Published on Feb 23, 2022
Interviews are situations where it’s good – great, even – to brag about yourself. Obviously, that can be hard when you’ve always heard you shouldn’t brag. Here at the career center, we aim to help you communicate your value properly so that potential employers can see how awesome you really are. As you go through your job search, keep these things in mind:
Pay Attention and Apply Your Experiences
This one might be obvious, but let us explain. Remember that the job description doesn’t just describe the job, it describes the ideal candidate. As you apply to your job, pay attention to their day-to-day rundown and the skills they’re seeking, then figure out how they might apply to you. For example, if an employer is looking for someone who can maintain communication in the office tell them about that time you kept your entire sorority updated on an upcoming event. As a college student you might not have the most extensive career experience out there so evaluate what you do have and keep it in your arsenal. All. Experiences. Matter.
Work on Your Elevator Pitch
“So, tell me a little about yourself.” It’s the most dreaded question ever, yet every interviewer asks it. There isn’t a right or wrong answer, but there is a right and wrong presentation. Be prepared with an elevator pitch that explains who you are, your experiences, and why you would be a fit for the job in less than a minute. It acts as a great jumping off point for the rest of the conversation.
Brag About Yourself
This is a tricky one. Like we said, it can be hard to brag when you’ve always been told never to do so. Regardless, interviews and resumes are the places to do so. Beef up your resume with your volunteer experiences, work experiences, degrees, certificates, honors, extra-curriculars, and even courses. Let employers know what you’ve done so that they can ask you specific questions when they finally speak to you. As you answer questions, make sure to respond with specific examples. Talk about the problems you’ve faced and the creative actions you’ve taken to solve them. Make yourself look good on paper and in-person.
They’re Just People
We know. Interviewers are intimidating. After all, they are the first obstacle in your job acquisition. Don’t treat them like that. Remember: they’re a person, first and foremost. Treat them like a person and not a threat. This will make it easier to talk to them and to make a connection. It’s like talking to an old, professional friend. Clear your brain of that fear fog and talk about your experiences like a pro.
Be Confident
It’s cheesy, but it’s good advice. You can’t sell something if you don’t believe in the product, especially if the product is you. As you go through some self evaluation, hype yourself up. You are awesome. You are amazing. You might not have 10 years of experience under your belt, but you do have a great personality and a can-do attitude. Use those to your advantage.
Overall, remember to relax. Stress is never easy and can get in the way of a lot of good things. If you have any questions stop by the career center or reach out to a career specialist. Feel free to explore our other career tools, too!