for an interview? 

This is my first question, almost always. Hearing feedback on your cover letter and resume from those you are looking to work with is important. Keep in mind it is all subjective and will change from person to person but hearing similar things like they like the layout or certain keywords allows to see what you are doing right. This is also gives you a bit of insight as to what they are looking for and what they identify with. Knowledge is power, remember that!

2. What three qualities make the "perfect" employee/intern? Why? 

This question is another one that allows you to further flesh out what they find important and to see where you fall in their opinion. This also is a bit creative because most people don't ask these types of questions. I have found many people say this is such a great question and they've never heard it before. That is a point to me, or you if you use this question. 

3. What are duties and responsibilities that are expected of me no matter the day? Can you explain the average day when working as a part of this team?

This question is only useful when the interviewer is vague in what the position entails, same for the job listing. Some companies just offer to send in your resume and you don't really even know what they are looking for so this allows you to have a better grasp on the position. 

4. Can you explain how you ended up here? Did you always want to be in this field, work for this company? Or did you stumble upon this and kind of take off running?

I love this question because it tends to make the person or people interviewing me laugh and think. I don't think many people ask about this kind of thing but I find it important. Everyone's path can give you a insight into the person they are along with showing you how you can grow and change. This question also goes to give you a point since it is pretty creative and not something most people ask. 

5. If you had to pick an animal you relate to most, what animal would it be and why?

I know some of you are thinking, "What does this have to do with anything?", but this is really a good question. This allows for you to get a bit personal and see more about who is interviewing, the person you most likely would be working with. This is good for you to understand the person on a more personal level which makes interacting a lot easier. Also, this is another really creative question that I doubt most people ask. 

6. What about this interview or speaking with me impressed you or interested you the most?

This question is all strategy! We all want to know how we did during the interview but can't ask that outright so this question is a creative strategic approach. This allows you to see what the interviewer thought of you. Personally, I have found this question to gauge whether or not I'll be offered a position or moved into the next round of the hiring process. 

• Skills are important, things like social media handles, Photoshop, customer service, and the like can be considered skills (depends on what exactly you are applying for, the job/field).

• Your full name, address, phone number (cellular phone), and email should be at the top of the page.

• If you speak multiple languages that qualifies under skills and is VERY useful.

• Your level of education matters (high school/undergraduate degree) and if you haven’t graduated from either, you should write the the expected graduation year.

• List RELEVANT experience. If you are going for a tutoring job, list tutoring at your school or for another practice. List IMPORTANT things and accomplishments for each job post but don’t write out lengthy paragraphs

• Have references on hand, sometimes included with your resume if asked for by the specific job/internship you are applying for.

• If you are in high school or an undergraduate, you do not need a resume any longer than ONE page, unless you have LOTS of relevant experience, in which case you can have TWO full pages.

• A resume is basically selling yourself so make sure there are no grammatical or spelling errors, ensure that everything flows and makes sense.

• Most places require you to have a cover letter which is your “in” if you will, make sure to highlight anything you have written on your resume as well as show interest in the company you are applying for. This, too, must be impeccably written as it is your first contact with your possible employer. 

I decided to add up the total number of interviews I have been on in 2014 so far and the number is quite high. Between January and November of this year I have been on 66 interviews, series of interviews for the same company are counted separately. Out of these 66, I have been fortunate enough to be offered 59 of these positions. You'll notice, so far I've been with two companies as an intern, possibly adding a third different company come next January. The reason behind my many offers lies with how well the interview went.

Interviews are for you to make an impression with your personality on your possible future employers. They can read through your resume, which you have most likely worded in such a way to stand out, and your letter of interest or cover letter to get the basics of who you are on paper. The interview is for you to sell yourself with your personality, to make a lasting good impression, and for you to see if the company is also all you have thought it to be. You never want to take an internship or job at a company where the culture and staff make you feel uncomfortable!

How do I make the right impression? 

This is something every person asks at one point or another. The art of shaping a great interview is one that comes with practice. It helps to be confident in who you are and your abilities. Another key factor is to do your research on the company before you walk into that interview. Believe me when I say it is more than acceptable to creep on the person who is bringing you in for an interview's LinkedIn page to get a sense of who you are dealing with. It is always a good idea to read through the company's website and all their social channels. 

A great interviewee knows how to speak. I cannot express it enough how important it is to be prepared to speak about yourself. Many questions or comments that come up in an interview include: Telll me about yourself, why do you want to intern for us, what can you bring to this company, what interested you about this company, tell me about what you did at your previous position. You have to be ready to elaborate on what you've done in the past, on who you are, on your journey to this point, and even your background in life. Be truthful and humble, never lie about something because it will come to haunt you later. Be personable, have a smile and energy. If you were interviewing yourself, would you want to hire someone who is boring and lacks a spark of personality? The correct answer is no. You have to show you want to be there and make them remember your name once you walk out of their office.

How do I practice? 

I mentioned being ready to speak so that usually entails practicing. I know you are probably thinking, "How do I practice?" Practicing is not nearly as complicated or hard as you might think. There are standard questions every interviewer asks. The standard questions include what I previously mentioned: "Why do you want to intern for us?", "What can you bring to this company?", "What interested you about this company?", and "Can you elaborate on your previous experience?" 

