Not only is it the time to decide how to best hide your fluffy belly after Thanksgiving, but you also need to figure out what to do for the upcoming summer. Too early for that, you say? Not to ruin your Reading Week euphoria or anything, but recruiting for summer internships has already begun.
Finding an internship is a long and frustrating process. No matter how good or bad your GPA is, writing cover letters, sending in résumés and preparing for interviews for the next few months could wear you out. The whole trick to this craziness is to look like you are on top of the game. According to Image Dynamics, a company that helps job seekers get to the top, 55 percent of another person’s perception of you is based on how you look. So look sharp by following these tips.
Don’t look like you’re going to a funeral.
I was at a business event a few weeks ago and felt like I was at my grandmother’s funeral again — literally everyone was wearing a black suit. Yes, a black power suit with a white shirt is safe. But sometimes it’s smart to stand out from the crowd. Grey, Charcoal and even (wait for it) charcoal grey are great alternatives to a characterless black suit.
Add something extra.
You want to add character to your suit, but not too much (a purple suit may not be the best thing to wear, unless you really want to work for Northwestern or something). Play around with a bright tie, scarf or shirt. “A little extra sprucing up is an important part of developing confidence, and that may include upgrading one’s interview wardrobe,” said Andrew Chastain in an article for the BNET Research Center. Remember, though, the most important thing is to look professional. Anything that does not make you look put-together and serious should not be on your body.
Become a people watcher.
At the interview, pay attention to what the company’s employees are wearing. This will not only give you a sense of the atmosphere but also an idea of what to wear for your second-round interviews or an actual day at work. You may want to play conservative for your first few encounters with the company, but once you get the job, try to blend in with the other people at work in terms of casual and formal dress.
Dress for the job you want, not for the one you have.
Imagine yourself at your dream internship. Maybe you’re running the newsroom; maybe you’re just making coffee. But visualize yourself in that role as you get dressed for your interview or meeting. You should look successful and confident. “It is much better to be overdressed than underdressed (or undressed),” said Allison Doyle, a job-search expert, in an interview with About.com. Turn to the glorious rumor of the man who went to an interview for an entry-level job, but instead was hired as an exec. “You were dressed too well for the job you were asking for,” the fabled employer explained.
And this isn’t fashion, but be honest.
No interviewee is expected to know the answer to every single question asked during the interview. Believe it or not, it is okay to admit that you do not know the answer to something. However, even if you don’t know, don’t just stop at “I don’t know.” Explain how you might approach the problem, showing your logic and your problem-solving strategies. Show them that you are indeed Northwestern material.
The people who will interview you have probably interviewed numerous people in the past. Thus, they will see right into your soul – they’ll know if you’re nervous or lying. So try not to appear too tense. Relax a little and be confident – if you’ve come as far as the interview, it means you’re better than most applicants. And I bet you look fabulous.