Interviews aren’t easy to swallow

There are few events in life that are quite as stressful as trying to find a job.

I should… There are few events in life that are quite as stressful as trying to find a job.

I should know. I spent last week as a nervous wreck, because of the most terrifying aspect, at least to me, of this process – the interview.

It probably didn’t help matters that it was also my midterm week, or the fact that I was deathly ill, or that my mind’s sole focus has been to count down to spring break. I walked around all week in a haze of cold medicine, clutching “How to Interview like a Top MBA” as though it was my new Bible.

Wednesday, and my first interview, rolled around much more quickly than I anticipated. I woke up even more sick than I had been, puking my guts out through the morning and early afternoon, even up to a half hour before my interview. I was trying to force down saltines and ginger ale in hopes that I wouldn’t vomit on the table during the interview.

Thus, walking into the interview, I felt as though I had lost all the preparation garnered from my job Bible and the practice Q ‘ A’s my Human Resources sister forced on me during family visits. All I had was the enthusiasm of landing the job – well, as much enthusiasm as a near-delirious person can muster. I think the delirium won.

All was going well, and as the vice president who was interviewing me questioned my choice to pursue a business path rather than one in media, I knew I could nail the answer. When I entered Pitt, I didn’t want to pigeonhole myself into one aspect of business, so I chose more open majors and decided to pursue an MBA later. Easy. But that wasn’t what came out of my mouth.

“I chose a path in communication and writing because I didn’t want to pigeon my hole.”

Did I just say that?

Mortified, I stopped talking and stared at the VP, who stared back at me. After what seemed like an eternity, he started to laugh, and once I could breathe again, I laughed, too.

“I’ve never heard that one before.”

Talk about an icebreaker. After that terrifying moment, I was able to relax and to really convey my interest in the position. So, I thought I’d pass on some more slightly unconventional interview tips that I’ve picked up along the way to future and present jobseekers.

When you arrive at the interview site 10-15 minutes early, of course, don’t continue to rifle through your portfolio or the company’s Web site printouts, attempting to memorize last minute details that will land you the job. This is like cramming outside of a classroom door, minutes before a final exam. It’s nearly impossible to retain any of the information at that point. Be prepared before you walk into the building.

This will also give you a chance to settle in and attempt to calm your nerves. In my typical fashion, I tend to try to strike up a conversation with anyone else who may be in the waiting area. Whether it’s a maintenance man, administrative assistant or fellow interviewee, I find it relaxing to engage in casual conversation. Bringing up the dreary Pittsburgh weather is always a sure bet to snag someone into at least a brief exchange.

Calming your nerves is crucial. The interviewer will not get to really see who you are and what you might offer to the company if you are an uptight candidate. Some nervous energy is good because it can keep you on your toes, but too much will make you clam up. I had a serious problem with this aspect of interviews.

You have to remind yourself that you have just as much of a chance at this position as anyone else who may be interviewing for it. So, what the hell, you may as well give it your best shot. At least you’ll be gaining some valuable interview practice if it doesn’t work out. But now you have to ask yourself: What if it does?

My brother-in-law, a district manager for a pharmaceutical sales company, passed on to me one of his surefire methods of receiving a follow-up after the interview. He made it his goal to make the interviewer smile and/or laugh at some point during the interview. This doesn’t mean to break out your stand-up comic skills or to lose your focus on the important questions. Rather, it just means to relax and be yourself, and I bet you can naturally draw a smile out of the interviewer.

Remember the traditional advice, too: proper dress and etiquette, firm handshake, eye contact, remember the interviewer’s name and follow up after the interview with a thank-you note.

Or you could just throw out some double entendres. That will get you remembered every time.

Have some tips for Jessica? E-mail her at jrp32@pitt.edu.