You can sit with one of your friends, parents, or advisor and have them ask you these questions. This set up will force you to speak and allow for feedback from those you trust. Granted, you should think about how to answer these questions before you ask anyone to mock interview you. There will always be curve ball questions that you cannot really prepare for like: "If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?" or "What is the most important thing to do on social media?" The only way to be prepared for questions such as these is to really take a few moments to gather your thoughts before answering. They realize these are curve ball questions and will allow you a bit of time to consider the way you want to answer.

Can you give some sample answers to these questions?

Yes, of course. Remember that my sample answers are based on my personality, my style of speaking, and my usually my chosen field. However, feel free to draw on my sample answers for some inspiration. 

Why do you want to intern for us?

While I was researching PR firms in the NYC Metro area, your firm's name came up. Your firm sparked my interest due to several factors including: The clientele, the organization's social channel feeds, the size, and the company's specialties. I really feel that, through the research I have completed, your firm is a place where I can not only grow and learn, but also where I can be comfortable and enjoy coming to. 

What can you bring to this company?

I can bring my work ethic, willingness to learn, and my previous social media experience. I've worked with  SEO, Google Analytics, and multiple social media platforms including: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. To add to this, I've also been an integral part of creating a social media calendar and strategy. While I don't have skills in traditional media pitching, I do have blogger relations experience and realize the value of bloggers. 

What is the most important thing to do on social media?

I think there are a few major things which are important to do on social media to do it "right." 

1. Realize who your target market is. You have to understand who you are trying to reach and from there you can tweet or reblog or what have you to interest those specific people or companies. 

2. Engage! No one wants to constantly see promotional tweets from you so engage your followers. Have interesting content about whatever your focus is, perhaps talking about your day at work rather than trying to sell something.

3. Do not spam! Tweeting, pinning, or reblogging regularly is wonderful but do not tweet ten times in fifteen minutes. Nobody likes to be spammed! 

4. Be honest and humble. Never put out something you do not agree with because it is a reflection of who you are. If you don't like what Kate Spade tweeted about, do not retweet it, just pass over it. If you loved what the New York Times article said about the college cost then quote tweet it and add your thoughts or retweet it. Honesty is the best policy. 

How do I feel make myself feel comfortable?

It is not your job to make yourself feel comfortable, but is that of the interviewer! If the interviewer is making you feel awkward or unwanted, consider not interning there. The company has taken an interest in you and should be willing to make you feel at ease in order for you to show who you are outside of the resume and cover letter you sent them. They see some kind of potential to bring you in and this is what you need to remember. Feeling nervous is okay, many people do! In fact, the person who is interviewing you was in your exact spot not too long ago. Most of my interview experiences are great ones because the one or two people interviewing me go out of their way to make me feel comfortable. I have had a few instances where the interviewers were on the snobby side, cutting me off with a wave of the hand or not even giving me a chance to respond to their question. It is safe to say, I turned those few places down. Never, ever settle for somewhere just because! 

While in my PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) meeting tonight, one of the main topics of conversation was the almighty cover letter. I take it for granted that, for the most part, I can write a pretty snazzy cover letter and call it a day. Many people do not realize how valuable a well tailored cover letter is or that it is even required to apply to a majority of available internships. Cover letters can make you or break you, as well as your resume. I've decided to list off some key notes to keep in mind when beginning to compose or editing an already composed cover letter.

Key Notes 

• Greeting - Address the cover letter to someone specific if possible. For instance, write, "Dear Jared Lane," if he is the one receiving your cover letter and resume. If you are unsure as to who is actually receiving it use something like "Dear Internship Coordinator" or "Dear Hiring Manager" in order to have a decent greeting. 
• Spelling- When writing your cover letter, go over your words with a fine tooth comb. You do not want to make the wrong impression but not correcting that misspelled word. When weeding out the possible candidates, things such as misspelled words on a cover letter can be the deciding factor in whether or not you receive an email or phone to come in for an interview. 
• Grammar- Know when to use "there," "they're," or "their." Also know where to place commons, colons, and such! You don't want to come off as a novice and throw away your chances of landing a life changing internship over a careless mistake! 
• Be Specific- Make sure you do a bit of your homework on the company when composing your letter of interest, your cover letter. The internet makes this so much easier than it was years ago. Go through their website, many companies have Twitter/Facebook/Instagram accounts to check out, as well. Ensure to mention why you are reaching out to this company. If you're focusing on Social Media, mention how you like the way they handle their Facebook. If you have previously interned, describe the skills you picked up and how they can be applied to this company. You have to be crafted while also still having the professional air. Describe a few skills you have, regardless of previous internship experience, and how you believe they will benefit the company. Discuss the subject matter the company deals with, if they are a fashion company, express how deeply rooted your passion for fashion is. 
• Closing- Always have a closing sentence which expresses your openness to an interview and how you look forward to the possibility of working together with the person. Also, end with something like "Best" or "Thank You" with a comma and double space after that to write your full name out. 

I cannot tell you how many of my friends make one or more of these mistakes. I have, in the past, and am not ashamed to admit it. No person on this planet is perfect, but we can try to be the most perfect versions of ourselves. I hope this post helped you and leads you to grip success in your hand.